Summary
- Borderlands 4 must mature its humor and evolve gameplay for longevity.
- The game needs character-driven storytelling and an engaging endgame.
- Showing some depth amidst its irreverence would be a sign of a more promising future.
Borderlands 4 is one of 2025's most anticipated games, after fans have now had to wait over five years since the release of its predecessor for the next entry. Based on what has been revealed so far, it looks like Borderlands 4 is doing its best not to just be another Borderlands game, with brand-new features including four brand-new Vault Hunters, a new planet, a fresh take on vehicles, an original story, a seamless world, and even a more realistic art style. However, even with all those changes and additions, the Borderlands series still finds itself at an important crossroads with Borderlands 4, where it needs to decide what it was, what it is, and what it should be moving forward.
When Borderlands launched in 2009, it practically invented the looter shooter. But now, it's no longer a leader and is instead simply part of the crowd. As such, Borderlands 4 can't afford to just be another Borderlands game, as it needs to somehow reassert its identity in the increasingly competitive genre it calls home. If the humor hasn't matured, if the gameplay doesn't evolve, and if the world feels like it's on rails, people may check out. Additionally, it needs more engaging and emotional storytelling, deeper customization, more dramatic themes, and an evolving endgame if it hopes to stay relevant.
Borderlands 4’s Latest Tease Would Be a Logical Progression for the Series
Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford recently got fans hyped for a potential Borderlands 4 feature, and it would actually be a natural direction for the series.
Borderlands 4 Can't Be Just Another Borderlands Game
Borderlands 4 Needs More Mature Humor and Evolved Gameplay
The Borderlands series has always embraced absurdity, to the point that it is one of the franchise's most notable characteristics. During the Xbox 360 and PS3 era, its immature and outlandish humor is a significant part of what made the series feel distinct from other titles. But in a post-Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate 3, and Alan Wake 2 world, Borderlands 4 would be remiss not to grow the series up a little with more mature humor.
Borderlands 2, which is widely considered the best Borderlands game ever made, somehow managed to strike a balance between irreverent humor and emotional storytelling, only for Borderlands 3's endless meme references and juvenile gags to somewhat undo that legacy. When Borderlands 3 launched, the series' knack for what is truly humorous started to show its age, and Borderlands 4 can't afford to continue that trend. Borderlands 4 doesn't need to abandon humor entirely, but it will be at its best if it's character-driven, self-aware without being self-indulgent, and emotionally driven.
Fortunately, Gearbox has already confirmed that Borderlands 4 will have less toilet humor than Borderlands 3, which is a good sign for the comedy overall.
Gameplay-wise, the Borderlands loop is iconic: find guns, shoot enemies, loot better guns, and repeat. However, other looter-shooters have evolved in ways Borderlands has yet to catch up with. Specifically, Borderlands 4 would be remiss to rely on its once-beloved gameplay loop to increase its longevity. Perhaps, if Borderlands 4 implemented weapon customization and a greater focus on hybridization in builds and weapon selection, it might find players more willing to stick around for the long haul.
Borderlands 4's Story Needs to Be Emotionally Engaging With a Worthwhile Endgame
Despite its over-the-top and indecent humor, Borderlands has often shown how capable it is of quietly telling emotionally engaging stories, and Borderlands 4 can't be any different. After Borderlands 3 showed potential for some compelling narratives, most of them were overshadowed by two rather irritating antagonists, cringey dialogue, and an inconsistent tone overall. In response, Borderlands 4's story needs to have high stakes, with strong character-driven narratives and emotional consequences.
Once Borderlands 4's story concludes, however, it should follow with a worthwhile endgame that will keep players invested beyond the credits. An unfulfilling endgame was one of Borderlands 3's biggest weaknesses, as it felt repetitive after a short amount of time, despite an avalanche of loot for players to collect. For Borderlands 4, a worthwhile endgame is almost necessary, not just to keep players around, but to add more weight to the story that precedes it. If players defeat the final boss and all that's left is farming guns they already own, the emotional payoff is going to fizzle out.
Despite its over-the-top and indecent humor, Borderlands has often shown how capable it is of quietly telling emotionally engaging stories, and Borderlands 4 can't be any different.
When all is said and done, Borderlands 4 may be the franchise's last chance to innovate. If it doesn't essentially make this a fresh start for the series, longtime fans may feel they've only received more of the same, and any newcomers might feel less inclined to engage with it due to its unevolved gameplay, humor, and story. Fortunately, it is showing signs of breathing new life into the franchise, so a fresh start may indeed be what Borderlands gets with Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
