The fourth installment of the Borderlands series marks a notable shift in tone for the famously irreverent looter-shooter franchise. While retaining its signature cel-shaded visuals and weapon-heavy gameplay, this entry demonstrates a welcome maturation that longtime fans will appreciate.
Set on the new planet of Kairos, players find themselves leading a resistance against the tyrannical Timekeeper. The narrative follows a familiar structure of rallying oppressed locals and dismantling the regime’s control systems, but gains depth through unexpected story detours and surreal side quests that emerge after the initial hours.
Players choose from four distinct character classes: a Siren with summoning abilities, an enhanced Exosoldier, a heavily armored Forgeknight, and a technology-focused Gravitar. Each brings unique battlefield skills that prove crucial during intense combat encounters, ranging from deploying phantom reapers to setting up defensive shields.
Movement mechanics receive significant upgrades, introducing a grappling hook, hover-bike, and enhanced jump-and-glide capabilities that enhance both exploration and combat fluidity. These improvements translate well to the series’ cooperative multiplayer, which continues to support four-player sessions.
The game delivers an extensive experience, with the main campaign spanning approximately 20-30 hours and substantial post-game content. Some technical issues have been reported at launch, including occasional crashes and performance inconsistencies, though these are expected to be addressed through updates.
What sets this installment apart is its more measured approach to humor and character development. While the series’ trademark comedy remains present, it demonstrates greater sophistication than previous entries. The returning cast exhibits more nuanced personalities, moving away from the excessive manic energy that sometimes characterized earlier games.
The core shooting mechanics remain polished and satisfying, with an expanded arsenal that offers numerous standout weapons for players who invest time in sorting through the extensive loot system. Environmental puzzles and dungeon-like vaults provide engaging diversions from the primary objectives.
Despite some navigation challenges with an occasionally unreliable directional system and the need for significant traversal between mission areas, Borderlands 4 represents a meaningful evolution for the franchise. It maintains the chaotic charm that defines the series while embracing a more refined presentation that should appeal to both returning players and newcomers.
