Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 marks the fifth main entry in Gearbox Software's acclaimed looter-shooter franchise, moving the series forward with a notably darker tone and a new planetary setting. Announced at Gamescom on August 20, 2024, for a September 12, 2025 release, the game is set on the world of Kairos. The narrative picks up six years after the events of *Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel*, where the moon Elpis was teleported into Kairos's orbit. This "Moonfall" incident shattered the shield that had kept the planet hidden, plunging it into chaos and challenging the iron-fisted rule of its dictator, The Timekeeper. Players are thrust into this conflict, opposing The Timekeeper's Order forces alongside factions like the Crimson Resistance and the bandit army known as The Rippers. The story begins with a new generation of Vault Hunters arriving on Kairos, only to be swiftly captured by The Timekeeper and fitted with mind-control bolts. Their rescue comes at a great cost, as Arjay of the Crimson Resistance sacrifices himself to free them, an act that sets a grim tone for the ensuing adventure. The Vault Hunters find the Resistance in shambles, led by its sole surviving member, Claptrap, who tasks them with rebuilding the rebellion. This core objective drives the first half of the game, as players must forge alliances with various groups across Kairos, including stranded off-worlders called the Outbounders, a faction of disgruntled nobles known as the Electi, and the native, Eridium-revering Augers. The path to challenging The Timekeeper requires defeating his three chief lieutenants—Idolator Sol, Vile Lictor, and Callis—to acquire their command bolts, the keys to accessing his stronghold. As the narrative unfolds, familiar faces from the series make their return, integrating themselves into the conflict on Kairos. The Vault Hunter Zane appears, having crash-landed with Moxxi, and lends his aid to the Electi. Amara, another former Vault Hunter, arrives on the planet in her search for the missing Lilith, providing crucial insight into the Timekeeper's research into Sirens and the mysterious Phase Dimension. The plot thickens with betrayal and unexpected twists, such as the lieutenant Callis turning against her master in a bid for godhood and the tragic revelation that the Resistance ally Arjay survived his initial sacrifice, only to be tortured and transformed into an unstable, artificial Siren bent on revenge. The climax involves a daring mission to the fractured remains of Elpis to rescue Lilith from the Phase Dimension, a final assault on The Timekeeper's capital, and the ultimate discovery that the dictator is, in fact, an ancient Vault Guardian. The player experiences this story through one of four new character classes. Vex the Siren is a cynical but empathetic hero with a difficult past. Rafa the Exo-Soldier is a former Tediore operative on the run, confined to a powerful suit that keeps him alive. Harlowe the Gravitar is a brilliant and enthusiastic ex-Maliwan scientist who brings high-tech gadgetry to the fight. Finally, Amon the Forgeknight is a stoic warrior-poet, the sole survivor of a Vault monster-worshipping cult, now dedicated to hunting such beasts. These characters are further complemented by plans for at least two additional DLC Vault Hunters, beginning with a robot named C4SH. Gameplay in Borderlands 4 has been significantly evolved to create a more open and immersive experience. The world of Kairos is designed for seamless travel between its four major zones, supported by a vehicle-on-demand system and dynamic weather. In a notable departure from series tradition, the mini-map has been replaced with a compass to encourage more direct engagement with the environment. Player mobility is greatly enhanced with new mechanics like a dash, slide, double jump, climbing, a point grapple, and the ability to glide. Character progression has also been deepened; each Vault Hunter now possesses three switchable Action Skills, which can be customized with augments and powerful capstones. This, combined with a unique passive "trait" for each character, offers a greater degree of build diversity and strategic depth, promising a robust and modern evolution for the beloved franchise.