Borderlands 4 Review Is It Worth Playing In 2024

Sep 12, 2025 by JOE 49 views

Hey Vault Hunters! The burning question on everyone's mind is: "Is Borderlands 4 worth playing in 2024?" Well, buckle up, because we're diving deep into the chaotic world of Pandora (and maybe beyond!) to give you the lowdown. We'll dissect everything from gameplay mechanics and story elements to graphics and replayability to help you decide if this looter-shooter extravaganza is your next big obsession. Get ready for a wild ride!

What Makes Borderlands, Borderlands?

Before we get into the specifics of a hypothetical Borderlands 4, let’s talk about what makes the series so unique and beloved in the first place. The Borderlands franchise is known for a few key ingredients, and these elements are what fans expect in any new installment. Let's break down the core elements that define a Borderlands game:

Loot, Loot, and More Loot: This is the heart and soul of Borderlands. We're talking about an insane amount of guns – millions, maybe even billions, of variations. From pistols that shoot fire to shotguns that explode into tiny bouncing bombs, the sheer variety of weaponry is staggering. This constant quest for better gear keeps players hooked, always on the hunt for that perfect weapon to add to their arsenal.
The Chaotic Gunplay: The gunplay in Borderlands is over-the-top and incredibly satisfying. Each gun feels unique, with different firing patterns, reload animations, and special effects. The enemies are just as diverse, ranging from skags and psychos to hulking brutes and heavily armored robots. The action is fast-paced and frenetic, and the game encourages you to experiment with different weapons and tactics to find your preferred playstyle.
Vault Hunters with Unique Abilities: Borderlands is all about its playable characters, the Vault Hunters. Each Vault Hunter has a distinct personality, backstory, and skill tree. Their unique abilities, or Action Skills, can drastically change how you approach combat. Whether you're a siren who can phase through enemies, a gunzerker who can dual-wield any weapon, or a beastmaster who can command a pack of creatures, there's a Vault Hunter for everyone. This variety adds immense replayability to the game, as each character offers a fresh experience.
The Quirky Story and Humor: Borderlands isn't just about shooting and looting; it's also about its quirky story and sense of humor. The games are filled with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and absurd situations. The villains are often just as charismatic and over-the-top as the heroes, and the story keeps you engaged with its twists and turns. The humor is a blend of slapstick, dark comedy, and self-aware jokes that perfectly complements the chaotic action.
Co-op Mayhem: Borderlands is at its best when played with friends. The game is designed for cooperative play, allowing you and up to three other players to team up and tackle the challenges of Pandora (or other planets!). Playing with friends amplifies the fun exponentially, as you can coordinate your abilities, share loot, and laugh together at the ridiculous antics that unfold.

These core elements are what make Borderlands such a beloved franchise. Any new installment needs to capture these qualities while also innovating and adding fresh ideas to keep the series exciting. So, with that in mind, let's explore what we might expect from Borderlands 4.

What We Want to See in Borderlands 4

If Gearbox is cooking up a Borderlands 4, there are definitely some things we're hoping to see. While the core formula of the series is solid, there's always room for improvement and innovation. Here's a wishlist of features and improvements that could make Borderlands 4 the best in the series:

A Compelling Story with Memorable Characters: While the Borderlands games are known for their humor and over-the-top action, a strong story can elevate the experience even further. We want a narrative that's engaging, with characters we can root for (or love to hate). The villains, in particular, need to be memorable and charismatic, following in the footsteps of Handsome Jack and the Calypso Twins. A compelling story gives the looting and shooting a sense of purpose, making the game more than just a mindless grind.
Fresh and Innovative Gameplay Mechanics: The Borderlands formula is tried and true, but it's time for some fresh ideas. Maybe we'll see new traversal mechanics, expanded vehicle combat, or even more in-depth character customization options. One popular request is for a more robust crafting system, allowing players to create their own unique weapons and gear. Innovation is key to keeping the series feeling fresh and exciting, and we're eager to see what Gearbox comes up with.
Diverse and Interesting Environments: Pandora is iconic, but the Borderlands universe is vast, and there are plenty of other planets and locations to explore. We want to see diverse environments, each with its own unique challenges and enemies. Imagine exploring lush alien jungles, desolate ice planets, or sprawling futuristic cities. Variety in environments keeps the game visually interesting and adds to the sense of adventure.
Meaningful Endgame Content: The endgame is where many players spend the majority of their time in Borderlands, so it's crucial to have meaningful activities to keep them engaged. This could include challenging raids, procedurally generated dungeons, or even a system for scaling difficulty to match your character's power. A robust endgame ensures that the game has long-term replayability and keeps players coming back for more.
Improved Performance and Stability: Let's be honest, some of the previous Borderlands games have had their share of technical issues, especially at launch. We're hoping that Borderlands 4 will be optimized for a smooth and stable experience on all platforms. This means addressing bugs, improving performance, and ensuring that the game runs well even in co-op with multiple players. A polished and stable game is essential for a positive player experience.
Cross-Platform Play: In this day and age, cross-platform play is becoming increasingly important. Allowing players on different platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox) to play together would greatly expand the player base and make it easier to team up with friends. Cross-platform play fosters a sense of community and ensures that players can always find someone to play with.

These are just a few of the things we're hoping to see in Borderlands 4. The potential for this game is huge, and we're excited to see what Gearbox has in store for us.

Borderlands 4: Potential Vault Hunters

The Vault Hunters are the heart and soul of any Borderlands game, and the character selection can make or break the experience. Each Vault Hunter brings their unique abilities, playstyles, and personalities to the table, offering a fresh way to experience the game. So, who could we see joining the roster in Borderlands 4? Here are a few ideas for potential Vault Hunters, drawing inspiration from past classes and adding some new twists:

The Tactician: A strategic mastermind who excels at controlling the battlefield. Their Action Skill could involve deploying drones, setting up turrets, or even manipulating enemy AI. This Vault Hunter would be perfect for players who enjoy a more methodical and tactical approach to combat. Imagine setting up a network of turrets to mow down hordes of enemies, or using a drone to scout ahead and identify threats.
The Elementalist: A master of elemental magic, wielding fire, ice, lightning, and more. Their Action Skill could involve summoning elemental storms, unleashing powerful elemental blasts, or even imbuing their weapons with elemental damage. This Vault Hunter would be a glass cannon, capable of dealing massive damage but vulnerable to enemy attacks. Picture yourself raining down fire and lightning on your foes, or freezing them solid with a blast of ice.
The Gladiator: A melee-focused powerhouse who thrives in close-quarters combat. Their Action Skill could involve unleashing a flurry of devastating attacks, entering a rage mode that enhances their strength and speed, or even wielding a massive two-handed weapon. This Vault Hunter would be perfect for players who love to get up close and personal with their enemies. Envision yourself charging into the fray, hacking and slashing your way through hordes of enemies.
The Infiltrator: A stealthy assassin who excels at deception and subterfuge. Their Action Skill could involve cloaking themselves, deploying decoys, or even using hacking abilities to turn enemies against each other. This Vault Hunter would be ideal for players who prefer a more sneaky and tactical playstyle. Think about slipping past enemy patrols undetected, or hacking into a security system to open up new pathways.
The Beastmaster 2.0: Following in the footsteps of FL4K from Borderlands 3, this Vault Hunter would command a stable of loyal creatures. However, instead of just having one main pet, this Beastmaster could have multiple creatures that they can summon and control simultaneously. This could lead to some interesting tactical possibilities, as you could mix and match different creatures to suit your playstyle. Imagine commanding a pack of ferocious beasts, each with its own unique abilities and strengths.

These are just a few ideas, of course, and Gearbox could come up with something entirely new and unexpected. The key is to create Vault Hunters that are diverse, interesting, and fun to play. A strong roster of characters is essential for a great Borderlands game.

Potential Storylines and Settings for Borderlands 4

The story and setting are crucial for any Borderlands game. While the core gameplay loop of shooting and looting is addictive, it's the narrative and world-building that truly immerse you in the experience. So, what kind of story could Borderlands 4 tell, and where could it take place? Here are a few possibilities:

The Search for New Vaults: This is the most obvious and expected direction for the story. The Borderlands universe is filled with ancient Vaults, each containing powerful alien technology and untold riches. A new game could focus on the Vault Hunters' quest to discover new Vaults, facing off against rival factions and uncovering long-lost secrets. The search for Vaults is the central theme of the series, and it provides a natural framework for a new game.
The Rise of a New Villain: Borderlands has a knack for creating memorable villains, and a new game could introduce a compelling antagonist with their own motivations and agenda. This villain could be a charismatic cult leader, a ruthless corporate CEO, or even a powerful alien entity. A strong villain can drive the narrative and provide a worthy challenge for the Vault Hunters.
Exploring New Planets and Galaxies: While Pandora is iconic, the Borderlands universe is vast, and there are plenty of other planets and galaxies to explore. Borderlands 3 hinted at a much larger universe, and Borderlands 4 could take us to new and exciting locations. Imagine exploring lush alien jungles, desolate ice planets, or sprawling futuristic cities. New settings can add variety and visual interest to the game, and they can also introduce new enemies and challenges.
The Return of Familiar Faces: The Borderlands universe is filled with memorable characters, and a new game could bring back some fan favorites. This could include Vault Hunters from previous games, as well as supporting characters like Claptrap, Marcus, and Moxxi. The return of familiar faces can create a sense of nostalgia and connect the new game to the existing lore.
A More Personal Story: While the Borderlands games are known for their over-the-top humor and action, a new game could explore more personal themes and character arcs. This could involve delving into the backstories of the Vault Hunters, exploring their relationships with each other, or even tackling more serious topics like loss and redemption. A more personal story can add emotional depth to the game and make the characters more relatable.

These are just a few ideas, and the possibilities are endless. The key is to create a story and setting that are engaging, imaginative, and true to the spirit of Borderlands.

Borderlands 4 in 2024: Is It Worth the Hype?

So, coming back to the original question: Is Borderlands 4 worth playing in 2024? While we can't definitively answer that question until the game is actually released, we can certainly speculate based on what we know about the series and what we've seen from Gearbox in the past.

If Borderlands 4 delivers on its potential, it could be one of the biggest and best looter-shooters of the year. The core formula of the series is still incredibly compelling, and there's plenty of room for innovation and improvement. If Gearbox can nail the story, characters, gameplay, and endgame content, Borderlands 4 could be a must-play title for fans of the genre. The hype is definitely real, but it's up to Gearbox to deliver on that promise.

Final Thoughts

Borderlands 4 has the potential to be a truly special game. With its unique blend of chaotic gunplay, quirky humor, and addictive loot, the series has carved out a unique niche in the gaming landscape. If Gearbox can build upon the foundation of the previous games and add some fresh ideas, Borderlands 4 could be a masterpiece. We're eagerly awaiting more news and updates, and we can't wait to see what Pandora (or beyond!) has in store for us. What are your hopes for Borderlands 4? Let us know in the comments below! The future of Borderlands looks bright, and we're excited to be a part of the journey.