Borderlands have always been about chaos, comedy, and most importantly, the chase for loot. Four entries in, Gearbox has finally delivered what I would consider the best Borderlands game to date. Borderlands 4 amplifies the experience with a massive open world, vertical combat options, and a loot system that feels more rewarding than ever. While there are blemishes that stop it short of perfection, the overall package makes this a looter-shooter that fans and newcomers alike should not miss.
Clap is Always Trapped
Borderlands 2 cemented itself in gaming history largely due to one figure: Handsome Jack. His presence was magnetic, equal parts charming and infuriating, and every villain since has had a hard time reaching those heights. Borderlands 4’s antagonist has his moments, with quips and menacing setups, but he simply never hits that same level of iconic stature. That’s not to say the story is a failure—on the contrary, it’s an entertaining romp across Kairos, filled with outlandish set pieces, memorable allies, and the kind of irreverent humor the series is known for.
The plot delivers just enough hooks to keep momentum flowing. It balances serious beats with comedy in a way that feels aligned with Borderlands tradition. What it lacks in villain charisma, it makes up for with an adventurous tone and the promise of what lies just beyond the next firefight. For me, the slightly underwhelming antagonist didn’t ruin the experience—it just left me nostalgic for the days of Jack while I happily drowned in loot.
UE5 Woes That’s Worth the Tradeoff
Borderlands 4 takes full advantage of Unreal Engine 5, and it shows. The cel-shaded aesthetic has never looked sharper, with bold outlines enhanced by UE5’s Lumen technology. Lighting is dynamic and reactive in a way that makes firefights glow with cinematic brilliance. Sunsets on Kairos paint the horizon with rich warmth, neon cities pop with electric vibrancy, and darker caves feel moody with ray-traced global illumination bouncing from water and metallic surfaces.
Despite the technical leap, performance issues remain a thorn in the experience. Frame stutters, inconsistent optimization, and lengthy load times are not uncommon, especially in crowded firefights. It’s frustrating, because the game looks absolutely fantastic, but that visual brilliance comes at the cost of stability. The good news is that even with these flaws, the presentation is captivating enough to push you forward. Each biome feels alive, varied, and ripe with secrets, collectibles, and a surprising amount of side content that enhances the open-world journey.
The Shiny Bits That Count
This is where Borderlands 4 absolutely thrives. The gunplay remains as chaotic and ridiculous as ever, but the additions to traversal elevate everything. Double jumps, grappling hooks, wall climbs, and gliding create new layers of combat strategy. Enemy encounters are no longer restricted to flat planes—fights now spill upward and outward, giving each battle a refreshing sense of scale. MY biggest issue though, is the fact that enemies spawn their own turrets and it’s ALWAYS out of view, so when playing on Hard (as you should) they hit like a truck if your gear isn’t up to par (which happens a lot given you’re constantly switching). I eventually got to a point where I know they will throw these turrets and now I decimate it immediately, but they’re still a pain in the arse.
Loot remains the lifeblood of Borderlands, and Gearbox has refined it to near perfection here. Legendary weapons are tougher to find, but that scarcity makes every drop a thrill. When that orange glow finally hits the ground, it feels genuinely special. Weapon variety is staggering, from shotguns that shoot black holes to sniper rifles that explode into swarms of missiles. Build crafting has also reached new heights, with skill trees and gear synergies that encourage endless experimentation. I spent hours fine-tuning my Vault Hunter, and the possibilities only expanded as better gear rolled in. It’s intoxicating. The open world design complements this perfectly. Kairos is filled with distractions that never feel like padding. Collectibles are sprinkled just enough to encourage exploration without overwhelming the player. Side missions show real variety, ranging from quirky character-driven errands to massive encounters against world bosses. Those bosses are particularly noteworthy, offering multi-phase challenges that feel worth the grind and drop loot that’s always tempting to chase, like boss-specific ones.
If I had one personal request, it would be more customization for the Vault Hunters themselves. Being locked into set characters feels limiting in 2025. I wanted the ability to swap genders, alter physical appearances, or push creativity further. The series thrives on individuality and personality, so more flexibility in creating your version of a Vault Hunter would have made the experience even better. Even with that caveat, the sheer fun factor cannot be denied. Loot, movement, combat flow, and build experimentation merge into something addictive. The percentage drops on rare gear might frustrate some, but I found the chase exhilarating. Borderlands have always been about the loot grind, and Borderlands 4 doubles down on that ethos in the best possible way.
REVIEW SCORE: 8.5/10
Borderlands 4 is the strongest entry in the franchise, plain and simple. It’s a gorgeous, chaotic, and addictive looter-shooter that understands exactly what its players want: an endless chase for better loot and the freedom to experiment with builds in every imaginable way. The story is enjoyable even if the villain can’t step into Handsome Jack’s shoes, and the world itself is brimming with fun distractions and thrilling boss fights.
Performance issues and limited Vault Hunter customization hold it back from being flawless, but they don’t outweigh the immense joy this game delivers. Borderlands have always been about the mayhem and the loot, and Borderlands 4 nails both better than ever before.
For more on Borderlands 4 and gaming, follow my socials here – I also stream Mon | Tues | Thurs | Fri @10pm ET over on Twitch, Kick, TikTok, and YouTube
