Borderlands 4 Earns Praise for Combat Overhaul as Reviews Go Live

Today, critics lifted the embargo on Borderlands 4, hailing the long-awaited looter-shooter’s refined gunplay, enhanced traversal and fresh narrative tone ahead of its global launch on September 12, 2025.

In-depth reviews published September 10 reveal that Gearbox Software’s sequel delivers on its promise to rejuvenate the franchise with slicker mechanics, a more grounded story and expansive, seamless world design-albeit with caveats around pacing and performance on older hardware.

Critics Laud Refined Combat and Mobility

Reviewers highlight Borderlands 4’s overhauled combat systems and verticality as significant upgrades. The introduction of dashing, double-jumping, gliding and grappling hooks transforms encounters into dynamic, strategic showdowns, offering more freedom than ever before. The skill trees receive particular praise for accommodating diverse playstyles, with summons and elemental perks adding depth to builds. The iconic cell-shaded visuals also benefit from Unreal Engine 5, appearing sharper and more detailed without losing the series’ distinctive flair.

Darker Tone and World Building

Borderlands 4 shifts its setting to the oppressive planet Kairos, ruled by an immortal technocrat known as the Timekeeper. Critics appreciate the darker, more coherent narrative, seeing it as a welcome evolution from the series’ trademark toilet humour. While some note lingering tonal inconsistencies, most agree that the new world promises engaging lore and stronger character motivations, marking a step toward a more mature storytelling approach.

Technical Hurdles and Performance Concerns

Despite technical leaps, several reviews warn of performance issues on below-spec machines. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford cautions that running the Day 1 patched game on older hardware may yield stuttering and sub-60 FPS in heavy combat scenarios. Critics recommend investing in current-generation consoles or a high-end PC with SSD storage for a smooth experience.

  • Loading times between areas have been virtually eliminated, but some slower fetch missions still disrupt pacing.
  • Day 1 patch improves stability, yet frame drops persist on HDD setups.
  • Recommended specifications exceed those of Borderlands 3, reflecting the game’s ambitious open-world design.

Looking Ahead

Borderlands 4’s early reviews set a positive tone for launch, with most scores clustering in the 8-9 out of 10 range. While not without its flaws, the sequel’s combination of fast-paced combat, innovative traversal and darker narrative signals a strong revival of the beloved franchise-and positions Gearbox to reclaim its throne in the looter-shooter genre.