Borderlands 4 lands on PlayStation 5 as both a continuation and a reinvention of Gearbox Software’s iconic looter-shooter formula. Published by 2K, the game transports players to Kairos, a planet under the suffocating rule of the Timekeeper, a villain who is at once charismatic and terrifying. The setup feels familiar in its “fight the tyrant” narrative, yet the way it’s framed within a crumbling society adds weight and urgency to the chaos. Storytelling has always been a tricky balance for the series, but here it manages to blend irreverent humor with darker undertones, creating a villain that feels genuinely threatening while still leaving room for the franchise’s trademark absurdity.
The campaign introduces four new Vault Hunters, each with distinctive abilities and branching skill trees that allow for deeper customization than before. This flexibility is one of the game’s strengths: players can build wildly different characters, leaning into mobility, tankiness, or ranged devastation depending on playstyle. The moment-to-moment action benefits from expanded movement options like double jumps, grappling, and gliding, which give firefights a dynamic, vertical edge. The sheer variety of weapons is as outrageous as ever, though with billions on offer, not all of them feel equally meaningful. Gear progression can feel uneven, with spikes in weapon quality that occasionally stall momentum, but when the loot loop clicks, it’s as addictive as the series has ever been.
Combat itself is fast, chaotic, and immensely satisfying, especially when paired with the new traversal mechanics. Areas are designed to encourage creative use of movement, and boss battles feel more varied than in earlier entries. The game shines in co-op, with scaling systems ensuring that groups of mixed levels can still have fun together, though solo play remains a viable and rewarding option. That said, the sheer volume of firefights and loot drops can feel overwhelming, and some players may find the pacing exhausting during longer sessions. The mix of structured missions and freeform exploration on Kairos helps alleviate this, giving players space to breathe between all-out firefights.
Controls on the PlayStation 5 are sharp and responsive, with adaptive triggers adding tactile feedback that makes each weapon type distinct. Gunplay feels weighty, movement is smooth, and the new mobility options integrate seamlessly into combat once mastered. There’s a slight learning curve in juggling these tools during high-intensity encounters, but once it clicks, the sense of fluidity and control is remarkable. Load times are minimal, which helps keep the momentum going, though occasional technical hiccups like frame drops were seen during the busiest on-screen moments.
Visually, Borderlands 4 sticks to its trademark cel-shaded aesthetic but evolves it with richer environments and more dynamic lighting. Kairos is a striking world, ranging from desolate deserts to lush peaks, and the hover bike makes exploration engaging in its own right. Character designs are bold and memorable, though the exaggerated style won’t appeal to everyone. The audio package complements the chaos, with an energetic score, punchy weapon sounds, and voice acting that sells both the humor and menace of the cast. The Timekeeper in particular is elevated by strong vocal work that cements him as one of the series’ standout villains.
Where Borderlands 4 falters is in its adherence to series tradition. For all its new mechanics, the game still leans heavily on the familiar loop of shooting, looting, and joking its way forward. Fans of the formula will find it refined and expanded, but those hoping for a bold narrative or structural departure may find the experience too comfortable. Even so, this remains one of the most polished and ambitious entries in the franchise, delivering frenetic combat, absurd weapons, and co-op mayhem on a grander scale than ever before – and perhaps we’ll see DLC that will explore different directions. It wouldn’t be a first for the series if we do.
On PlayStation 5, Borderlands 4 thrives as a showcase of chaotic fun wrapped in an anarchic package. It isn’t a complete reinvention, but rather a confident modernization that respects its roots while giving players new ways to revel in the madness. With a compelling villain, expanded movement, and endless loot-driven mayhem, it’s exactly the kind of game that will keep fans coming back – either alone or with friends – for another round of explosive cel-shaded fun.
Score: 8.4/10
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