Borderlands 4 Review: Gearbox’s Looter Shooter Returns to Form
▼ Summary
– Borderlands 4 is the best entry in the series, offering highly enjoyable looter shooter gameplay and a fresh start with strong confidence.
– The game features well-written, charming characters and notably makes Claptrap likeable, improving significantly on prior entries’ humor and writing.
– It introduces a seamless open world on the planet Kairos, enhancing exploration but causing performance issues, especially on PC.
– Core gameplay remains strong with varied guns, grenades, and abilities, plus new traversal options like grappling and gliding that improve movement.
– Despite some unfulfilling side challenges and performance hitches, the overall experience is compelling and marks a major improvement for the series.
Borderlands 4 marks a triumphant return to form for Gearbox’s beloved looter shooter series, delivering a fresh and engaging experience that recaptures the magic many felt was missing in recent entries. This installment stands out with its refined humor, compelling characters, and satisfying gameplay loop, making it the strongest Borderlands title to date.
Having grown somewhat disillusioned with the franchise after Borderlands 3 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, I approached this new chapter with cautious optimism. To my delight, Borderlands 4 won me over completely. It skillfully blends the series’ signature irreverence with a more mature tone, ensuring that both dramatic moments and comedic beats land effectively. Even Claptrap, historically a polarizing figure, emerges as genuinely likable here.
Set on the time-fractured planet of Kairos, the narrative follows a straightforward but effective resistance story against the tyrannical Timekeeper. While the main antagonist may not break new ground, the writing across the board is sharper and more consistent than in previous games. Each Vault Hunter bursts with personality, and supporting characters, both new and returning, are surprisingly well-developed and memorable.
Where Borderlands 4 truly shines is in its gameplay. The shift to a fully open world is a significant evolution for the series. Kairos’s three distinct biomes are seamlessly connected, reducing loading screens and encouraging exploration. Traversal has never felt better, thanks to new mechanics like a grapple hook, glider, and air dash. These additions make navigating the environment and engaging in combat more dynamic and enjoyable.
The core loot-and-shoot loop remains as addictive as ever. Weapon variety is staggering, with guns now composed of modular parts from different manufacturers, allowing for deeply customizable and synergistic builds. Grenades have also been reimagined, offering everything from throwing knives to deployable ordnance, all replenished on a cooldown rather than through ammo drops.
Despite these strengths, the game isn’t without its flaws. Performance on PC can be inconsistent, with noticeable frame drops and hitches even on capable hardware. Some graphical settings occasionally reset between sessions, requiring manual readjustment. Additionally, certain enemy modifiers, like regenerating health or extra armor bars, can feel more tedious than challenging, turning fights into exercises in patience rather than skill.
Side content, while plentiful, doesn’t always feel rewarding. Many optional activities offer functional but uninspiring upgrades, such as expanded ammo capacity or inventory space, which may not motivate players to pursue full completion.
On the audio front, Borderlands 4 excels. The soundtrack dynamically complements combat encounters, with different factions triggering distinct musical styles, punk rock for the Rippers, techno for the robotic Order. It’s a subtle but effective touch that enhances immersion.
Accessibility options are comprehensive, featuring customizable subtitles, audio presets for hearing impairment, and colorblind modes. There’s even a dedicated volume slider for Claptrap, a welcome nod to player preference.
For those who have felt the series lost its way, Borderlands 4 is a welcome comeback. It combines the best elements of earlier titles with meaningful innovations, resulting in a confident and highly entertaining experience. Despite some technical hiccups, this is the most fun I’ve had with Borderlands in over a decade.
(Source: techradar)
