Borderlands 4 Review: A Fresh Start for the Franchise?

Borderlands 4 is a strong refresh of the series’ core looter-shooter formula, according to the reviews available: its combat, loot chase and more open exploration are compelling, but performance hitches and uneven optional activities keep it from being an uncomplicated upgrade. If you want build-driven shooting and co-op, it looks promising; if you expect consistently polished performance or every diversion to feel worthwhile, temper expectations.

What’s new in Borderlands 4?

Developed by Gearbox and published by 2K, Borderlands 4 moves the action to Kairos. Its world is more seamless than earlier entries, and new traversal options support exploration across three major biomes. The game also centers build-focused Vault Hunters, extending the familiar cycle of finding weapons, trying combinations and taking on tougher enemies.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Borderlands 4 Standard - PC Steam [Online Game Code]	$69.99	Buy on Amazon
2		Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]	$129.99	Buy on Amazon
3		POP Funko Games: Borderlands 4 - Claptrap	$13.61	Buy on Amazon
4		Borderlands 4 - PlayStation 5	$27.98	Buy on Amazon
5		Borderlands 4 Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]	$99.99	Buy on Amazon

The shift is meaningful in how the game connects its combat and exploration, rather than a departure from the series’ looter-shooter identity. TechRadar’s review describes the loot chase as satisfying and notes that the writing tones down some of the franchise’s dated meme humor. PC Gamer likewise calls the core loop exceptionally absorbing, while also noting clunky elements. These are reviewers’ impressions, not a controlled comparison with previous games.

How good are the combat, loot and exploration?

The core loop is the main attraction

Both reviews point to the same strength: shooting enemies, collecting gear and developing a build can make it difficult to put the game down. PC Gamer’s reviewer reported 47 hours of play; TechRadar’s reviewer said their first playthrough lasted 40 hours. Those are individual review playtimes, not official estimates of how long the game takes to finish.

#1 Best Overall

Borderlands 4 Standard - PC Steam [Online Game Code]

• Pre-order Borderlands 4 and receive the Gilded Glory Pack featuring a Vault Hunter Skin, a Weapon Skin, and an ECHO-4 Drone Skin!*
• BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
• FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
• LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.

$69.99

Buy on Amazon

Exploration has more room to breathe

TechRadar describes the world as mostly seamless, with three major biomes. That structure and the added traversal make exploring Kairos a larger part of the experience. But openness alone does not make every activity worthwhile: TechRadar found that some optional diversions were less rewarding than the main combat-and-loot loop.

Writing is a matter of taste

TechRadar sees the reduced reliance on dated meme humor as a welcome change. That may suit players who found earlier games’ comedy grating, but the available reviews do not establish that every part of the writing will work for every player.

Rank #2

Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]

• Pre-purchase now. Playable on 2025-09-12. Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition includes: Full base game, the Pre-Order Bonus: Gilded Glory Pack*, the Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin, the Bounty Pack Bundle**, the Ornate Order Pack, and the Vault Hunter Pack***.
• BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
• FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
• LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.

$129.99

Buy on Amazon

Is Borderlands 4 better than Borderlands 3?

There is no definitive head-to-head verdict in the cited reviews. They do not test both games under the same conditions, so a blanket claim that Borderlands 4 is better would go beyond the evidence. A more useful comparison is to consider what matters most to you:

• Combat and traversal: Borderlands 4 adds new traversal and a more seamless setting; whether that feels better depends on how much you value movement and exploration alongside shooting.
• Loot and builds: Reviewers praise the new game’s loot-and-shooting loop, but the reviews do not establish a controlled comparison of build depth with Borderlands 3.
• Writing and humor: TechRadar welcomes the toned-down meme humor. Comedy remains subjective.
• Optional activities: TechRadar found some diversions less rewarding, a consideration if you like completing everything on the map.
• Performance: Results depend on platform and hardware. TechRadar reported hitches on its review PC; that is not a universal performance measurement.
• Edition and DLC value: The amount of included post-launch content varies by edition and bundle, so check the current store listing before buying.

Does Borderlands 4 run well on PC?

It can, but neither the official PC targets nor an individual review setup can promise a particular result on your computer. Borderlands Support’s requirements page, published June 17, 2025 and updated May 29, 2026, gives these expected results:

Rank #3

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These are expectations, not guaranteed frame rates for every system. TechRadar reported performance hitches on a review PC with an RTX 5060 and Intel Core i5-14400F. PC Gamer’s reviewer played on an RTX 3060, Ryzen 7 5800, 16 GB RAM and an SSD, but that setup and playtime do not establish performance for other configurations. Version 1.6 notes dated April 30, 2026 list stability and optimization improvements and say further stability and performance work remained under investigation at that time.

What to try if performance is uneven

1. Check that your system meets the official PC requirements and that your graphics drivers are current.
2. After changing graphics settings, allow time for shader recompilation. Borderlands Support advises playing for at least 15 minutes before judging the effect of a settings change.
3. If problems persist, consult the requirements page and official troubleshooting guidance for current steps.

Can you play Borderlands 4 in co-op?

Yes. 2K describes co-op features including parties that can stay together when switching game modes, instanced loot, dynamic level scaling and individual difficulty. PC Gamer’s review lists co-op for up to four players.

Rank #4

Sale

Borderlands 4 - PlayStation 5

• BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
• FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.* Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
• LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.

$27.98

Buy on Amazon

Online play requires an internet connection and a SHiFT Account, according to 2K. Cross-play also requires a SHiFT Account, and console online play requires a separate paid subscription; check your platform’s current subscription terms before relying on online multiplayer.

Which edition should you buy?

2K’s September 12, 2025 launch announcement listed Standard, Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions. Its prices were announcement prices at launch, not current offers:

Best Value

Borderlands 4 Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]

• Pre-purchase now. Playable on 2025-09-12. Borderlands 4 Deluxe Edition includes: Full base game, the Pre-Order Bonus: Gilded Glory Pack*, the Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin, and the Bounty Pack Bundle**
• BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
• FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
• LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.

$99.99

Buy on Amazon

Post-launch content includes paid Story Packs and Bounty Packs, alongside free content, according to 2K’s roadmap. The version 1.6 notes identify Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned as the first of two Story Packs and say it is sold separately or included with designated bundles or editions. Because bundle terms and store prices can change, verify the current listing for your platform and region before paying extra for an edition.

Platforms and release date

Borderlands 4 launched September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. 2K announced a Nintendo Switch 2 release for October 3, 2025. Availability and edition details should be confirmed with the relevant platform store.

Verdict: a worthwhile refresh with caveats

Borderlands 4 appears to succeed where the series most needs to: reviewers find its combat-and-loot loop absorbing, and its more seamless world and traversal give exploration a fresh role. The case is less decisive if you are comparing it directly with Borderlands 3, looking for consistently smooth PC performance, or expecting every optional activity to be equally rewarding. It is best suited to players who want another build-focused Borderlands adventure and are comfortable checking platform performance and edition contents for themselves.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Borderlands 4 Standard - PC Steam [Online Game Code]

$69.99

Bestseller No. 2

Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]

$129.99

SaleBestseller No. 3

POP Funko Games: Borderlands 4 - Claptrap

$13.61

SaleBestseller No. 4

Borderlands 4 - PlayStation 5

$27.98

Bestseller No. 5

Borderlands 4 Deluxe - PC Steam [Online Game Code]

$99.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.