In the development of Borderlands 4, Gearbox has created what they claim to be the largest game world ever, with a seamless expanse courtesy of advanced "technical jargon" that minimizes boundaries for a vast, uninterrupted playfield.
Borderlands 4: A Seamless and Expansive Looter-Shooter Experience
Borderlands 4, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular looter-shooter series, is set to release on September 12, according to developers Gearbox Software. The game promises significant improvements over its predecessor, Borderlands 3, with a focus on enhanced movement, deeper customization, and gameplay refinements.
"Let's not limit the player," says Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software, reflecting the philosophy behind the production of Borderlands 4. This approach is evident in the game's expansive, open world that is free from choke points, as noted by creative executive officer Andrew Reiner. The newfound freedom adds to an "awesome story campaign" with a non-linear fashion, according to Reiner.
One of the key features of Borderlands 4 is the expanded movement mechanics. Players can slide as in Borderlands 3 but now also have access to a jetpack that enables double jumps and gliding, plus a grappling hook that can be used on terrain and bosses to access weak points. Additional movement options include dashing and wall climbing, significantly improving mobility compared to Borderlands 3.
Another significant improvement is the deeper and more complex skill trees for each Vault Hunter. Each character has three distinct skill trees, each associated with a unique Action Skill, and players can customize through 387 skill points total. Respecs and skill switching are possible at designated hubs, allowing flexible builds tailored to playstyle. This represents the "deepest RPG customization yet" in the series.
Borderlands 4 also introduces four brand-new Vault Hunters, each with unique abilities and dynamic playstyles. The game's legendaries have been reworked to be rarer and more distinctive, restoring their uniqueness and making their acquisition feel special again.
The game's multiplayer experience has also been enhanced. The lobby system now supports drop-in/drop-out for up to four players with individual difficulty settings and instanced encounters, creating a smoother multiplayer experience. Gear customization has also been improved, with players able to modify weapon firmware to change set bonuses and effects.
The world of Borderlands 4 is designed to be as seamless as possible, with modern technology enabling developers to move large amounts of data quickly. According to Pitchford, this aim is to "bring new people in" to the series.
In a unique twist, players will reach a point in the game where they have the choice to go to three different story locations and explore new, massive regions. The game's size is said to be the biggest world that the developers have created for the Borderlands series.
However, the Borderlands movie, released in 2020, reportedly suffered a loss of $110 million, which may have implications for the series' future. Despite this, the development team remains optimistic about Borderlands 4 and its potential to deliver a richer and more engaging looter-shooter experience.
September is only a couple of months away, and fans of the series are eagerly awaiting the release of Borderlands 4. The mantra for the game, as stated by creative director Graeme Timmins, is "less borders, more lands." This mantra encapsulates the spirit of exploration and freedom that Borderlands 4 promises to deliver.
[1] GamesRadar+. (2022). Borderlands 4: Everything we know so far. [online] Available at: https://www.gamesradar.com/borderlands-4-release-date-trailer-news-and-everything-we-know/
[2] IGN. (2022). Borderlands 4: Everything We Know. [online] Available at: https://www.ign.com/articles/borderlands-4-everything-we-know
[3] Polygon. (2022). Borderlands 4: Release date, trailer, and everything we know. [online] Available at: https://www.polygon.com/borderlands-4-release-date-trailer-and-everything-we-know
[4] PC Gamer. (2022). Borderlands 4: release date, trailer, and everything we know so far. [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/borderlands-4-release-date-trailer-and-everything-we-know-so-far/
- Excited fans are awaiting the release of Borderlands 4 on September 12, a highly anticipated sequel that promises enhanced gameplay, deeper character customization, and an expansive open world.
- In Borderlands 4, players can enjoy a smooth multiplayer experience with drop-in/drop-out support for up to four players, individual difficulty settings, and instanced encounters.
- Game developers Gearbox Software aim to bring new players into the series with the use of modern technology, ensuring a seamless and immersive gaming experience in the massive regions of Borderlands 4.
- The new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4 offer unique abilities and dynamic playstyles, while their legendary weapons have been reworked to be rarer and more distinctive for a special acquisition feel.
- The game's development team is optimistic about Borderlands 4 and its potential to deliver a richer and more engaging looter-shooter experience, despite the criticism and financial loss incurred by the Borderlands movie in 2020.
