It took years between gearbox drinks and pioneering router shooters in 2K. Borderlands 4 arrived shortly after one of the most pointless and unseen game-to-screen adaptations of all time, but it’s still more than making up for the damage Jack Black and his crew have done to this fantastic IP.
If you want to take something out of this Borderlands 4 review, it’s this. It’s worth going back to the outings and strong form of the series, which was overly notified and eaten itself in a very troublesome and annoying dialogue.
It’s far better than Borderlands 3 is not appreciated at all, but the fourth entry could potentially recapture the chaotic thrills of the first two games. Opening hours seem clunky and overly linear. But Gory, Open-World FPS’ refreshing approach to action not only clings to landings, but also brings blessings to franchises that are sometimes less elegant.
Please pay tribute to the name
Borderlands is about the Soulsborne series looting RPG action. It was a pioneer, a game that others tried repeatedly, and often failed to replicate. Other marauders do not capture the same immersive and whimsical role-playing pleasures. It’s no surprise that Borderlands 4 has already sold over $150 million. The numbers don’t overturn its predecessor, but that’s just the beginning. All past frustration is quickly forgotten when the player jumps in.
The firefight is fun, fierce, desperate, and sometimes distracting. I’ve noticed that I’ve leveled up by mowing a larger ripper pack than I actually follow the mission. Exploration is fun and not since we first immersed ourselves in the Mad Max style of the first borderland (still very well held, cares).
Bright Overworld
Borderlands 4 doesn’t have time to remind players why the series became such a phenomenon. Set on the new planet Kairos, the game leans towards its root shooter roots, introducing fresh ideas enough to keep things interesting.
The battle is chaotic, satisfying, mercilessly fast-paced, with an astounding variety of weapons and abilities that reward experiments. Traversal has been significantly improved. Grappling hooks and smarter movement mechanics make exploring the vast gory landscapes amenities easy.
Every corner of the world can be protruding, protruding and looted. Yes, this can get boring at times. I’m not as patient as gamers as I used to be. To enter 100% of such a game, you need a huge amount of slowing down. But the open world is perfect for exploring in its distant cry-like tropical environment.
I’m more interested in experimenting with different types of weapons. It’s absolutely blowing the ripper away with a nearby mind and slipping under the cover to see him explode, or letting his head go a mile away with the huge snipers of the game. The game feels tactical and it’s rewarding to wipe out the entire enclave.
The story is serviceable according to a group of tyrant timekeepers and new safe hunters who take on his army. It’s not groundbreaking, but it provides a robust framework for all mayhem.
The dialogue hits a much better tone than the painful over-the-top nonsense of Borderland. The characters are lively and lively without any discomfort. The humor is just right dialed. Without being overly annoying and distracting from the gameplay, it’s mean when it’s necessary.
There’s nothing like Borderlands yet
Visually, the game continues the franchise’s signature cel shade style. Each area has its own unique personality, from sun-dense deserts to twisted industrial areas.
Character and enemy designs remain imaginative, while animation is fluid. Gunplay feels heavy, and the colorful and gorgeous world around you amplifies the chaotic energy of every gunfight.
The game isn’t without flaws. Sometimes stud sounds and technical hiccups that include long load times. The climbing walls are clunky, frustrating and inconsistent. The inventory and skill management screens can sometimes feel messy, especially during combat.
Despite these issues, the core gameplay is extremely enjoyable. Gearbox also continues to engage its community in meaningful ways. Players will be rewarded with accomplishments in creative in-game incentives that make the world feel lively and responsive, giving players plenty of things to do, not only completing missions after the mission.
Borderlands 4 offers what fans want, mixed chaos, humor and endless booty. It’s wild without overcomplicating things, without losing focus, and it’s familiar to you without feeling old. For those who have loved the series or enjoyed a nasty messy shootout, this is a return to a form that hits hard and refuses to let go.
4 stars (out of 5)
Highlights: Gorgeous art style, a balanced sense of humor, fun gun fights, a wide variety of guns
Low light: some clunky traversal, long load times, enemy diversity is not enough
Developer: Gearbox Software
Publisher: 2K Games
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows PC
Available: Now
