Remember that terrible Borderlands movie we got stuck with in 2024? Well, forget about that mess - something way better is coming. Gearbox just announced Borderlands 4 is hitting PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on September 23, 2025. Yeah, that's right, we're finally getting a proper new Borderlands after six long years!

The folks at Gearbox have been pretty quiet since Borderlands 3 dropped back in 2009, but they haven't been sitting around doing nothing. They've cooked up what looks like the biggest shake-up to the series yet - we're talking a whole new planet called Kairos and some mysterious bad guy called The Timekeeper. Sounds properly intriguing, right?

Look, I know the Borderlands movie left a bad taste in everyone's mouth, but this is the real deal - the next evolution of the shoot-and-loot mayhem we've all been waiting for. Stick around, because I'm about to break down everything we know about Borderlands 4 so far, from its fancy new features to what's waiting for us on planet Kairos.

Official Release Date and Platform Details

Remember that State of Play show back in February? Randy Pitchford finally gave us what we've been dying to hear - September 23, 2025 is officially locked in for Borderlands 4. And yeah, I'm already counting down the days.

Here's the deal with platforms - if you've got a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC, you're good to go. PC folks can grab it on Steam or Epic Games Store, whatever floats your boat. Sorry if you're still rocking a PS4 or Xbox One though - Gearbox is going all-in on current-gen hardware for this one.

Oh, and they're finally doing something I've wanted forever - cross-platform multiplayer right from launch. No more of that "sorry, can't play together because you're on Xbox" nonsense. Just jump in and start shooting stuff with your buddies, doesn't matter what they're playing on.

The ESRB hasn't slapped a final rating on it yet (it's still RP), and Nintendo fans, I've got nothing for you - zero word on any Switch version. But hey, if you're as pumped as I am, you can already wish-list this bad boy across all the confirmed platforms. I know I did about five seconds after the announcement.

Key Features and Gameplay Changes

Holy hell, Borderlands 4 is going wild with movement options. The Vault Hunters are getting some serious upgrades - we're talking double jumps, air gliding, dodge rolls, and fixed-point grappling to zip around the terrain. Remember how static previous games felt? Yeah, that's ancient history now.

The new grappling hook system isn't just some tacked-on gimmick either. You'll be using it to reach secret spots, set up sweet combat angles, and probably find some ridiculous loot stashes. Oh, and get this - for the first time ever in a Borderlands game, you can actually swim! Underwater combat and exploration are finally a thing.

Kairos itself is a game-changer too. No more loading screens breaking up the action - this world is completely seamless. Need to get around? Just summon a ride whenever you want. They've got these sick new hoverbikes and high-tech chariots that make the old Catch-A-Ride feel like a rusty bicycle shop.

The combat's evolved to keep up with all this new mobility. It's still that addictive looter-shooter gameplay we all love, but Gearbox has done some serious fine-tuning. The skill trees are deep enough to make build-crafting fun without turning into a math homework assignment. Plus, they're toning down the toilet humor this time - thank god.

Want options? Here's what you can do:

• Split-screen with a buddy on your couch
• Team up with three friends online
• Go wild with combat and exploration
• Take on massive boss fights that'll make your eyes pop

Look, I've played every Borderlands game since the series started, and this feels like the kick in the pants the franchise needed. The seamless world, the crazy movement tech, the refined combat - it's all coming together in ways that get me stupidly excited.

What's New in Borderlands 4

You think Borderlands 3's billion guns was impressive? Senior producer Anthony Nicholson just dropped a bomb - we're getting multiple billions of weapons and accessories in Borderlands 4. As someone who spent way too many hours farming perfect rolls in previous games, this is both exciting and terrifying for my social life.

The new Vault Hunter lineup is looking pretty sweet too. We're getting:

• This slick warrior with dual energy blades and an exoskeleton (giving me serious Warframe vibes)
• Another Siren (because of course) with some wild purple tattoos
• A beast of a fighter rocking Fire and Cryo axes
• A tech specialist that makes Zer0 look like they're using Windows 95

The skill trees in this one are absolutely massive. I'm talking the biggest we've ever seen in a Borderlands game. But here's what's got me really excited - they're built specifically for creating crazy synergies between different Vault Hunters in co-op. Remember those accidental combos we'd stumble into in Borderlands 2? Yeah, now that's actually built into the game.

That swimming mechanic they added after all the player feedback isn't just some cute feature either. The whole underwater thing completely changes how you can tackle fights and explore. Seriously, some of these water-based levels let you pull off approaches that would've been impossible in previous games.

Oh, and The Timekeeper? This dude's got Kairos in a chokehold. Don't expect another Handsome Jack with the meme-worthy one-liners - they're going for something way more serious this time. Getting some real dictator vibes from the way this guy runs things. Can't wait to take him down.

Conclusion

Look, I've been playing Borderlands since the first game dropped, and Borderlands 4 feels like the shot of adrenaline this series needed. The seamless world of Kairos isn't just bigger - it's built for the kind of crazy, high-flying shenanigans we've always wanted to pull off in these games. Between the grappling hooks, underwater exploration, and those sweet new movement abilities, I'm already dreaming up the ridiculous stuff we'll be able to do.

Those four new Vault Hunters? They're not just fresh faces - each one feels like they could support about a dozen different playstyles. And thank god for cross-platform play finally showing up. No more leaving friends behind just because they bought the game on the "wrong" system.

September 23, 2025, might feel like it's ages away, but I'm betting it'll be worth the wait. Billions of guns, that mysterious Timekeeper villain, and combat that actually lets us move like proper space-faring badasses - yeah, I'm all in. Borderlands basically invented the whole looter-shooter thing, and from what I've seen, Borderlands 4 is about to remind everyone why.