Everything We Need To Know to Play Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 is Gearbox’s newest looter shooter, dropping September 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X with Switch 2 following. The game shifts to Kairos, a new planet filled with factions, vaults, and open exploration. Four new Vault Hunters join the roster, each with distinct builds and abilities. Co-op is back with online cross-play and couch split-screen. Expect tighter loot systems, deeper skill trees, and a tougher grind than past games.

Borderlands 4 Release Date

Borderlands 4 launched September 12, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, with Nintendo Switch 2 getting the game on October 3, 2025. Check the best Borderlands 4 PC settings for comfortable playing. Release entry pushes Borderlands closer to full open-world RPG territory, with crafting systems and replayable boss fights built in. Gearbox has added new progression mechanics like Contracts, world events, and campaign skip for alt characters.

Borderlands 4 Cross-Play

The game is on PC (Steam/Epic), PS5, and Xbox Series X now, with Switch 2 joining a few weeks later. Don’t expect a PS4 or Xbox One release.

Can I play on PS5 with my Xbox friend? Yes, Borderlands 4 cross-play is fully supported across all current platforms, and performance optimizations are aimed at 60+ FPS gameplay on consoles. The Switch 2 version will reportedly target a stable 30 FPS with full content parity.

Should I Play Borderlands 1-3 Parts Before Borderlands 4?

Nope, you don’t need to play earlier Borderlands games first. The new setting and Vault Hunters make Borderlands 4 a standalone entry. There are Easter eggs and callbacks for longtime fans, but the story is self-contained. You won’t miss critical context by starting here, and the skill trees and loot systems are fresh anyway.

How to Play Co-op in Borderlands 4?

Borderlands 4 supports 4-player online co-op and 2-player split-screen. Cross-play means you can squad up no matter what system your crew is on.

Loot is instanced per player, so no fighting over drops. Moxxi’s Big Encore system even makes boss farming easier in groups by letting you respawn bosses instantly for repeated loot runs.

Map, Weapons, Vehicle

Kairos is divided into large zones with Silos as fast travel hubs, Contracts boards in towns, and random bubble-dome world events. Exploration is key since some vault keys spawn only after capturing silos.

Weapons are more varied than ever with underbarrels, ordinance (grenades, knives, heavy weapons), and purple rarity guns now rivaling legendaries. Vehicles include the Digirunner bike, which you can throw forward and summon anywhere to keep momentum.

Borderlands 4 Beginners Guide

The game throws tons of systems at you without clear tutorials. Focus early on mobility unlocks, Contracts, and upgrading SDUs for storage and ammo. Keep one weak enemy alive for easy Second Winds during fights, since respawn points can be far. Also, don’t forget to claim rewards from the Rewards Center menu — they aren’t auto-collected.

Use Digirunner Early

Get the Digirunner early. It’s faster than walking capsules across zones and helps you survive early traversal. You can even toss the Digirunner forward and catch up to it to cover long distances faster. This trick keeps travel smooth when side quests pull you across large maps.

Max Your SDUs

Upgrade SDUs first for more backpack and ammo space. Without these, you’ll run out of bullets and stash space constantly. Weapon junk tagging is also key — mark items you don’t want, then sell them fast at vending machines for easy cash.

Test Weapon Alt-Fire

Experiment with alt-fire modes and underbarrels. Many weapons have wild secondary abilities that can change your whole combat flow. From gravity wells to corrosive pools, underbarrels aren’t gimmicks — they’re fight-changing tools, especially in boss fights.

Complete Contracts to Map Control

Use Contracts and Silos to level up faster and secure the map. Contracts give solid XP and loot, and most complete passively while exploring. Silos double as fast travel hubs and Vault Key spawners, making them essential for both farming and progression.

Master the Jetpack

Use your jetpack early for traversal and combat. Hovering lets you reach high places, avoid AoE attacks, and perform ground slams on enemies below. It’s also handy for quickly escaping danger or repositioning during chaotic fights.

Borderlands 4 Review

GameSpot gave Borderlands 4 a 7/10. It praised the Vault Hunter roster, loot systems, and build-crafting loop as the strongest in the series yet. The review knocked the weak characters, side quests, and repetitive enemies. Combat shines when loot-hunting, but the story won’t keep you hooked alone, making this entry more grind-heavy than narrative-driven.