By Borderlands’ newest chapter drops in just days!
- written by Ben Kerry
Borderlands 4 has arrived! Gearbox’s freshest over-the-top shooter storms the Xbox lineup this very week, so preliminary critiques are already surfacing for the Series X|S release.
As we always do in these compilations, we’ve corralled a cross-section of first takes to paint a picture of what’s in store. Remember, every opinion below stems from the PC build for the moment.
So, without dragging it out, here’s the critical chatter surrounding Borderlands 4:
DualShockers (9/10)
“If the Borderlands saga already speaks to you—even part three—this chaotic, loot-crazy sequel will win you over. Borderlands 4 is hands-down my pick of the franchise so far. It distills every lesson the series has learned and then pushes further.”
WellPlayed (9/10)
“Borderlands 4 finally taps the potential the IP has chased for years, delivering that signature flavor but with enough contemporary polish to stand as the textbook co-op shooter, not just another fun one.”
COGConnected (8.9/10)
“No doubt about it: Borderlands 4 is a bold leap past its direct predecessor. The eye-catching open landscape is stuffed with entertaining diversions, the plot carries more weight minus the boredom, and the trademark snark lives on through side missions. The gambles Gearbox took succeed so well I almost wish they’d gambled even harder on the gunplay. Every Vault Hunter is a blast, so replays and co-op feel worthwhile. It may not flip the table, but the series absolutely levels up and tees up an enticing roadmap ahead.”
One More Game (8.5/10)
“Borderlands 4 regains its swagger through stellar build options, a vibrant sandbox, and boss fights that feel born anew. Gearbox plainly tuned in to player feedback, answering old gripes with a sprawling, touchable map, beefier skill webs, and firearms that finally feel one-of-a-kind.”
Games.CH (8.5/10)
“Borderlands 4 doesn’t re-imagine the core, but it broadens the frantic loot-shooter template with snappier pacing, imaginative armaments, and a bigger, more diverse planet. Narrative depth and foe variety could still grow, yet brisk battles, the series’ off-the-wall humor, and rock-solid co-op ensure the ride stays engrossing. Veterans will slip right back in, and rookies ready for mayhem will discover heaps to love.”
IGN (8/10)
“Borderlands 4 is an uncompromising, open-world step forward for the gleefully unhinged loot-shooter lineage, and most of its bold gambits connect. Gunfights flow better than ever, buoyed by slick new traversal tricks and inventive adversary blueprints, while the storyline pivots in a novel direction yet still dovetails with established canon.”
VGC (4/5)
“Borderlands 4 is a cracking role-loaded shooter whose compulsive loop keeps you hooked. A few adornments—like forgettable fresh faces and a gimmicky grappling hook—dent the gloss, yet the sheer fun we extracted can’t be ignored. The game harks back to why we adored the first two entries and openly atones for the stumbles of the third.”
GameSpot (7/10)
“Bottom line: if scavenging gear, min-maxing builds, and sowing battlefield chaos are your jam, Borderlands 4 delivers. It’s the most mechanically tight entry yet, and each Vault Hunter affords a distinct, enjoyable way to replay. Just queue up a solid podcast or deep-dive video for the quieter interludes—the plot and cast aren’t captivating enough solo, and combat fatigue creeps in once you’ve cycled through every enemy archetype.”
Right now, Borderlands 4 sits at 84 on Metacritic and holds an 80 on OpenCritic—respectable numbers indeed for franchise entry number four.
Sound off below with your thoughts on these opening verdicts.
Ben tackles news for Pure Xbox, gleefully diving into action, racers, and anything on Xbox that lets him pull a virtual trigger. When the pad isn’t glued to his palms, he’s spinning retro tunes he’s too young to nostalgia over, catching football on TV, and almost certainly grabbing a bite somewhere.