TL;DR
Borderlands 4 delivers the signature chaotic looter-shooter action with new Vault Hunters, a galaxy-spanning conspiracy, and plenty of dark humor. While the gameplay feels fluid and the cel-shaded visuals remain stunning, the PC version is a technical mess with poor optimization and bugs. Console versions are more stable but still struggle to maintain high frame rates. Unfortunately, enemy AI hasn't evolved much. Despite its launch issues, the game offers a fun experience, especially on consoles, with potential for improvement. Read on for the full breakdown!
Borderlands 4 continues the series’ tradition as an action-packed first-person looter-shooter. The game is set in a future galaxy where various planets are controlled by corrupt corporations, cults, and criminal syndicates. Players can choose from four brand-new Vault Hunters: Harlowe, a scientist specializing in electrical fields; Vex, a sorceress capable of summoning magical creatures; Amon, a formidable melee warrior wielding a magical hammer; and Kira, a technological infiltrator adept at stealth.
Consistent with the series’ tradition, the plot centers on a new type of Vault. However, unlike previous installments, the narrative extends beyond mere loot acquisition to encompass a conspiracy involving several galaxy-spanning factions. The dialogue and environments, as ever, are replete with black humor, satire, and memorably eccentric characters.
Previous Experiences and Expectations
On behalf of Senses, I have reviewed the revamped version of the first Borderlands as well as Borderlands 3. A previous criticism noted the limited evolution over nearly a decade of development. Opponent AI remained simplistic, leading to a somewhat tedious and monotonous experience.
Consequently, it was time to delve into this highly anticipated title, awaited by fans for six years. Was the six-year wait justified?
Aesthetics and Gameplay Feel
Aesthetically, much remains familiar. The graphics consistently present a stunning cel-shaded look with a high level of detail. The environments and characters encountered are imaginative and unconventionally designed. The black humor and over-the-top dialogue are executed effectively, and the arsenal features progressively more outlandish designs.
The game retains its signature visceral and chaotic aesthetic, while gameplay mechanics prove fluid and engaging. Actions such as sprinting, sliding into cover, reloading, and engaging enemies remain consistently engaging. Players can jump, climb, and traverse between structures and terrain. Delivering a devastating melee attack after a stealth approach provides pure entertainment. Cooperative play is also available, either online or locally via splitscreen.
New Features and Improvements
What’s new, then? A substantial number of additions. The game developers have significantly expanded the world, introducing a wider array of new enemies, weapons, vehicles, and diverse content. The inclusion of characters with magical abilities provides novel opportunities to explore environments and, crucially, to engage enemies with innovative combat strategies. Furthermore, the narrative is more intricate than in previous installments.
Technical Flaws and Performance
Despite its promising aspects, Borderlands 4 is not a flawless sequel. Several issues are present, primarily stemming from what appears to be a premature release. Console players appear less impacted than their PC counterparts, as the PC version is plagued by numerous bugs, exhibits poor optimization, and demands excessive hardware resources for acceptable performance. It also experiences frequent crashes and suffers from low frame rates.
My testing of Borderlands 4 on the Playstation 5 Pro revealed no significant issues during solo play. While it runs smoothly, it is noteworthy that a new title in performance mode does not consistently exceed 60 fps. On a standard PS5, the frame rate can drop to approximately 45 fps during intense combat encounters. A colleague reported that co-op with splitscreen on a standard PS5 functions adequately, though performance instability emerges when a high number of enemies are present.
Quality mode operates at 30 fps on both Playstation versions, offering marginally enhanced shadows and ambient effects. For this genre, performance mode is generally preferred.
Enemy AI and Gameplay Feel
Unfortunately, enemy AI remains relatively primitive. Adversaries tend to directly approach players, often remaining static targets while under fire. This contributes to a dated impression for a contemporary title. While their occasional, comically exaggerated reactions to critical hits, such as exclamations of “not funny,” offer a degree of amusement, they do not sufficiently offset these fundamental AI weaknesses.
In summary, Borderlands 4 is an ambitious addition to the series, introducing new mechanics, characters, and worlds that represent significant enhancements. The narrative, too, is more intricate than in prior installments. However, technical problems detract from the overall experience. While developers have promised improvements via future patches, which are expected to significantly enhance the game, the significant launch price for a title that feels incomplete raises concerns. Nevertheless, the console version functions adequately enough to enjoy its core strengths.
Despite the noted technical flaws, I am inclined to recommend Borderlands 4. It offers a genuinely enjoyable experience, and should the developers fulfill their commitments, its potential for future enhancement is considerable.
2K Games provided a review code for this test. The sender of material has no editorial influence on our reviews.
