Borderlands 4’s evolved traversal and weaponry give new excitement to Vault Runs

by

Following 16 years of shaping the concept of loot shooter games, it’s challenging to envision unexplored territories for the Borderlands franchise. With Pandora having been extensively mapped and remapped, the creators at Gearbox Entertainment are eager to venture into uncharted realms. This exploration isn’t limited to narrative or environment, but also encompasses movement and weaponry, and these adjustments appear set to be beneficial. During a recent visit to Borderlands Fan Fest in Los Angeles, CA, Shacknews was given the opportunity to preview the upcoming Borderlands 4.

Before getting their hands on the game, the audience was initially addressed by Gearbox founder Randy Pitchford and Chief Creative Officer Randy Varnell. They debuted the game’s story trailer, which showcased the entirely new world of Kairos. This realm is governed ruthlessly by the Timekeeper, who controls the inhabitants, including those residing in Dominion City. The aim for a fresh group of Vault Hunters, who find themselves stuck on Kairos, is to aid in a revolution. Since Claptrap is currently leading the revolution, it’s clear they could use as much assistance as possible.

Despite having limited time for exploration, there was an opportunity to embark on a Vault Run in Borderlands 4. The question arises whether diving headfirst into one of the game’s challenging missions, without first getting acquainted with its mechanics, was ill-advised. In retrospect, it likely was, but by then, it was already too late to reconsider. Moreover, although the run proved to be quite demanding, particularly when solo, I must admit that it provided a unique experience distinct from previous Borderlands installments.

In Borderlands 4, the fresh set of movement techniques offers an elevated experience compared to its previous versions. Now, characters can easily cover long distances with a new double jump and glide function. The integration of sprint, double jump, and glide, while still maintaining access to weapons, has made combat seem slightly more balanced. This is significant because the game’s latest vault run presented me with numerous enemies, such as magic-wielding Wardens and aggressive Badass Domination Engines. Not only were there many of these adversaries, but some had unique abilities, like “Deflector” armor or “Fast Forward” hyperspeed. Encountering a Badass with Regen was challenging, testing the game’s Second Wind mechanic and reducing my total ammo supply across all four of my weapons.

The intrigue lies in understanding how maneuvering became crucial during the final showdown with the Vault’s boss, the Primordial Guardian Inceptus. This formidable adversary demanded continuous movement and introduced a novel grappling tool. Besides serving as a means to navigate the arena, this grapple was essential for plucking spores from the boss’s face, thereby revealing its vulnerable spot. Later on, the ground became toxic, necessitating a quick escape via the grapple, but alas, I couldn’t avoid my fate, and the Inceptus claimed victory.

It’s worth mentioning that despite my anticipation to experiment with various guns in Borderlands 4, the demo I played was preloaded with a fixed weapon set and didn’t allow for any customization. However, I did get to wield some intriguing weapons, such as an SMG that transformed into a biped when dropped, which was quite memorable from the previous game. Although gunplay in this preview felt reminiscent of traditional Borderlands, Pitchford and Varnell hinted at expanded customization possibilities in the full release. This implies that components from manufacturers like Order or Ripper can be combined with weapons from Daedalus or Torgue in the final version, allowing fans who prefer a specific attachment to use it on a more powerful weapon from another manufacturer.

Despite the initial disadvantage from using pre-loaded guns, I managed to hold my own with Vex’s character abilities. As a witch, she summons replicas of herself as allies in battle, making the odds less overwhelming. These additional fighters not only provided extra manpower but also had passive skills that enhanced their performance and activated various effects. By the end of playing the game, I was eager to spend more time with Vex to explore the full potential of her minions.

As a gamer diving headfirst into Borderlands 4, my brief experience left me optimistic. The customizable weapons and the refreshed movement systems promise a breath of fresh air for the series that was starting to feel a bit worn. Come September 12th, when it hits PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, we’ll see just how vibrant this new installment truly is.

The content you see here is derived from a preliminary demonstration that was played live during the Borderlands Fan Fest in LA. Keep in mind, the finished product may still undergo changes.

Read More

2025-06-23 22:27