Borderlands 4
Review
Everything on Kairos will kill you
by William Thompson
reviewed on PC
The Timekeeper
The chaotic echo of gunshots, the maniacal conversations of psychos, and the incessant chatter of a certain neurotic robot—these are the sensations that welcome fans back into the world of Pandora. No, wait...that's not right. With Borderlands 4, Gearbox takes us off the beaten path and into the heart of a hidden world, Kairos. For millennia, this planet was ruled by a tyrant known as The Timekeeper, who maintained a state of perfect, if oppressive, order. But as we know, perfect order doesn't last long when a team of loot-crazed Vault Hunters crashes the party. Borderlands 4 is an ambitious and triumphant entry, successfully evolving the series' iconic formula while delivering a fresh new planet to explore.
The planet
From the moment you arrive, Kairos presents itself as a stark contrast to the barren, dusty landscape of Pandora. While some of the arid regions may feel familiar, Kairos is a much more fertile, living world. Small villages and farms are scattered across its surface, creating a more populated and, at times, peaceful atmosphere. The planet is divided into three distinct and engaging regions. The Fadelands provide a rural setting with scattered outposts and space warehouses, giving it a classic frontier feel. Carcadia Burn is a more desolate and volatile area, while the Terminus Range offers its own unique challenges. At the heart of it all lies the Dominion, the central hub where the Timekeeper's iron rule is most keenly felt. It's an engaging open world, full of both friendly pockets of civilization and roaming, hostile creatures.
Speaking of hostility, Kairos is far from empty. Your foes are varied and numerous, ranging from the organized units of the Timekeeper to the chaotic, homegrown psychopaths known as Rippers. The Rippers are perhaps the most unsettling addition to the Borderlands rogue's gallery—once slaves of the Timekeeper, they have literally ripped out their own control units in a bid for freedom, turning them into psychotic, frenzied fighters. Navigating this dangerous world is made easier thanks to your new personal vehicle, the Digirunner, a small hovering vehicle that is a cross between a motorcycle and a tractor. When on foot, the Vault Hunters also boast a new range of movement abilities, including a double jump, dash, and the ability to grapple up walls, which makes traversing the vertical landscapes a joy. The addition of swimming across rivers and lakes also opens up new areas to explore, making the world feel more interconnected and alive.
The Heroes
The heart of any Borderlands game is its cast of heroes, and Borderlands 4 introduces a new quartet of Vault Hunters to the stage. Vex, the Siren; Amon, the Forgeknight; Harlowe, the Gravitar; and Rafa, the Exo Soldier each bring a unique flavour to the table. And while each hero is distinct, the game smartly allows any Vault Hunter to wield any type of weapon, ensuring you're never locked out of using your favorite gear. No matter who you choose, the new skill trees are the most extensive and diverse to date, offering a staggering number of ways to customize your play style. It pays to be strategic with your skill points as you level up, but the game is forgiving. You can refund your points and respec your character later on, allowing you to experiment freely and find the perfect build for any given situation.
Prevention is better than cure
Progression in Borderlands 4 feels natural and rewarding. As you advance through the main story, enemies improve alongside you, ensuring a consistent challenge. For those more difficult areas, taking on some of the side quests is a great way to gain further experience and unlock new skills, giving you a crucial edge. In the heat of battle, survival is key. Respawning costs a significant portion of your cash reserves, so thankfully, shields and health packs dropped by fallen foes can help keep you in the fight. Borderlands 4 also introduces the Repkit, a personal health booster with a cooldown, which can be a lifesaver in a tight spot. And of course, the beloved "second wind" mechanic returns, allowing you to continue the fight for a brief period after going down. If you defeat an enemy during this time, you're re-incarnated to continue the battle. This mechanic becomes particularly important during boss fights.
Bosses, naturally, feature heavily in Borderlands 4. There are area bosses that can be a test of endurance, but the true challenges lie in the story bosses. These encounters require players to study their patterns and use all their available weaponry and skills in a strategic way. While these battles can be intense, the bosses will often have a host of underlings that feel like annoying mosquitoes buzzing around. But I found them to be crucial—they are the perfect targets for when you need a second wind. Just like in previous installments, once these titans finally succumb to your onslaught, they drop some truly wonderful loot, making all the effort worthwhile.
Comparing sizes
For those of us with a hoarding problem, the game's limited backpack space will have you constantly inspecting weapons, working out which to keep and which to discard. The journey from a boss battle to the nearest vending machine can feel like a tense negotiation with yourself, as you weigh the pros and cons of each new, shiny toy. But it's a core part of the Borderlands experience, and one that is thankfully accompanied by the game's excellent humor. The jokes feel less forced and less juvenile than in previous titles, resulting in a more natural and genuinely funny tone. The superb voice acting contributes to this, with each of the main characters having humorous quotes when they dispose of an enemy or even when you take too long to sell items at a vending machine. And while the neurotic but lovable Claptrap has a more minor role this time around, his presence is a welcome one.
Finally, while playing alone is an undeniably great experience, playing with a friend makes Borderlands 4 even more enjoyable. The multiplayer experience is seamless. Cash is shared across the team, while other loot is instanced so each member can choose what they want without having to race each other. If you’re working well as a team, you’ll be able to help revive each other when you inevitably fall.
On a technical note, I did find occasional stutters when moving into new combat zones, particularly in multiplayer. But considering there are no loading zones whatsoever, this is a minor technical hiccup in what is otherwise a polished and engaging experience. The ever-present Echo-4, your personal robot helper, is on hand to guide you to your destination and will be the one to respawn you after an untimely end.
More Borderlands can never be too much
Overall, Borderlands 4 is a masterful continuation of the series. It honors its roots while daring to venture into new territory, both geographically and mechanically. The diverse and compelling new world of Kairos, combined with the most extensive skill trees and a refined sense of humor, makes this a must-play for both long-time fans and newcomers to the franchise. It's the same Borderlands you love, but bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever before.
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9.5
fun score
Pros
Wonderful traversal mechanics, fun multiplayer, great boss battles.
Cons
Slight stutters on entering new combat zones
