Alright, here we go. Hop on this rollercoaster of thoughts as I dive into the chaos that is Borderlands 4. And trust me, it’s a ride. So, imagine Borderlands, right? But it’s like someone put it in a suit and tie. Seriously, Borderlands 4 swings into a grown-up world, kinda. It’s an overhaul, a shakeup—from the old to something that feels, hmm, fresh? It’s still packed with the loot-and-shoot charm, but there’s a part of me that’s screaming, “What about its soul?” Who knows, maybe I’m just nostalgic like that.
Picture this: a whole new world, Kairos. We’re talking a place untouched by everything we knew before. Wild, right? But then, boom—a moon crashes through, mixing old with new. So, it’s a party of recycled and fresh faces, with an entirely different vibe. Not sure if it’s for everyone, but hey, it’s something.
Okay, pause. Want to know what I actually dig? It’s gorgeous. Wandering through the lushness, even if it was just a peek. Forget those annoying loading screens. Now we’re exploring vast, continuous landscapes. Got caught up in that, stumbled onto secret bosses—felt kind of magical. Like, the Destiny kind of magical but in a good way.
But, there’s always a “but,” isn’t there? This open world isn’t without its snags. Filling it out so it’s not just empty space is a challenge. There are trinkets to find here and there—audio logs and symbols. Ran into one event—a spaceship treasure hunt. Cool? Yeah. But the long drives without action? Eh.
Now, remember the gunplay? Man, it’s still a blast. No pun intended, or maybe yes. Snatching guns from every corner, and they still pack that satisfying punch. There’s this quirky bit where your gun becomes a little murder machine. Seriously, I love that.
All that glam aside, they tore down those old gun manufacturer walls—in comes the part system. Imagine: one gun, multiple personalities. Sure, it spices things up, but I’m split. A little teary for the distinct character each brand brought. Feels like putting a Ferrari coat on a Bugatti engine.
Pivoting away, humor has morphed too. Borderlands 3’s awkward ghost still lurks, pushing Borderlands 4 into more mature territories. They overcompensated, losing some weird charm—feels so… normalized. In one mission, Rush—a muscled dude with a soft heart—asks for your help. It’s safe writing, you know? Claptrap’s side quest, though—now that had me chuckling more than it probably should have.
Something’s off. Side quests feel kind of empty without their quirky backstories. Like, go take down “Romeo the Dog” and grab loot. Come on, where’s the flavor? I hope it gets funnier later, but my optimism? Shrinking.
But oh, the vaults. Yeah, they’re there alright. Big bosses, treasure rooms—as should be. Cool new challenges too, like vine-grappling, thorn-avoiding fights. Impressive, sure. But, was the loot as tempting? Meh, two chests and a basic gun. No thrill like the good ol’ days. It’s a new twist—enhancing and scrapping pieces—and I’m not sure how to feel.
Come the end of this preview, I’m itching for more. Two hours ain’t enough, especially when everything’s so flipped. Borderlands 4 is still the game we love—or maybe a far cousin of it. Play it with open eyes and maybe a pinch of salt. If your heart’s tied to the series, prepare for those ties to be snipped without so much as a cheeky quip to soften the blow.
Phew, done. And remember, this was at an insider event—controlled chaos with a taste of what’s to come.
