Borderlands 4, the long-awaited new entry in the Borderlands series, is teleporting our way on September 12 this year, and thanks to the folks at 2K ANZ, I had the pleasure of spending a few hours checking it out. I had the chance to explore Fadefields at level 5, shooting and looting my way through one of the four regions of planet Kairos, before taking on a vault mission and boss fight at level 20. More on that later. 

Continuing where Borderlands 3 left off, the protective barrier around the planet Kairos has been destroyed after Lilith used her Siren powers to teleport Elpis, Pandora’s moon. Assuming the role of Vault Hunter once more, players must lead the resistance against the Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator, and The Order, his followers, all while taking care of other threats and collecting that sweet, sweet loot. 

Those familiar with the Borderlands series will have an idea of what they’re in for, but the new world brings new opportunities. Players will love seamlessly exploring the new world without having to wait through loading screens, making use of new vehicles and transversal tools such as the grappling hook.

You’ll meet colourful characters as you venture into the chaos of Kairos, laughing through their introductions and hilarious cutscenes, in particular, Echo-4. As your new guide, they’ll help you reach your next destination, but also upgrade your ammo capacity and change your vault hunter appearance at the press of a button. 

The preview allowed us to pick one of two characters. Vex, aka the Siren, had a rough upbringing before getting her Siren powers. Understanding how tough life can be, she’s cynical and sarcastic, and she can take care of herself, but she also believes in helping others, doing what she can while working to take down The Order. Rafa, born and raised in microgravity, also had a rough upbringing, but for different reasons.

His low bone density and musculature made it hard for him to survive anywhere. Signing up for Tediore’s military force, he thought his life would be turned around. His body was altered with an exo-suit after completing a tour, but when Tediore ended his service, Rafa went AWOL, using what little time he has left to get rich before Tediore catches up with him. 

I chose Rafa for the first part of the preview, before being dropped into the Launchpad in Fadefields, where I was welcomed by the Watchmen, Armatures, and a Badass, because what is a Borderlands game without a Badass, right? While blasting through, I realised I could pull items towards me, like a gas canister, before throwing them at enemies. Is anyone else getting Bulletstorm flashbacks? 

The leash can also be used to reach certain ledges, and while you’re sailing through the air, you can try to pull off some crazy trick shots. In fact, I encourage you to do this. One of Rafa’s skills has him unleash two blades before running at enemies, hacking and slashing like Baraka from Mortal Kombat.

I also managed to find a gun that, when it ran out of ammo, the character would throw it. A red circle with the words, “Shoot Me,” would then appear, and if I did, it would cause an explosion. That was fun!

After cleaning up the area, a hologram by the name of Idolator Sol appeared, and he wasn’t happy with me – I’d made him look foolish in front of the Timekeeper. I would then meet up with Rush and Conway, members of the Outbounders, before welcoming them to the Crimson Resistance. Conway gifted me a Digirunner, one of the new vehicles in the series, which could be summoned with the aid of Echo-4. 

After that nice reward, I decided to do some more exploring, looting everything I could. I was very quickly cashed up and my inventory was bursting at the seams, including some exotic items, one of them being a very nice sniper rifle. Moving on to The Howl, the next area we had access to, I ran into more Watchmen, Armature, Engines, Badassess, and flying Wardens, which I promptly cleared out before moving on, yet again, to Hungering Plain.

With Rush promising a big feast when the job was done, I focused my attention on the enemy stronghold, where I would come up against my first boss, Horace. Hovering around the arena, he reminded me of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen from Dune.

Dodging his projectiles and defending myself against Armatures, I managed to down his shield, only to have him charge at me like a madman, still firing off his weapon. I was only able to take him out by a fluke second wind.

After being boosted to level 20, I was able to take part in a Vault mission, where I was up against even more enemies, including those previously mentioned, but also Voids, Witnesses, and Hammerheads. A wild Perturbalon also appeared, hovering over the chaos and blasting projectiles Street Fighter-style. 

After dealing with him, it was time to face the Primordial Guardian Inceptus, accompanied by a host of Sunbeam Creeps – minions that lunge at you and drop radioactive spores. That was a hard-fought victory, as I mistimed his attacks and didn’t pay attention to the radioactive floor, but I got there in the end with the help of several Second Wind triggers. It was a very tough boss fight, but equally as rewarding in the end. I just had to figure out his pattern. 

Gearbox Software is bringing back the excitement of looting and shooting with their biggest Borderlands game to date. Whether you’re running solo or working with up to three teammates, there is plenty to explore and loot, new skills and abilities to unlock and upgrade, countless tools to use, and of course, bazillions of guns.

Borderlands 4 is bringing its mayhem to PS5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC on September 12th, with a release for the Nintendo Switch 2 arriving later in the year. I can’t wait to return to Kairos with friends to cause more chaos. 

Written by: Paule Quan