Following our initial preview of Borderlands 4 where we explored Vex the Dark Siren and the game’s mobility upgrades, we’re back with a second look at what’s shaping up to be a major evolution for the series. With each preview Borderlands 4 isn’t just another game with a fresh coat of paint. From completely reimagined character abilities to boss fights that demand constant movement, the developers are pushing players out of their comfort zones in the best possible way.

New Character Spotlight: Rafa the EXO-Soldier

One of the confirmed playable characters is Rafa, an EXO-Soldier who ditches traditional guns for electric-powered melee combat. His unique abilities center around three different combat modes that completely change how players approach fights.

The first ability, This Year’s Gimmick, lets Rafa swap his guns for dual Arc Daggers. These electric blades can mark enemies, making them take more damage with each mark. Players can either use them for regular melee attacks or dash forward to shock enemies on contact. The real payoff comes when you detonate all the marks at once for a big electric explosion.

His second skill, People Person, equips an arm cannon called the Apophis Lance. This weapon fires electric blasts that can pierce through enemies, but each shot uses up a charge. Players can hold down the trigger to charge up more powerful shots, though this uses more charges. Any leftover charges reduce the cooldown when the skill ends.

The third ability, Remote Agent, gives Rafa an auto-tracking cannon that locks onto enemies and fires automatically. If it kills a target, it can switch to a new one. Players can end this skill early to get some cooldown time back.

Story and Active Boss Fights

The main story involves Claptrap sending players to build a resistance movement across the planet Kairos. The first group to join up is called The Outbounders – former farmers and mechanics who started their own rebellion to escape the planet. However, a group called The Order is attacking their headquarters, and players need to save them before they get wiped out.

Boss battles in Borderlands 4 require much more movement than previous games. While older Borderlands games had some attacks to dodge, the new game uses all the movement tools available – double jumping, dodging, grappling hooks, and gliding – to create more dynamic fights.

The movement isn’t just for getting around either. Boss fights will require players to use their grappling hook to reach weak points or grapple around the arena while gliding to hit targets that can’t be reached from the ground. One confirmed boss, the Primordial Guardian Inceptus, showcases these new mechanics.

Weapon System Gets Major Overhaul

The weapon system features a new Licensed Part System that combines parts from different manufacturers into single weapons. Instead of choosing between a Maliwan, Jacobs, or Torgue weapon, players might find guns that mix characteristics from all three manufacturers. This creates many more possible weapon combinations and build options.

The weapons themselves feel improved from Borderlands 3, with better animations and sound effects that make each shot feel more impactful. The variety of possible weapon combinations should give players more ways to customize their playstyle. These new features continue to build on what we saw in our first preview, creating a Borderlands experience that respects the series’ roots while pushing it in bold new directions.

Just from our preview the classic shooting and looting remains at the heart of Borderlands 4, but the combination of Rafa’s electric melee combat, enhanced boss mechanics, and the flexible weapon system promises much more variety in how you approach each fight.

Whether you’re dashing through enemies with Arc Daggers, using movement tools to outmaneuver massive bosses, or experimenting with weapons that blend your favorite manufacturer traits, Borderlands 4 is shaping up to offer the deepest combat system the series has ever seen. Borderlands 4 will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 coming later.

If you want to see more on Borderlands 4, check out our preview video below.