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We recently had the opportunity to try out Borderlands 4 and give you a preview of what is shaping up to be the biggest shake-up the series has seen in years. With the game launching September 12 and promising to be “the boldest Borderlands to date,” Gearbox is clearly pulling out all the stops for this next adventure on the planet Kairos.
Meet Vex: The Dark Siren Who Fights With Friends
The most exciting addition comes in the form of Vex, a Dark Siren who brings a completely different playstyle to the table. Unlike previous Vault Hunters, Vex focuses heavily on summoning allies to fight alongside her. Her signature ability, “Here Comes Trouble,” lets her call in a loyal pet named Trouble that can teleport around the battlefield and transform into a stronger Badass form when things get tough.
But that’s not all – she can also summon spectral clones through “The Fourth Seal,” creating either a tough Reaper that gets up close with enemies or a Specter that stays back and shoots from a distance. Both clones can fight together, turning Vex into a one-person army.
When things get really heated, Vex can activate “Vexcalation,” which fully heals her while letting loose an explosive blast around her. During this powered-up state, she gains access to Eldritch Blast attacks and moves faster around the battlefield. The best part is that landing shots with regular weapons actually makes her special attacks recharge faster, encouraging an aggressive playstyle.
Getting Around Kairos Just Got Easier
Getting around Kairos has been completely rethought from the ground up. Vehicles can now be summoned anywhere and recalled just as easily, making travel much more convenient than hunting down catch-a-ride stations. The minimap has been replaced with a compass system that feels more natural, while the upgraded ECHO-4 device can scan areas to instantly mark important locations like outposts and supply stations on your screen.
But the real game-changer is how much more mobile your Vault Hunter has become. The new grapple hook isn’t just for getting around – you can use it to pull explosive barrels toward enemies or yank flammable objects into the perfect position. Double jumping gives you that extra bit of height you need, and you can glide after that second jump to cover large gaps or set up devastating ground-slam attacks. Being able to climb walls opens up entirely new paths through areas, while swimming lets you take underwater routes that enemies might not expect.
The weapon and gear systems have gotten major upgrades too. New licensed parts and manufacturers mean more variety in your arsenal, while the overhauled inventory system makes managing your loot much easier. The ECHO-4 now lets you apply specific enhancements to boost certain weapon types, and there’s a dedicated slot just for throwable weapons like grenades. Repkits provide a new way to heal up during fights, giving you more options when your shield goes down.
What It All Means
All these changes add up to a Borderlands experience that feels both familiar and fresh. The core shooting and looting is still there, but the added mobility and tactical options should make combat feel more dynamic than ever. Whether you’re grappling around the battlefield as Vex summons her army of clones and pets, or taking advantage of the new traversal abilities to approach fights from unexpected angles, Borderlands 4 looks like it’s ready to take the series in some exciting new directions.
With the September release date approaching fast, fans won’t have to wait much longer to see if all these new features come together into something special. If you want to see more on Borderlands 4, check out our preview video below.
