New Features We Want in Borderlands 4 (And What to Leave Behind)

The Borderlands franchise has always delivered chaotic action, quirky humor, and millions of loot combinations but fans are ready for something more in the next installment. As whispers of Borderlands 4 grow louder, now’s the perfect time to talk about what players really want from the next Vault Hunter adventure and a few things we hope are left behind.

Whether you’re a veteran of Pandora or new to the series, here’s a look at the must-have features we’d love to see in Borderlands 4, plus a few outdated mechanics we hope Gearbox rethinks.

Borderlands 4 hasn’t been officially revealed yet, but multiple hints point to it being deep in development. From leaked job postings at Gearbox Software to hints in past DLCs and spin-offs like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, fans are eager to return to the chaotic universe of loot and lasers.

With next-gen hardware, more co-op-friendly tools, and a more competitive looter-shooter market, Borderlands 4 has an opportunity to innovate if it listens to its fans.

We want to explore Borderlands like never before. Previous titles featured large zones, but required frequent load screens and fast-travel interruptions. Borderlands 4 should deliver a more seamless, open-world experience with massive biomes, lush jungles, alien cities, abandoned spaceports, and icy wastelands tied together without the friction.

Imagine driving from one region to another without hitting a loading screen or re-spawning enemies at every checkpoint. This kind of immersion would transform the Borderlands experience.

One of the most requested features from players is deeper character customization. We love the personality of the Vault Hunters, but in Borderlands 4, we’d like to shape our own.

We’re talking about hybrid classes, modular skill trees, and optional backstories. Let players tweak outfits, voices, emotes, and even power color schemes. It’s time for Vault Hunters to feel truly unique not just in playstyle, but in identity.

Combat is the core of Borderlands, and it’s due for a refresh. Rather than bullet-sponge mobs or predictable movement patterns, Borderlands 4 should include smarter, scalable enemy AI.

Enemies could flank, call for backup, or use elemental resistances intelligently. This wouldn’t just increase difficulty, it would boost strategy and keep encounters fresh after dozens of hours.

Borderlands 4 should make it easier for friends and families to play together. Features like:

Drop-in, drop-out multiplayer without progress loss.

Offline or local split-screen modes.

AI companions for solo players.

Whether you're teaming up online or handing a controller to your kid, flexibility is key. Players want the choice to grind solo, go full squad, or mix both styles fluidly.

Loot is everything in Borderlands, but sorting through it shouldn’t feel like a chore. In Borderlands 4, we want:

Auto-sorting for junk or duplicate weapons.

Loot filters for rarity or damage types.

Easier comparison systems.

Getting a legendary drop should feel exciting, not like opening your 50th "meh" SMG. Make loot meaningful again.

With Unreal Engine 5 now mainstream, Borderlands 4 is expected to push visuals into the next dimension. We’re hoping for:

Improved lighting, character models, and weapon animations.

More reactive environments (destructible cover, real-time weather).

4K at 60 FPS on consoles and PC.

Smooth gunplay isn’t just about looks, it's about feel. Borderlands 4 has the chance to become a visual and mechanical benchmark for the genre.

Let us play together regardless of platform. Borderlands 3 introduced crossplay later in its life, but Borderlands 4 should have it from day one.

Cross-save would also be a game-changer. Whether you’re swapping between console and PC or upgrading systems, your progress should follow you.

We love the wacky chaos, but Borderlands 4 could benefit from a deeper, more cinematic narrative. Players want:

Story choices that shape outcomes.

Emotional arcs (like Tales from the Borderlands).

Deeper lore about Vaults, Eridians, and new galaxies.

Blend comedy with consequence. The series has the potential for great storytelling; it just needs to go all in.

Fetch quests and kill-10-enemy missions get old fast. Fans want:

Mini-stories.

Puzzle or stealth side missions.

Unexpected outcomes or branching paths.

Side content should enhance the world, not pad the playtime.

The Borderlands style of humor loud, random, meme-heavy has its fans, but not everyone loves it 20 hours in. Borderlands 4 can still be funny, but it needs balance. Take cues from Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, which injected emotional depth into fantasy absurdity.

Menu time should be minimal. Navigating dozens of guns and shields slows the pace. Fans want quick marking, selling, and loadout-switching. Bonus points if you can manage inventory mid-combat or during co-op.

Gamers hate being forced online just to play alone. Give us a full offline mode so we can enjoy the game without internet worries or server issues. Especially important for kids or remote players.

We get it cosmetic DLCs are fine. But keep pay-to-win systems, loot boxes, and in-your-face cash shops out of Borderlands 4. Reward grinding, not wallets.

While Borderlands 4 hasn’t been confirmed publicly, Gearbox Software is almost certainly at the helm. Publisher 2K Games has been quiet, but fans believe an announcement is imminent, possibly at events like The Game Awards or Summer Game Fest.

Veteran voice actors such as Ashly Burch (Tiny Tina) and Bruce DuBose (Marcus) are expected to return, depending on the character lineup.

No official release date has been announced, but based on development cycles and leak timelines, late 2025 to mid-2026 is a strong possibility. Gearbox has hinted at major projects in the pipeline, and Borderlands 4 seems like the crown jewel.

We’ve explored Pandora, Promethea, Eden-6, and more but the universe is vast. Borderlands 4 could introduce:

New planets with unique ecosystems.

Space stations or Eridian ruins.

Interdimensional rifts (hinted at in Wonderlands).

We’d love to return to classic locations with evolved designs too. A more connected world could open deeper lore and fast-paced exploration.

Borderlands 4 has the potential to be the best in the series if it dares to evolve. Fans want smoother gameplay, smarter storytelling, and more meaningful loot. At the same time, it’s essential to preserve what made the franchise beloved: co-op chaos, iconic characters, and jaw-dropping weapons.

As we wait for the official reveal, one thing’s clear: Borderlands 4 is one of the most anticipated loot shooters in gaming. Here’s hoping Gearbox gives us the Vault Hunter adventure we’ve been waiting for.

What feature do you want most or least in Borderlands 4? Drop your thoughts!