Borderlands 4 Pre-Order Starting Sooner Than Expected

Borderlands used to be one of the most famous first-person shooter series ever made. Few games could match its unique cel-shaded art style, loot-heavy gameplay, and over-the-top comedy. Fans thought the series lost its way after Borderlands 2, though. While Borderlands 3 had its moments, it didn't quite capture the magic that made the earlier titles so special. Now, after years of waiting, Gearbox is back with Borderlands 4—and it's shaping up to be the comeback that could bring the franchise roaring back to life.

The game will finally come out on September 12, 2025, which is earlier than what was originally planned. Moving up a release date is a rare move that has made people more excited and says that everything is going well behind the scenes. More updates are coming in now that the start date is getting close. There's a lot to talk about. From major gameplay changes to new characters and some surprising design choices, Borderlands 4 looks ready to remind everyone why this series once ruled the looter-shooter genre.

Gearbox isn't taking any chances this time. They've already revealed that Borderlands 4 will feature a strong post-launch support plan. At least two new Vault Hunters are confirmed to be added after the game releases, along with new story content. Players can also expect a mix of free and paid DLC, similar to what we saw in previous Borderlands titles.

In the past, Borderlands 3 had two full season passes with a total of six paid expansions. It's not clear yet how many expansions Borderlands 4 will receive, but the direction is promising. Gearbox clearly plans to keep the content flowing, and the addition of both new characters and narrative expansions shows they're committed to giving fans reasons to stick around long after launch day.

One of the more controversial features in Borderlands 3 was the Mayhem Mode modifiers. These modifiers were added in an update after the game came out. They changed the game in odd ways, from changing the stats of weapons to changing how enemies behave. Some players liked the chaos, but others thought it was too much of a gamble and made the game too random.

As of now, Gearbox has stated that Borderlands 4 no longer has Mayhem modifiers. The game will replace them with "traits" that give enemies more depth without making them too hard to beat. These changes make the game more like action RPGs and are meant to keep the fighting interesting without slowing things down. 

This shift shows that Gearbox is listening to its community. Many longtime players wanted a more balanced experience, and this move suggests Borderlands 4 is going for smarter game design over gimmicky randomness.

From what we've seen so far, Borderlands 4 is leaning back into the feel of the first two games. The creative team seems to understand that fans miss the tone and style of Borderlands 2—the satisfying loot grind, memorable characters, and humor that didn't feel forced or excessive.

Even so, the gameplay isn't stuck in the past. While combat and movement have seen updates to make them feel more modern, the core design is closer to Borderlands 1 and 2. Legendary loot is being reworked to actually feel special again, which was a major complaint in the last game. The humor is also being toned down slightly. Instead of endless jokes and toilet humor, Gearbox is promising a more balanced approach—blending laughs with meaningful storytelling.

One of the more surprising elements in recent gameplay footage is the absence of a mini-map. For over a decade, Borderlands games have used a small map in the corner of the screen to help players navigate. Its sudden disappearance has sparked debate.

Some think it was simply disabled for the demo footage, but others believe it might be gone entirely. Instead, players now have Echo 4, a robotic companion similar to Destiny's Ghost. Echo 4 works like a GPS, showing players the way to goals instead of a confusing map on the screen. You can also hack, scan the surroundings, and talk to terminals with it.

If true, this change could make discovery more fun. That's a big step, and some fans might miss the small map, but Echo 4 might be a better choice. 

With the launch coming sooner than expected, many are wondering when pre-orders will go live. Right now, they're not open, but that could change very soon. Gearbox is hosting a major Borderlands 4 panel at PAX East on May 9, and pre-orders will likely go live during or immediately after the event.

Some of Gearbox's best creative minds, like Randy Pitchford, Andrew Reiner, and a few members of the story and design teams, will be on the panel. They'll talk in depth about the game's mechanics, personalities, and world-building, and they might even talk about the physical edition and collector's sets during the session. If you're a collector or just want to lock in your copy early, it's definitely worth tuning in or keeping an eye on the announcements that day.

It's too early to say for sure, but all signs are pointing toward Borderlands 4 being the best entry since Borderlands 2. Gearbox is clearly taking feedback seriously. From the removal of mayhem modifiers to the likely removal (or overhaul) of the mini map, they're making big changes to deliver the experience fans have been asking for.

The return to a more grounded, classic gameplay loop—while still evolving the formula where it counts—could be exactly what the series needs. Borderlands 4 seems to be capturing the fun, challenge, and charm that made the first two games so beloved, without the bloat and noise that dragged down later installments.

We'll know more after PAX East, but for now, the hype is real. If Gearbox sticks the landing, this could be the Borderlands game that brings the franchise back to the top of the FPS world.