Borderlands 4 Reviews Better Than Borderlands 3, But Doesn't Quite Measure Up To The Best Game In The Series

Borderlands 4 launches with positive reviews - 84 points on Metacritic and 87 on OpenCritic. It's a significant improvement over the controversial third installment, but still doesn't reach the legendary Borderlands 2 with its 89 points.

How is Borderlands 4 performing in reviews?

Borderlands 4 has finally reached critics' hands, and the initial reviews look promising. After the disappointment of Borderlands 3, which divided the fanbase and many considered the weakest entry in the series, it seems that Gearbox Software has found its way back to success.

Current Metacritic rating stands at 84 points, while on OpenCritic the game scores 87 points. For comparison:

• Borderlands 2: 89 points (still the king of the series)
• Borderlands 3: 81 points (controversial and divisive)
• Borderlands 4: 84-87 points (return to form)

Why was Borderlands 3 so controversial? The main criticism was directed at the boring story, annoying characters, and the feeling that the series lost its original charm and humor.

Highest ratings from critics

Perfect score from XboxEra

Jesse Norris from XboxEra gave the game a perfect rating and called Borderlands 4 the best looter shooter he's ever played:

"I have no major faults, only a few minor gripes about one character and how long bodies take to disappear when you want to grab the loot underneath 'em. Otherwise, Borderlands 4 is a masterpiece. For all the hours I have already played, I could easily see myself putting in another thousand over the years, loving every second of it."

Screen Rant: 9/10

Brandon Key from Screen Rant gave the game 9 out of 10 points and emphasized:

"I can honestly say that Borderlands 4 is the most fun I've ever had with the series. Charming writing, great characters, smooth gameplay, and a consistent loot rush pushed me to do 'just one more' mission into the wee hours of the morning over and over."

VGC: 4/5

Jordan Middle from VGC awarded 4 stars out of 5 with the note:

"Borderlands 4 is a great RPG shooter with rewarding, engrossing gameplay. Some of the set dressing, like the bland new characters and pointless grappling hook, take the shine off, but the sheer amount of fun we've had with the game can't be overlooked."

What does Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford say?

Randy Pitchford, co-founder of Gearbox studio, already declared at Gamescom 2024 that he has absolute confidence in the new installment:

"I'm not just confident, but absolutely convinced that Borderlands 4 is the best Borderlands game we've ever made. You can feel [that] in past Borderlands games, where we push boundaries that were too far on this or that. Borderlands 4, now knowing all those boundaries, can commit to this perfect centre space."

Key improvements over the third game

✅ Return of quality humor

Critics praise the return of original Borderlands humor, which many missed in the third installment.

✅ Better characters and story

Unlike the annoying Calypso Twins from the third game, the fourth offers more interesting antagonists and supporting characters.

✅ Enhanced gameplay

Smoother shooting, better loot system, and overall more polished mechanics.

✅ Optimization and stability

Borderlands 3 suffered from technical issues at launch - the fourth is reportedly better optimized.

What's still missing for perfection?

Release date and platforms

Borderlands 4 releases on the following dates:

• PC: September 11, 2025
• PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S: September 12, 2025
• Nintendo Switch 2: October 3, 2025

💡 Fun fact: The game will support cross-platform play across all platforms, which is a great advantage for cooperative experience.

Fanbase expectations vs. reality

While critics are mostly positive, the real test will come with the reaction of long-term series fans. The Borderlands community is very passionate and has clear ideas about what makes the series great:

What fans want:

• Return of atmosphere from the first two games
• Less cringe humor than in the third
• Better balanced difficulty and progression
• Long-term support with quality DLC

What seems promising so far:

• Critics confirm return of classic feeling
• Enhanced cooperation and multiplayer elements
• More stable technical state at launch

Why does Borderlands 2 still rule?

Borderlands 2 maintains its position as the best game in the series thanks to:

• Legendary antagonist Handsome Jack
• Perfectly balanced humor and tone
• Iconic characters like Tiny Tina or Claptrap
• Long-term support with quality DLC
• Nostalgia - for many players, it was their first contact with the series

If you've never played Borderlands, I recommend starting with Borderlands 2 + all DLC. It's still the best entry point into the series.

My recommendations

Borderlands 4 looks like a return to success for the series after the disappointment of the third game. Although it doesn't reach the legendary status of the second game, it seems that Gearbox understood what fans wanted and delivered it.

Recommendations:

• For series fans: Definitely worth buying, but maybe wait for first user reviews
• For newcomers: Start with Borderlands 2, then move to the fourth
• For third game skeptics: It looks like Gearbox learned from their mistakes

Action steps:

1. Watch user reviews the first week after release
2. Try cooperative mode with friends - that's where the series shines most
3. Wait for eventual Bundle with DLC if you're not in a hurry

FAQ

Q: Is Borderlands 4 better than Borderlands 3?
A: According to first reviews, yes - it has a higher score (84 vs 81), better characters, and return of classic series humor.

Q: Does Borderlands 4 reach the quality of Borderlands 2?
A: Not yet. With 84-87 points, it's very good, but the legendary second game still has 89 points and cult status.

Q: When exactly does Borderlands 4 come out?
A: PC September 11, consoles September 12, 2025. Nintendo Switch 2 not until October 3, 2025.

Q: Does Borderlands 4 support cross-platform play?
A: Yes, the game will offer cross-platform multiplayer across all platforms.

Q: Should I wait for user reviews or buy right away?
A: If you're a series fan, the critical reviews look promising. For skeptics, I recommend waiting for player reactions the first week.

Q: Is it necessary to play previous games before Borderlands 4?
A: No, but I recommend at least Borderlands 2 for understanding the universe and references.

Q: What are the main improvements over the third game?
A: Enhanced humor, better characters, smoother gameplay, and reportedly more stable technical state.

My conclusion

Borderlands 4 appears to be a return to success for the series after the third game's disappointment. While it doesn't achieve the legendary status of the second game, it seems Gearbox understood what fans wanted and delivered.

Action steps:

1. Monitor user reviews during the first week after release
2. Try cooperative mode with friends - that's where the series truly shines
3. Wait for potential bundles with DLC if you're not in a hurry

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