Borderlands 4: A Glorious Return, But PC Performance Needs a Tune-Up (Final Impressions)
As the dust settles on our extensive hands-on experience with Borderlands 4, a potent picture emerges. This latest installment in the beloved looter-shooter saga is shaping up to be a true classic, building upon the series’ established strengths while boldly venturing into new territory. The core gameplay loop, that irresistible blend of frantic gunplay, ludicrous loot acquisition, and irreverent humor, is as addictive as ever. However, our journey has not been without its technical blemishes, particularly on the PC platform, where initial performance hiccups are a significant concern. Nevertheless, we are optimistic that these issues will be addressed swiftly, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in what is undeniably a magnificent gaming experience.
The Thrill of the Hunt: Gameplay That Excels
From the moment we dropped into the vibrant, alien landscapes of Borderlands 4, the familiar yet fresh gameplay mechanics captivated us. The introduction of Rafa, the Exo-Soldier Vault Hunter, with his devastating Peacebreaker Cannons Action Skill, immediately showcased the game’s commitment to inventive combat. The sheer variety and satisfaction derived from wielding the game’s arsenal are paramount. Each weapon feels distinct, a testament to Gearbox’s unparalleled ability to craft unique and often absurd firearms. The randomly rolled weapon system, a cornerstone of the Borderlands franchise, returns with even more depth. Discovering a legendary weapon with a perfect set of perks can be a euphoric moment, transforming a challenging encounter into a glorious spectacle of destruction. This inherent replayability, driven by the pursuit of the ultimate loot, remains a powerful draw.
Beyond the satisfying gunplay, Borderlands 4 introduces a suite of new movement technologies that dramatically alter player traversal. The ability to glide, dash, and double-jump imbues the gameplay with a newfound verticality and fluidity. Navigating the battlefield is no longer a static affair; instead, it becomes a dynamic dance of evasion and aggression. This enhanced mobility synergizes brilliantly with the level design, creating opportunities for strategic flanking maneuvers and breathtaking aerial assaults. The world of Kairos, the new setting for Borderlands 4, is a sprawling, meticulously crafted environment that beckons exploration. Its diverse biomes and intricate layouts are perfectly suited to the expanded movement capabilities, ensuring that exploration is as engaging as combat.
The initial hours of Borderlands 4 are a masterclass in pacing, seamlessly guiding players through essential tutorials, lore exposition, and the satisfying grind of early-game leveling. The world-building of Kairos is particularly noteworthy. The narrative weaves a compelling tapestry of alien cultures, political intrigue, and ancient mysteries, all delivered with the series’ signature wit and charm. This commitment to environmental storytelling and lore integration elevates Borderlands 4 beyond a mere shooting gallery, offering a world players will genuinely want to delve into and understand. The quest design also deserves commendation, offering a mix of straightforward objectives and more elaborate, multi-stage missions that keep the experience fresh and engaging.
A Symphony of Style and Substance: Visuals and Unreal Engine 5
Visually, Borderlands 4 continues to push the boundaries of its distinctive cel-shaded art style, now enhanced by the power of Unreal Engine 5. The vibrant colors, exaggerated character models, and detailed environments are a feast for the eyes. The series’ unique artistic vision has always been a defining characteristic, and in Borderlands 4, it reaches new heights of polish and expressiveness. The character animations are fluid and dynamic, breathing life into the eccentric cast of characters. Environmental details, from the rustling of alien foliage to the shimmering heat haze of desert landscapes, are rendered with impressive fidelity.
The implementation of Unreal Engine 5 has allowed Gearbox to realize a seamless open world experience. The absence of traditional loading screens between distinct areas is a significant technical achievement, contributing to a more immersive and uninterrupted gameplay flow. Traversing from a bustling city hub to a desolate wasteland without jarring transitions is a testament to the engine’s capabilities and the development team’s expertise. This seamless world design not only enhances immersion but also encourages uninhibited exploration, allowing players to truly get lost in the vastness of Kairos. The visual fidelity, coupled with the fluid traversal, creates a sense of freedom and discovery that is utterly captivating.
The PC Performance Conundrum: Initial Hiccups and Optimism
Despite the overwhelming positives, our experience with Borderlands 4 on PC has been marred by significant performance issues. During our extensive playtesting, we encountered a range of disruptive problems, including frequent crashes, jarring hitching, noticeable stuttering, and dramatic framerate drops. These technical anomalies often detracted from the otherwise exhilarating gameplay, making it difficult to maintain a consistent and enjoyable experience. Even with the game set to its Low preset at a 1080p resolution, maintaining a stable framerate proved to be a considerable challenge.
The most pronounced performance degradation was observed in areas with a higher density of environmental assets, particularly those featuring abundant foliage. These sections would often devolve into slideshow-like presentations, severely impacting our ability to react to enemy threats and navigate the environment effectively. This was especially frustrating when utilizing the new Digirunner vehicle, which is designed for rapid traversal across the map. Engaging in high-speed chases or swift movements between points of interest would frequently trigger severe performance dips, leading to moments of complete unresponsiveness.
Our initial attempts to rectify these issues involved following recommendations from 2K PR, which suggested playing on Medium settings and disabling Upscaling. Unfortunately, these adjustments did not yield the desired results. We also diligently updated our graphics drivers and experimented with various in-game settings, but the persistent performance problems remained. This led to a growing concern about the game’s optimization on PC.
It is important to note that our PC, while powerful, is approximately three years old. Our specifications include a 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-12700K CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU. While these specifications should, in theory, allow the game to run comfortably on medium settings, the reality proved to be quite different. The fact that the game struggled even on its lowest settings, and with recommended adjustments, suggests a broader optimization challenge.
The situation escalated to a critical point when, during our playtesting, our PC experienced a complete shutdown and refused to power on. Upon diagnosis at a repair shop, it was discovered that the power supply unit (PSU) had failed. While this is a component issue with our personal hardware, it is worth considering whether the demanding nature of Borderlands 4 on PC, even in its pre-release state, may have contributed to the premature failure of the PSU, especially given that our system falls below the recommended GPU and RAM specifications according to information from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. Fortunately, after replacing the affected parts, our PC was restored to full functionality.
However, the underlying performance issues with the game itself persisted. We have also communicated with 2K PR regarding the broader impact of these issues. They have acknowledged that they are “aware of an issue with several video cards impacting game performance, and Gearbox is working on a fix targeting the Day 1 patch at launch.” This confirmation is a significant development and provides a strong ray of hope. The prospect of a Day 1 patch specifically designed to address these PC performance hiccups is incredibly welcome.
We are encouraged by the proactive stance of the development team and the clear intention to rectify these problems. The game itself is undeniably fun, offering an experience that is both familiar and refreshingly new. The core gameplay loop, the engaging narrative, and the sheer joy of discovering powerful loot are all present and accounted for. It would be a disservice to players if these technical issues prevent them from fully appreciating the magnificent experience that Borderlands 4 promises to be.
Beyond the Glitches: A Glimpse into Borderlands 4’s Potential
While the PC performance issues are a valid concern and undoubtedly require immediate attention, it is crucial to remember the immense potential that Borderlands 4 holds. The game represents a significant leap forward for the franchise, building upon the foundations laid by its predecessors while introducing innovative new mechanics and a richly detailed world. The sheer depth of content, from the expansive campaign to the myriad of side quests and endgame activities, suggests hundreds of hours of engaging gameplay.
The Exo-Soldier Vault Hunter Rafa is just one example of the unique and exciting characters players will encounter. Each Vault Hunter promises a distinct playstyle and a fresh perspective on the world of Borderlands 4. The synergy between different player abilities, especially in cooperative multiplayer, is a hallmark of the series, and we anticipate that Borderlands 4 will offer even more intricate and rewarding team dynamics. The potential for emergent gameplay, born from the unpredictable nature of loot drops and enemy encounters, remains as strong as ever.
The commitment to a seamless world design is not merely a technical flourish; it is a fundamental shift in how players will interact with the game environment. The ability to move freely without the interruption of loading screens fosters a sense of constant immersion and encourages organic exploration. This, combined with the enhanced movement options, creates a gameplay experience that is both exhilarating and deeply engaging. The promise of discovering hidden secrets, encountering unexpected challenges, and forging your own path through the vibrant world of Kairos is incredibly compelling.
We are confident that, with the upcoming Day 1 patch, the PC performance issues will be significantly mitigated, allowing players to experience Borderlands 4 as it was intended: a spectacular, polished, and utterly enjoyable adventure. The passion and dedication of the development team are evident in every aspect of the game, from its engaging narrative and diverse characters to its innovative gameplay mechanics and stunning visual design. Borderlands 4 is not just another entry in a beloved franchise; it is a bold evolution, poised to redefine what players expect from a looter shooter.
Looking Ahead: The Promise of a Day One Patch
The news that Gearbox is actively working on a fix targeting the Day 1 patch for PC performance issues is of paramount importance. This demonstrates a commitment to player experience and a willingness to address critical feedback before the game’s wider release. While our initial impressions were tempered by these technical challenges, the prospect of a significantly optimized experience upon launch is incredibly encouraging. We urge players to keep a close eye on official announcements regarding the patch details.
The fact that the developers are aware of specific issues impacting various video cards and are prioritizing a solution underscores the importance of PC performance. We are hopeful that this patch will not only resolve the stuttering and framerate drops we experienced but also improve overall stability and accessibility for a wider range of PC hardware configurations. The game’s ambition in utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and delivering a seamless open world is commendable, and a well-executed optimization pass will be crucial in allowing players to fully appreciate these advancements.
Our experience, while highlighting these performance concerns, has also solidified our belief that Borderlands 4 is destined for greatness. The core of the game – the shooting, the looting, the humor, and the adventure – is exceptionally strong. The initial technical hurdles are, we believe, temporary setbacks that will be overcome by the dedicated efforts of the development team. The future of Borderlands 4 on PC looks bright, and we eagerly anticipate a smooth and exhilarating launch.
In conclusion, Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be an unforgettable gaming experience. While initial PC performance concerns have been a talking point, the proactive measures being taken by Gearbox, particularly the focus on a Day 1 patch, offer significant reassurance. We are on the cusp of what promises to be a new classic in the looter-shooter genre, an adventure filled with boundless excitement, incredible loot, and the signature charm that has made the Borderlands franchise a fan favorite for years. The potential for this game to outrank its predecessors and set a new benchmark for the genre is undeniable, and we are eager to see it fully realized.