Borderlands 4 Takes a Bold New Direction, But Risks Losing Its Spirit in the Quest to Eliminate “Cringe” – Preview

Sure, here’s a rewritten version with a natural, human-like approach:

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So, Borderlands 4, right? It’s like the series got a new haircut and fancy suit, trying to be grown-up and polished and all that. It’s not as off-the-wall as you’d remember, but still, there’s something intriguing about this makeover. You know that feeling when something you love just changes suddenly? Yeah, that’s kind of what’s happening here.

The game tosses us onto this fresh planet, Kairos. Never even heard of it — haven’t seen the Claptraps or those giant gun companies there. But then, bam, a moon crashes through and now it’s chaos everywhere. There’s this weird blend of the old and new characters, new weapons, and, let’s be honest, the vibe is just different.

Anyway, let me ramble a bit. The landscapes, oh, they’re gorgeous! This time, they’re ditching those loading screens for one massive world. During my sneak peek, I stumbled upon all sorts of hidden stuff — wooden ramps off cliffs, secret bosses lurking in places most folks missed. There’s magic in that discovery, you know? Feels a bit like Destiny, but in a good way, not the boring kind.

And yet, when you’re not shooting things, the world feels kinda empty. Gearbox tried stuffing it with collectibles and random events, like surprises popping up while you wander aimlessly. I only caught one — some spaceship you can loot — but mostly my drives were just scenery and silence. It’s like a beautifully decorated cake with not much in the middle.

But, and I promise this is the last of my complaining, the fights are still a blast! Picking up guns is a thrill because they’ve got all these funky tweaks now. Your shotgun’s not just a shotgun; it’s a tiny walking turret or something. The guns aren’t tied to brands anymore, and honestly, that’s just weird. It used to be like each brand had its distinct flavor. Now, everything’s smooshed into this soup of options. Like, is it still a Ferrari if you put a Bugatti engine in it? You see what I mean?

They’ve overhauled the humor, too. It’s like Borderlands wanted to grow up. There’s a character, Rush, who’s all about muscles and protein shakes. He’s fun, I guess? But where are those ridiculous jokes, the silly missions? Seriously, one side mission had me fetch some Claptrap’s stuff, and it was hilarious! But the main quest went all serious and mature all of a sudden. Where’s the slapstick comedy?

I want to say, there’s beauty in this new direction. Like when Claptrap makes you blow his old stuff up on a lake, saying goodbye to the old ways. Maybe it’s brave — I don’t know. But it left me a bit nostalgic; the old madness had its charm.

And vaults, oh man, they are still the big draw. There’s a boss fight at the end, and it’s epic. You’re dodging, swinging, just clinging to life, and that part totally nailed it. But after defeating the boss, two measly chests? It’s like getting a tiny slice after shoveling through a mountain of mashed potatoes. Ah, well.

Borderlands 4 is a curious beast. If you love the old games, this one’s a different journey. It asks for an open mind — like a fresh start, not just more of the same. And if you’re still holding onto those old vibes, you might find it a tough transition, with barely a wink or a joke to ease the change.

Got my hands on this at some exclusive event, so everything was all shiny and new. But hey, that’s just my take on it.