When it comes to Borderlands 4, Gearbox is looking to steer away from its heavy use of meme culture and toilet humor. Sam Winkler, the game’s narrative director, recently addressed some fan concerns online. He noted that the team is adjusting the tone after feedback suggested that the previous game leaned too heavily on memes and comedic elements that didn’t sit well with everyone.
Gearbox has been keeping fans on their toes with teasers, but the most significant reveal happened at The Game Awards 2024. Here, the debut trailer for Borderlands 4 finally dropped, showcasing some exciting new factions, villains, and a few glimpses of gameplay featuring the four vault hunters. While many details about the game are still under wraps, the brief snippets in the trailer gave fans just enough to speculate about.
Sam Winkler took to social media to confirm that Borderlands 4 is set to be Gearbox’s most ambitious project yet. However, when pressed about whether the game’s approach would shift to a darker, more serious tone, Winkler remained mostly tight-lipped. He did, however, acknowledge the previous game’s over-reliance on toilet humor, agreeing that pulling back is a wise move.
A burning question on everyone’s mind seems to be whether the series will abandon its quirky charm altogether. Winkler’s humorous take reassured fans that humor will remain a part of the game, just perhaps without the over-the-top toilet references. To clear any misconceptions, he humorously debunked the existence of a fantastical weapon called Hawk 2A after some speculation emerged online. It’s clear that the game is moving away from the meme-centric humor that dominated Borderlands 3.
Despite the intriguing trailer, the Borderlands 4 villain, The Timekeeper, remains shrouded in mystery, and little is known about the capabilities of the new vault hunters. Some fans have expressed frustration, feeling that the characters look underwhelming at this stage. Fortunately, with the game slated for release in 2025, Gearbox has ample time to flesh out details and quell those concerns before launch.
As anticipation builds, it’s certain that those eager to dive into the world of Borderlands 4 can look forward to a fresh take—one that balances the humor and action that made the series beloved while addressing past criticisms for a more refined experience.
