Gearbox has chosen a bold path: Borderlands 4 ditches the classic minimap, but due to player feedback, an optional combat radar will be included – all while a brutal dictator rules the war-torn planet of Kairos.
The absence of navigation tools sparked debate when early footage of Borderlands 4 revealed there would be no minimap. Some fans were outraged, but Gearbox responded with a middle-ground solution: an optional combat radar will be implemented. Meanwhile, the game includes several navigation aids: a support drone that can map routes like a clairvoyant spell in Oblivion Remastered, and a compass that highlights objectives and even indicates their elevation—something minimaps have historically struggled with.
During a recent showcase, fans raised concerns about situational awareness in combat. The UI team and the game’s creative director responded by building the new combat radar, which will be turned off by default.
“Borderlands 4 is bigger and more seamless than anything we’ve done before. It features main quests and tons of side missions, often with objectives that extend beyond what a typical minimap can handle. That’s why we’ve invested in improving the main map—making it faster, smarter, and more useful. We’ve also upgraded navigation tools like the compass and our AI drone companion, EchoBot. Those who pushed for a combat radar were right. We’ve gotten good with the compass, but combat is all about feel. Should we really expect every player to master the compass for enemy positioning?” said Randy Pitchford.
The new story trailer reveals the rise of the Timekeeper, a ruthless cyber-dictator who rules over Kairos with an iron grip. His regime enforces the Bolt—a cybernetic spinal implant used to control the population. Shortly after crash-landing on the planet, the Vault Hunters are captured and forcibly implanted with the Bolt, trapping them within Kairos.
The Timekeeper rules from Dominion City, an impenetrable fortress. When Elpis enters Kairos’s orbit and causes catastrophic devastation, the Timekeeper locks down the city and sends out his commanders to enforce his rule. But rebellion is brewing, and a revolution begins to rise. Claptrap, self-declared mastermind of the Crimson Resistance, is eager to recruit the Vault Hunters for the uprising.
Borderlands 4 is a chaotic looter shooter overflowing with billions of weapons, ridiculous enemies, and frantic cooperative action. Explore the dangerous world of Kairos as one of four brand-new Vault Hunters and rise against a dictator. Utilize new traversal mechanics like double jumping, gliding, dodging, and fixed-point grappling to unleash carnage. Fight solo or with up to three friends in this expansive sci-fi adventure filled with open exploration, intense boss fights, endless loot, and a wild cast of new and familiar characters.
Borderlands 4 launches on September 12 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC. A Nintendo Switch 2 port is planned for later this year.
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