Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford expressed his concerns over the challenge level in Borderlands 4, acknowledging that it might be too demanding for some players. He noted that while the game introduces tougher challenges, it also provides alternatives for players who prefer exploration and character interactions.

Pitchford stated during a conversation at Gamescom 2025: “We have lots of players that actually aren’t interested in deep, hard challenges; lots of people that love just exploring the Borderlands or spending time with the characters. I’m a little nervous because there are points of Borderlands 4 that are more challenging, but one of the coolest things about Borderlands 4 is… you can just grind somewhere and level up and become more powerful.”

Borderlands 4 may face scrutiny as it attempts to deliver a more intense experience compared to its predecessors. Amid mixed reception for Borderlands 3, where gameplay was praised but the writing criticized, there’s increased pressure for this next installment to impress. Players can look forward to grinding through easier areas to prepare for tougher encounters, keeping the spirit of the series alive.

Moreover, issues such as the absence of cross-save features at launch have emerged, leading to speculation on how players might adjust to these changes when the game releases on September 12, 2025.