The wait for Borderlands 4 is nearing its end, with the highly anticipated title from Gearbox slated for a September release. As the launch window approaches, the developer has commenced lifting the veil on the game`s new cast of playable Vault Hunters, beginning with a detailed introduction to a fresh face wielding ancient, mysterious powers: Vex, the Siren.
Sirens are a cornerstone of the Borderlands universe, individuals marked by distinct glowing tattoos and possessing reality-bending abilities. Vex joins this lineage, but her power manifests in a particularly unique fashion. Unlike previous Sirens who manipulated elements, time, or dimensions directly, Vex taps into her newfound strength to summon a loyal, if perhaps slightly unsettling, squad of minions. This positions her firmly as the series` first playable character leaning into a necromancer or pet-class archetype.
Vex`s abilities are showcased in recent trailers and gameplay overviews, revealing a toolkit centered around summoning and enhancing her spectral allies. A significant portion of her skill trees is dedicated to a large, alien cat companion named Trouble. Trouble isn`t just for show; Vex can summon the creature, strategically teleport it around the battlefield, and augment its capabilities. Depending on the chosen build, Trouble can be molded into a resilient tank, a distracting taunt, or even a volatile explosive device – versatile enough to cause… well, trouble.
Beyond her command over minions, Vex retains access to more traditional Siren-like powers, demonstrating the versatility of her lineage. Gameplay footage indicates she can unleash blasts of phase energy, manifest temporary wings for mobility (or perhaps just dramatic flair), conjure a defensive or offensive orb/turret, and even fire projectiles from her free hand during combat. Her action skills further solidify her unique identity. One option allows her to summon ethereal copies of herself, providing ranged firepower, while another projects a psychic reaper – a far more aggressive manifestation designed for close-quarters engagement. Players keen on min-maxing can already pore over her revealed skill trees to plan their optimal chaos-inducing builds.
Adding depth to her sudden arrival on the scene, Gearbox also released an animated short titled “Purple Friday.” In classic Borderlands style, the short is a blend of cartoonish violence and dark humor. It depicts Vex`s rather inconvenient acquisition of Siren powers while working a mundane retail job – a stressful event made significantly more complicated by manifesting devastating abilities mid-shift. The short details her chaotic escape, introduces a potential romantic interest, features an encounter with a demanding customer (an ideal catalyst for catastrophic power activation, if we`re honest), and even manages to include a subtle gag that some fans interpret as a playful jab at Borderlands 3. It concludes by teasing the assembly of the new Vault Hunter team, hinting that introductions for the remaining characters are on the horizon.
Borderlands 4 is set to launch on September 12 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. A version for the Nintendo Switch 2 is planned for release later in 2025. With Vex leading the charge with her distinct minion-focused gameplay, it appears Gearbox is ready to shake up the Vault Hunter formula while retaining the series` signature chaotic charm.
Ellis Thorne