Borderlands 4 fans are encountering a setback just before the game’s September 12 release. According to Metacritic, the review embargo for the highly anticipated looter-shooter will lift later in the week, meaning critical impressions will not be available until after the game is on sale. This has caused frustration among players who were hoping for early reviews to help them decide on a purchase.
Fans have been actively discussing the new game across several online platforms, particularly on Reddit, where many have expressed frustration over the lack of pre-launch reviews. This concern is especially strong given the mixed reception of its predecessor, Borderlands 3.
The community had anticipated that developer Gearbox Software and publisher 2K would grant critics early access for this release; however, the late review embargo has created considerable worry. One user noted that while an embargo is not always a negative sign, the absence of early feedback has made them hesitant to pre-order.
Reactions to the embargo have been mixed. Some players view it as a “red flag,” speculating that it may indicate underlying technical or gameplay issues that the publisher wants to hide until after the launch. Others argue that such embargoes are becoming a standard practice for major titles and do not necessarily predict a negative outcome. Several players have also pointed out that both critically acclaimed and poorly received games have been released under similar conditions.
Discussions have also focused on potential performance issues, particularly concerning the PC version. Reports suggest that even high-end graphics cards are struggling to maintain stable frame rates, leading to speculation about whether a day-one patch is needed to fix these issues. Console players have also voiced doubts about the game’s performance on hardware such as the Xbox Series S.
Borderlands 4 is being developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K. It serves as the direct sequel to Borderlands 3 and marks the fifth mainline entry in the series. The game launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on September 12, 2025, followed by a release on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3, 2025.
