Borderlands 4 Has Me Logging In for One Thing and It’s Not the Endgame
It pains me to say this, but I haven’t spent more than maybe an hour total over the last few weeks playing Borderlands 4. Some might say, “It’s a single-player game. What do you expect?” Others might say with a hint of sarcasm, “It can’t be because of all the great games that have come out since then.” While both statements are true, though, this is Borderlands — and not just Borderlands, but Borderlands 4. This was supposed to be a soft reboot of the franchise, and my first 70 hours in it still had me convinced that I would stick around for at least 70 more. That couldn’t be further from reality.
Maybe it’s on me for expecting Borderlands 4 to keep me invested for longer than a month after its release, although I had no idea that Arc Raiders would eat up as much of my time as it has. Even with my newfound extraction-shooter obsession, however, I assumed Borderlands 4‘s live-service trappings and generously touted endgame would be enough to at least keep me coming back occasionally. But alas, I’ve only been returning to the game for one thing lately, and it sure isn’t any of that.
Borderlands 4 SHiFT Codes Are the Only Reason I’m Logging In
You read that header right — Borderlands 4 SHiFT codes are the only reason I’m logging in these days. While I don’t have to actually get into the game to redeem said codes, I do need to play it in order to actually use the Golden Keys they give me. Even then, I start up Borderlands 4, use my new Golden Keys on a Golden Chest, grab all the loot it gives me, then sort through it to determine what I want to keep and what I want to sell. If something looks interesting enough, I might even test it out for a bit on some nearby baddies.
I know I’m not alone in this either, as I’ve noticed other players, like @HorribleBloke on X, are only logging in to redeem Golden Keys as well. But that’s it. I have no drive to keep playing the game right now, and while I am looking forward to Borderlands 4‘s How Rush Saved Mercenary Day DLC (if not just to see what it’s all about), I’m not holding my breath for it.
Again, this really could be because of all the great games that have launched since Borderlands 4. Games like Arc Raiders, Ghost of Yotei, and The Outer Worlds 2 have all had my attention as of late, and the last thing I want to do is play a bit of Borderlands 4. I would like to say I’ll be back for good some day — maybe once the first major DLC drops — but my future with Borderlands 4 looks every bit unrealistic at the moment. I can see myself playing the game’s DLC packs for a couple of hours only to compare any semblance of fun I’m having to the fun I’d rather be having in a different game.
Sure, Borderlands 4‘s endgame is there for me to play… I think. There’s Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (which doesn’t even affect drop rates, by the way), then Specializations and Firmware to farm. Moxxi’s Big Encore Machine and weekly Wildcard Missions are something to keep me coming back for more loot. But what is all of it for? I’m going to get more and better guns, but for what?
To be honest, that has always been my question with Borderlands‘ endgame. They aren’t live-service games, but they have a habit of pretending to be, and I somehow always let it trick me into thinking I’ll play for a lot longer than I do. It feels like something is there that is supposed to keep me coming back, and yet what is there is repetitive, shallow, and often feels pointless. At this point, I’m just hoping Borderlands 4‘s upcoming DLC packs have some good stories that I can sink my teeth into. For now, I suppose SHiFT codes will have to do.
- Released
-
September 12, 2025
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact