Kinda Funny Gamescast: Borderlands 4 State of Play Live Reaction – April 30, 2025

Hosts: Greg Miller, Blessing Adeoye Jr., Fran Mirabella III, Andy Cortez, Snowbike Mike

Introduction

In this episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, the hosts dive deep into their live reactions to the recently unveiled Borderlands 4 State of Play presentation. Released on April 30, 2025, the episode captures the hosts' initial impressions, critical analyses, and enthusiastic discussions surrounding the next installment in the beloved Borderlands franchise.

Visuals and Art Style

Andy Cortez initiates the conversation by expressing his mixed feelings about the visual presentation:

"[06:28] Andy Cortez: I was a bit disappointed by some of the flat nature of the overall visuals. Was hoping we'd get some sort of advancement in that area."

He appreciated the movement mechanics but felt the art style regressed slightly, lacking the vibrant dynamism that characterized previous entries.

Snowbike Mike echoes similar sentiments:

"[07:25] Snowbike Mike: Yeah, I didn't get knocked my socks off... it felt more like Destiny or Far Cry, which doesn't scream Borderlands."

"[08:57] Greg Miller: They just didn't show it yet, but we're hopeful it translates well to Switch 2."

Despite some criticisms, the hosts acknowledge improvements, particularly in weapon design and movement enhancements.

Tone and Humor

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the shifted tone of Borderlands 4. The hosts reminisce about the series' trademark humor and quirky characters, expressing concern that the new presentation lacked the over-the-top energy fans expect.

Fran Mirabella III aptly summarizes:

"[09:18] Fran Mirabella III: It felt like watching a long-standing restaurant updating its menu without changing the essence that fans love."

Blessing Adeoye Jr. adds:

"[09:53] Blessing Adio Ye Jr.: ...they showed a lot of new stuff and yeah, for me I could go a lot on the visuals. I will say I've always been hoping for a bigger upgrade, but this was the first time I did get to see the gameplay..."

While the production quality is praised, the absence of the series' signature humor and vibrant character interactions left some hosts yearning for more personality.

Gameplay Mechanics and Systems

Movement Enhancements: The introduction of new movement mechanics like glide and grapple hooks sparked excitement among the hosts. Andy Cortez highlighted:

"[15:16] Andy Cortez: Excites the hell out of me."

However, concerns about the implementation speed and fluidity were discussed, with Snowbike Mike noting:

"[07:25] Snowbike Mike: I think there's a lot to improve, but the core mechanics are there."

Weapon Customization: The revamped weapon system, featuring license parts and augments, was a focal point. Blessing Adeoye Jr. emphasized the potential for diverse builds:

"[52:56] Blessing Adio Ye Jr.: ...Borderlands is all about billions of iterations, combinations and all this."

This system aims to address previous critiques regarding loot saturation by making legendary drops more meaningful and unique.

Co-op Features: Crossplay and Cross Progression

One of the standout revelations came from a Super Chat by Matt Engman, a Gearbox developer, confirming the implementation of cross progression:

"[40:47] Greg Miller: ...cross progression through shift confirmed already."

This feature allows players to transfer save data and character progression across different platforms, a highly anticipated update. The hosts lauded this addition, recognizing its significance for the gaming community:

"[37:18] Blessing Adio Ye Jr.: Cross progression is always a big thing of mine."

Despite earlier skepticism about its absence, the confirmation of cross progression garnered positive responses, with Blessing Adeoye Jr. stating:

"[38:05] ... If it's in there, that's fricking awesome."

Open World and Mission Design

The presentation showcased the new planet Kairos, featuring a more open-world design with dynamic missions and activities. Greg Miller shared his enthusiasm:

"[08:57] Greg Miller: ...I love the idea of jumping online and be like, all right, I'm doing whatever. What's Andy drop into Andy's game, hopefully help him get a key..."

The integration of a drone companion, Echo 4, assists players in navigating the sprawling landscapes and undertaking diverse missions:

"[48:03] Greg Miller: ...they called out Echo 4, a drone following you, hacking and guiding you to objectives."

This system is designed to enhance the exploratory experience, encouraging players to engage with the environment more interactively.

Loot System Overhaul

Addressing previous iterations' issues with loot scarcity and overabundance, Borderlands 4 introduces a refined loot system:

"[54:06] Andy Cortez: ...I like all the gear management, but I'm exactly like Annie."

The new system emphasizes meaningful legendary drops and integrates weapon modding, allowing for personalized weapon builds without overwhelming the player with excessive loot.

Blessing Adeoye Jr. highlighted:

"[52:21] Blessing Adio Ye Jr.: ...combining this stuff is really awesome. And Borderlands is definitely about that."

This approach aims to balance excitement with practicality, ensuring that each drop feels rewarding and impactful.

Community and Developer Insights

Throughout the episode, the hosts interacted with live chats, incorporating community feedback and Super Chats that provided additional insights:

"[22:59] Fran Mirabella III: ...I think we need to push developers and publishers to support cross progression."

The collaborative atmosphere underscores Kinda Funny's commitment to engaging with their audience, fostering a space for honest and meaningful discussions about upcoming game releases.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express a mix of excitement and cautious optimism for Borderlands 4. While acknowledging areas that may need improvement, such as the art style and tonal consistency, they remain hopeful that the game's core strengths—its cooperative gameplay, expansive world, and deep customization—will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers.

Snowbike Mike concludes:

"[60:08] Snowbike Mike: We live in a weird one where we review these games before they're out to the public. So then it becomes do we have time?"

"[61:35] Greg Miller: Yeah. All right, we'll look into it."

The episode serves as a comprehensive overview of the hosts' first impressions of Borderlands 4, providing listeners with a nuanced perspective that balances enthusiasm with critical analysis.

Notable Quotes

• Andy Cortez (06:28): "I was a bit disappointed by some of the flat nature of the overall visuals."
• Fran Mirabella III (09:18): "It felt like watching a long-standing restaurant updating its menu without changing the essence that fans love."
• Blessing Adeoye Jr. (52:56): "Borderlands is all about billions of iterations, combinations and all this."
• Matt Engman (40:47): "Cross progression through shift confirmed already."
• Greg Miller (08:57): "I love the idea of jumping online and be like, all right, I'm doing whatever."

Final Remarks

The Kinda Funny Gamescast provides an insightful and engaging discussion on Borderlands 4, blending expert analysis with genuine passion for the series. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the franchise, this episode offers valuable perspectives to consider as the gaming community anticipates the next chapter in the Borderlands saga.