We finally got a release date for Borderlands 4 alongside a new trailer. And what’s this little detail in the new trailer? We can swim?!

borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 is bringing major changes to the franchise and mobility options are the biggest ones. But one thing that surprised us in the recently revealed trailer for the PlayStation State of Play is the small detail that Vault Hunters might finally be immune to one of their biggest hazards in the franchise.

A still from Borderlands 4 showing characters looking out on the horizon. Did Gearbox cook with this new potential feature? | Image Credit: Gearbox Software

In all these years of the Borderlands franchise, going into even shallow waters has been an instant hazard for us, but now, the new gameplay footage suggests that players will be able to swim. Gearbox Software has yet to confirm the feature or the extent of the mechanic, but from what we’ve seen about the other changes to mobility, it makes sense.

Borderlands 4 might change a core part of the franchise

A still from the Borderlands 4 trailer showing the player jumping in water.We might not have to be scared of water anymore. | Image Credit: Gearbox Software

For the first time in Borderlands history, it looks like Vault Hunters will be able to swim in water without dying. In the new trailer shown at PlayStation’s State of Play, a brief moment showed a Vault Hunter swimming In previous games, falling into the water was instant death, and it didn’t matter how deep or shallow the water was. So does this mean that we can explore the world by swimming now? Could we be getting some underwater levels?

While Gearbox has not officially confirmed this change, the implications are there for sure. Because why else include this obvious detail that players are sure to find? The game is also adding a ton of new mobility-focused features so something like this does make sense. We might just be getting some Titanfall style of movement fun with Borderlands 4.

The ability to swim naturally raises the question: Will players be able to fight underwater? In many games, underwater combat tends to be slower and more restrictive. It’s a complaint that we’ve seen time and again, and it continues to be so as fans are already wondering if Gearbox can even pull it off right.

Given the franchise’s history of over-the-top creativity, it wouldn’t be surprising if Borderlands 4 found a way to make underwater combat exciting. One big part to balance would be how smooth it feels to play. The gameplay in Borderlands games is fast and action-packed. So hopefully, any underwater section will feel smooth and fun to play.

It might be a big revival for the series

A still from the Borderlands 4 trailer showing new movement tech.We’re gonna be so fast now. | Image Credit: Gearbox Software

Outside of this hint at swimming, we also saw a lot of different mobility options in the trailer. Gearbox’s Chief Creative Officer, Randy Varnell, confirmed in a PlayStation Blog post that players can expect to “move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, fixed-point grappling, and more.”

These new features seem to hint at a focus on fast-paced combat and traversal. This will be unlike anything we’ve seen before in a Borderlands game, and that’s why it’s so exciting. If swimming is part of this expanded movement system, it could mean that water is no longer just an obstacle. In other news, some people online seem to think that the Borderlands 4 release date gives us hints at when GTA 6 will come out.

All that aside, Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be a big deal for the franchise. It’s been a while since the last game and expectations are high. The new game is set on the planet Kairos and introduces a new antagonist, the Timekeeper, who maintains order through oppressive control.