Last updated: March 12, 2026

Borderlands 4 — Shooter game by Gearbox Software
RISING

Borderlands 4 — Is It Worth Playing in 2026?

8,527 players at 24-hour peak
PC (Steam) Shooter $69.99 Mixed 53,252 reviews

Why Borderlands 4 Is Trending Right Now

Borderlands 4 is trending downward hard: player count dropped 69% in the past week, now sitting at just 8,527 concurrent players five months after launch. The sharp decline signals players are abandoning ship despite Gearbox's recent patches addressing lag and performance issues.

Reviewers praise the co-op chaos and signature Borderlands humor, but 62% mixed Steam reviews and an 81 Metacritic reflect player frustration. The core issue: $69.99 feels unjustified when optimization problems persist and the playerbase is hemorrhaging faster than the game's guns fire.

Key Stats

24h Peak Players
8,527
Review Score
62% Positive
Price
$69.99
Released
Sep 11, 2025
Developer
Gearbox Software
Genre
Platform
PC (Steam)

Trending in the Steam Shooter category with 8,527 concurrent players and Trending on Steam this week.

What the Community Is Saying

62%
Mixed
53,252 Steam reviews
Positive
62%
Negative
38%

Players love the irreverent co-op chaos and character humor that define Borderlands, but Gearbox's $70 launch price, stuttering performance, and rapid player exodus have soured the community. The core game is solid—the execution and value proposition are not.

👍 Recommended 5h played

I looks like they patched the lag issue, the game is running really smooth on my computer, aside from the rare pop-in and stutter, with a little screen tearing. But it seems I see it less and less if you are in a map for long enough. Fun silly characters as all the previous games. I would wait for it to be on sale before you buy it though. 70 dollars is bs and we know it.

👎 Not Recommended 73h played

Leaving a bad review because this game somehow became Steam Deck verified? Absolutely no way to justify that badge. The game is NOT playable on Steam Deck, don't be fooled. 20fps is not worthy of the verified badge. Valve wtf are you doing??

Should You Play It? Pros & Cons

✅ Reasons to Play

  • 4-player co-op mayhem with billions of weapon combinations—the franchise staple remains solid
  • Gearbox's irreverent character writing and dialogue are genuinely funny
  • Recent patches improved lag and frame stability noticeably
  • 81/100 Metacritic indicates strong core gameplay when servers cooperate

❌ Things to Consider

  • Player exodus: 8,527 concurrent peak is abysmal for a major AAA shooter five months post-launch
  • $69.99 price widely criticized as tone-deaf—players universally recommend waiting for a sale
  • Performance issues persist: pop-in, stuttering, screen tearing occur even in optimized maps

Should You Play Borderlands 4?

Borderlands 4 holds mixed reviews on Steam with a 62% positive rating, received mixed reactions from players. It attracts a healthy 8,527 players at peak, showing strong player retention for a Shooter title. Some players find it compelling, while others have noted areas for improvement — reading recent reviews is recommended.

Borderlands 4 is premium priced at $69.99 on Steam, developed by Gearbox Software. Shooter fans who want tight gunplay and competitive depth will find this worth their time. Whether playing solo or with friends, Borderlands 4 offers solid replayability in the shooter genre.

Should You Play Borderlands 4?

Borderlands 4 holds mixed reviews on Steam with a 62% positive rating, received mixed reactions from players. It attracts a healthy 8,527 players at peak, showing strong player retention for a game title. Some players find it compelling, while others have noted areas for improvement — reading recent reviews is recommended.

Borderlands 4 is premium priced at $69.99 on Steam, developed by Gearbox Software. Players who enjoy the game genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find Borderlands 4 worth checking out.

Common Questions About Borderlands 4

Is Borderlands 4 still worth buying at full price?

No. Wait for a 30-50% discount or Game Pass. The -69% weekly player drop and mixed review split (53,252 reviews, 62% positive) signal that Gearbox overpriced and underdelivered on optimization. Community consensus is unanimous: $70 is too much.

How hard is it to find co-op matches?

With only 8,527 concurrent players, matchmaking can be sluggish outside peak hours. The game is designed around 4-player squads, so bring friends rather than relying on public sessions.

Have the performance problems been fixed?

Partially. Recent patches reduced lag noticeably, but pop-in, stuttering, and screen tearing still appear regularly. Not unplayable, but far from smooth for a $70 AAA title.

Is it worth $69.99, or should I wait for a sale?

Wait. The 62% mixed review score, -69% weekly player drop, and universal feedback calling the price unjustified mean discounts are coming soon. Target entry: $39.99-$49.99 range.

Is it free to play?

No, Borderlands 4 costs $69.99 on Steam. It is not a free-to-play game, though Steam sales occasionally offer discounts.

How many people play Borderlands 4?

Borderlands 4 has reached 8,527 players at its 24-hour peak. Player counts fluctuate with updates, sales, and new content — check SteamDB for the latest live data.