Borderlands 4 Launches to Strong Praise but Major PC Performance Issues Fans call it a return to form, but warn that only high-end PCs can handle it

Borderlands 4 officially launched on PC yesterday, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions rolling out today. While critics praised it as a strong return to form after Borderlands 3, early PC players quickly ran into performance roadblocks that have sparked heated discussion across the community.

🎮 Positive Gameplay Reception

Despite its rocky technical debut, many fans agree that Borderlands 4 captures what made the series so beloved:

Over-the-top weapons and chaotic combat.
A sense of humor and personality that feels true to the franchise.
Engaging co-op action with plenty of loot-driven progression.

For many, it’s the Borderlands sequel they’ve been waiting for.

💻 PC Performance Struggles

The praise, however, comes with a major caveat: poor PC optimization. Steam reviews dropped to “mostly negative” shortly after launch as players reported major performance issues.

Here’s what fans are saying:

“WARNING: If you want above 60fps 1440p and don’t have at least a 3080, I would not buy the game!”
“Game is fun, but optimization should be better, and Denuvo needs to be removed.”
“Performance drops from 60+ fps to 20-30 fps in some areas.”

A day-one patch has improved things for some, but many players still report stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent performance—especially on mid-range hardware.

🕹️ Console and Future Platforms

With the game now live on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, more players are joining in, and early impressions suggest console versions are running more smoothly than PC.

Additionally, Borderlands 4 is set to release on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3, expanding its reach to an even larger audience.

✅ Final Thoughts

Borderlands 4 may be one of the best entries in the franchise, but its launch highlights a familiar issue: PC performance problems tied to Unreal Engine 5 optimization. If you have a high-end rig, you’ll likely have a great time. But for those on weaker systems, waiting for additional patches may be the smarter move.

On console, however, fans can expect a smoother experience right out of the gate.