The hype for the Borderlands 4 is finally starting to get in motion, with fans eagerly rewatching the few trailers available online in anticipation of its 2025 release date. While many enjoyed Borderlands 3, the failed movie and general waning sentiment for the franchise has seen people fall a little out of love with the series. However, Borderlands 4 in all its glory seems to recapture the spirit of the older games while improving the series in all the right ways.

It is doing this, largely, by innovating. Borderlands 4 is implementing massive changes from Borderlands 3, shifting the tone and dropping a lot of the crude humor that defined its earlier releases. However, for all its improvements and innovations, Borderlands 4 is retaining one of the series' best qualities and something that a lot of other games have dropped completely over the years.

Borderlands 4 Is Keeping Split-Screen Gaming Alive

It Features Two-Player Split-Screen At Launch

Borderlands 4 got a swanky new trailer at the 2024 Game Awards, finally giving players an insight into what they can expect. This trailer gave players hope that it could actually be a strong entry in the somewhat waning franchise and the description of the game that followed further built hype for the looter shooter. Namely, Borderlands 4 is reviving co-op split-screen long after many had given up hope that it would stick around in the new era of photorealistic visuals and intensive requirements.

At launch, Borderlands 4 will two-player split-screen as well as four-player online co-op in which players take on the role of any of the four Vault Hunters. The entire story can be completed in this mode, ensuring that two friends can sit side by side and explore every region, take on every boss, and experience every story beat together. It's a wonderful thing to see, especially after other triple-A games canceled split-screen game modes, such as Halo Infinite, or skipped it on certain consoles like Baldur's Gate 3.

Of course, it remains to be seen just how well Borderlands 4 handles its split-screen mode, as Borderlands 3's attempt was somewhat buggy at launch. Nevertheless, it is great to see Gearbox fight for its inclusion even despite the technical complications that arise from attempting to implement it. The mode hasn't simply disappeared because fewer people are playing games together in person, although that is a factor.

Trying to get two instances of the same game running on the same screen is a challenge, and as games become more technically demanding, it becomes harder to warrant spending time and resources on getting it to work well. That's why it's always refreshing to see it implemented for those who miss the days of playing with their friends on the same couch or those who are simply looking for the best couch co-op games on consoles.

Split-Screen Has Always Been A Big Part Of Borderlands

Co-Op Is At The Heart Of The Series

Split-screen co-op has been a key feature in the Borderlands series since the very first game, initially allowing up to four-player split-screen before reducing it to just two in later entries. Playing a Borderlands game in co-op has always felt like the right and intended way, as the various antics players can get up to elevate the otherwise enjoyable FPS gameplay. As such, including split-screen felt like a must-have feature in Borderlands 4.

The original Borderlands game featured four-player local co-op on PC and consoles, while Borderlands 2 and onward only allowed for two-player split-screen. Additionally, the various Borderlands spin-off titles, including Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands also featured a two-player split-screen mode.

Split-screen was, for a long time, the de facto way of playing any type of console game with a friend, especially before the days of Xbox Live, Nintendo Online, and PlayStation Plus. There was no other option than to get on the same couch, grab a controller each, and spend hours running around blasting baddies, collecting weapons, and attempting to get into the most ridiculous situations possible.

Split-screen, for many, allowed video games to become the ultimate sandbox, even in entirely linear experiences. The Borderlands games, especially Borderlands 2, facilitated that better than most, as they were purpose-built for chaotic moments. At its core, even at its worst moments, Borderlands has always been about having fun. While Gearbox has made some questionable changes to Borderlands 4, its inclusion of split-screen co-op shows a determination to at least retain that core element of fun.

More Games Should Learn From Borderlands 4

Couch Co-Op Should Be Included In Most Games

As gaming evolves, older trends are phased out to allow room for new ones to blossom. For a long time, it has felt like split-screen co-op was one of those older trends destined to eventually fade into obscurity. However, there is still hope for it, at least, in certain situations. Not every game needs to feature split-screen co-op, and not every developer with a tight budget and limited development time needs to dedicate resources to it.

However, for games where it fits, for developers who can afford to implement it, and while the technology to incorporate it is still available, split-screen should make a triumphant return. It's appearance in Borderlands 4 is a great move and one that will hopefully see it appear in future titles by other developers. However, it would be great for split-screen to become an expected feature in the majority of triple-A titles where it makes sense, not one that fans hope for.

Unfortunately, outside of Borderlands 4, there doesn't seem to be much interest in it, even from franchises that once prioritized it. Gears of War: E-Day, for example, doesn't have a confirmed split-screen mode - although one could be added in the future - and Halo Infinite never saw its version release, despite promises from 343 that it would. Similarly, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 didn't feature a split-screen mode, despite being modeled on a genre that heavily featured it in the past.

For those who long for the days of sharing a couch, a bag of chips, and a 2-liter bottle of soda with a friend, not only does Borderlands 4 facilitate that, but it will hopefully see the return of fun to the living room once more.

There will be a cohort of people who never grew up playing split-screen games and those who prefer to play online without others nearby. To them, the inclusion of split-screen in Borderlands 4 won't seem like a big deal, especially as it's limited to just two players, unlike the four-player online alternative. However, for those who long for the days of sharing a couch, a bag of chips, and a 2-liter bottle of soda with a friend, not only does Borderlands 4 facilitate that, but it will hopefully see the return of fun to the living room once more.

Source: Borderlands/YouTube