The latest entry in Gearbox's beloved looter-shooter franchise is facing a wave of criticism from its player base, not for its content, but for its perceived failure to fully leverage the power of Sony's enhanced console, the PlayStation 5 Pro.
When Borderlands 4 launched to strong reviews and robust sales, it was hailed as a triumphant return to form for the series. Critics and fans alike praised its expansive worlds, refined gunplay, and the sheer volume of its signature chaotic action. However, for a significant portion of the community—those who invested in the premium PlayStation 5 Pro—the experience has been underwhelming. A growing chorus of players is expressing frustration over the game's lack of a dedicated PS5 Pro patch, leaving it performing nearly identically to the standard PS5 version and failing to utilize the console's additional power.
The core of the issue lies in the expectations set by the hardware itself. The PS5 Pro, with its more powerful GPU and bespoke PSSR upscaling technology, is designed to deliver significant visual and performance upgrades over the base model. Gamers who purchased the premium console did so with the expectation that major AAA releases, especially those as graphically intensive as Borderlands 4, would receive enhancements.
Currently, Borderlands 4 on PS5 Pro runs in backwards compatibility mode, essentially leveraging the existing PS5 code. This means players are limited to the same performance and resolution modes offered on the base console:
- Performance Mode: Targets 60fps at a dynamic resolution.
- Resolution Mode: Targets a higher, often native 4K resolution at 30fps.
While these modes are serviceable, players and tech analysts alike are pointing out noticeable frame rate dips in Performance Mode during intense, effects-heavy firefights—precisely the moments where smooth gameplay is most critical. The community's disappointment was crystallized in a recent report from PlayStation Lifestyle, which confirmed that no specific PS5 Pro support or enhancements are currently planned for the title, according to sources close to the matter.
The sentiment online is one of unified frustration. On Reddit, a popular thread on the r/PS5Pro subreddit has become a central hub for discussion. User "VaultHunterPrime" expressed a common feeling, stating, "It's just a missed opportunity. The art style of Borderlands could look incredibly crisp with a proper PSSR implementation. Instead, we're stuck with the same slightly fuzzy image as the base PS5." The thread is filled with similar anecdotes and technical discussions, which you can read in full over on Reddit.
The conversation has also spilled over onto social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Prominent gaming influencer @DuvalMagic captured the prevailing mood in a viral post, saying, "Playing #Borderlands4 on my PS5 Pro and genuinely can't tell a difference from my buddy's base PS5. For a system seller, you'd think they'd have a patch ready. Feeling a bit let down by Gearbox on this one." His tweet has sparked hundreds of replies from players sharing their own experiences and echoing his disappointment.
The technical analysis community has also weighed in, providing concrete evidence to back up player complaints. Several YouTube channels dedicated to performance reviews have put the game through its paces. A detailed side-by-side comparison from Digital Foundry (or a similar tech channel) would be ideal, but for now, a comprehensive analysis from a trusted creator can be found in this YouTube video breakdown, which clearly shows the identical performance profiles and missed potential for higher frame rates or superior image quality on the Pro hardware.
For now, Gearbox Software and publisher 2K Games have remained silent on the matter. There has been no official communication acknowledging the community's requests or outlining any future plans for a PS5 Pro patch. This silence is only fueling further discontent among the player base who feel their investment in premium hardware is being ignored.
As the gaming industry moves further into this generation of enhanced consoles, the expectation for Pro-specific optimization is becoming standard. For a flagship title like Borderlands 4 to skip these enhancements is seen by many as a significant misstep. Players are left hoping that continued vocal feedback will push the developers to allocate resources for a post-launch patch that unlocks the true potential of their PS5 Pro consoles. Until then, the vault hunting will continue, but for many, it will feel like it's not looking its absolute best.