"Borderlands 4: Cube-Inspired Carnage Hailed on Purple Friday"

Borderlands 4’s Purple Friday short has been widely praised for its refined storytelling, darker tone, and character-driven humor. The introduction of the new Vault Hunter Vex has sparked excitement among fans, with many applauding the sharper writing and intense action sequences. Read on to discover more about Vex’s debut, fan reactions, and how Borderlands 4 is shaping up narratively.

Purple Friday Raises Expectations for Borderlands 4’s Narrative

Borderlands 4 Short Draws Inspiration from the 1997 Sci-Fi Horror Film, Cube

Borderlands 4’s Purple Friday delivers a thrilling first look at Vex, a Siren Vault Hunter wielding eldritch powers and a deadly sabre cat companion. Set against the chaotic backdrop of a Black Friday-style retail frenzy, Vex awakens her Siren abilities and unleashes destruction on a swarm of unhinged shoppers.

On X (formerly Twitter), Borderlands 4 Narrative Director Sam Winkler revealed that the Purple Friday script was one of the most unpredictable creative moments during development. He noted that the over-the-top violence was partly inspired by the 1997 sci-fi horror film Cube.

Winkler even shared a snippet of the script, which included the line:
"SHING. The scythes come down once. Twice. Three times! Then... the crowd falls apart like that guy in Cube who gets cubed in the movie Cube."

The short received a wave of positive feedback, prompting Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford to comment: "You absolutely crushed this, Sam. It was a blast having all of us in the writer’s room again to crack this. You nailed the script!"

Borderlands 2 Humor Reimagined with a Character-First Approach

Winkler has previously emphasized that Borderlands 4 will focus more on character-driven storytelling, dialing back the forced meme humor that defined Borderlands 3. This shift has already resonated with fans, who see it as a return to the style that made Borderlands 2 a classic.

One X user wrote: "People blowing their own brains out… for comedic effect… in my Borderlands? We are so back gang." A Reddit user echoed this sentiment, calling the Purple Friday short "a true return to the Borderlands 2 humor" and drawing comparisons to Gaige the Mechromancer, a fan-favorite Vault Hunter from Borderlands 2 DLC.

In Borderlands 2, Gaige the Mechromancer became a Vault Hunter after her science fair project—a combat bot named Deathtrap—accidentally killed a classmate during a sabotaged competition. Known for her chaotic energy and companion-based combat, Gaige quickly became a standout character.

Now, in Borderlands 4, Vex appears to be Gaige’s spiritual successor. Described by Gearbox as a necromancer-ranger hybrid, she uses her Phase Phamiliar ability to summon an eldritch cat named Trouble. As seen in the Purple Friday trailer, Vex thrives in controlled chaos—just like Gaige did with Deathtrap.

Fans Discuss Narrative Depth for Borderlands 4’s New Vault Hunters

While the Purple Friday short has been largely praised, some fans have expressed concerns about the depth of new Vault Hunters and the evolving art style of the series. One user commented: "I enjoyed most of the jokes in Vex’s trailer, but I noticed she lacks any likable traits," adding that "Krieg’s BL2 trailer balanced humor with heart," while Vex’s seemed to lack both.

Krieg’s Borderlands 2 trailer blended frantic action with moments of introspection, showcasing the contrast between his manic rage and a calmer inner voice. Many fans appreciated how the trailer hinted at his tragic past, giving emotional depth to an otherwise chaotic character.

While Vex’s Purple Friday short leans into explosive action and dry humor, it takes a more aggressive, dark tone compared to Krieg’s mix of chaos and vulnerability. It's important to note that not every Vault Hunter in the series has been given the same level of emotional depth.

Take Salvador, the Gunzerker from Borderlands 2, for example. His character was centered around raw power and unapologetic intensity rather than a deep backstory. This variety in character design—ranging from emotionally rich arcs to more stylized archetypes—has been a recurring strength of the Borderlands franchise.

As more character shorts and gameplay trailers for Borderlands 4 roll out, fans can look forward to deeper introductions of new Vault Hunters like Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe.

Borderlands 4 is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage as we get closer to launch.