Borderlands 4 Steam Review Bombed Over Performance Issues Despite Strong Player Numbers

Borderlands 4 has launched to a rocky start on Steam. The game, released today by Gearbox Software, quickly dropped to a “mostly negative” rating. Players report severe performance issues, including crashes and frame rate drops.

At the same time, Borderlands 4 is drawing huge crowds. SteamDB shows over 190,000 concurrent players just hours after launch. The mix of high interest and poor technical stability has sparked debate among fans.

Borderlands 4 Steam Review Breakdown

Many user reviews describe the game as nearly unplayable on PC. Some players with powerful rigs, including RTX 3080 Ti and RX 6900 XT cards, say they cannot reach stable frame rates. Others report constant stuttering and frequent crashes.

A few players noted that lowering graphics settings did little to help. Upscaling tools like DLSS or FSR seem required for smoother play. A 2.7GB day-one patch reduced crash frequency but did not fully solve the performance problems.

Gaming outlets also flagged issues. According to Windows Central, fun combat is often interrupted by loading hitches and frame drops. PC Gamer testers saw similar results, confirming the widespread nature of the problems.

Why Borderlands 4 Struggles on PC

Before launch, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford warned fans to set “realistic expectations.” He said older hardware may not run the game smoothly. Many now see that as a hint the game was not well optimized at release.

Borderlands titles have a history of rough launches on PC. Players recall similar issues when Borderlands 3 arrived. Still, the scale of frustration this time is notable.

Some fans blame Unreal Engine 5 for the troubles, while others criticize development practices in the industry. Discussions highlight a wider pattern: many AAA games launch in unstable states, then receive fixes weeks later.

What Happens Next

Gearbox has yet to issue a formal statement about the Steam review situation. More hotfixes and updates are expected in the coming days. If patches arrive quickly, ratings may rise from “mostly negative” to “mixed” or better.

For now, the game’s strong player count shows demand remains high. Fans are eager to experience the new Vault Hunters and story, even if the performance is rough. The coming weeks will decide whether Borderlands 4 can recover its reputation on PC.

Borderlands 4 Steam review scores may improve with updates, but the first day paints a tough picture. Fans love the gameplay but demand urgent fixes.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why is Borderlands 4 getting bad Steam reviews?

Most players cite performance issues. They report crashes, low frame rates, and heavy stuttering even on powerful PCs.

Q2: How many people are playing Borderlands 4 on Steam?

SteamDB shows more than 190,000 concurrent players at launch. This is higher than any previous Borderlands title on Steam.

Q3: Did the day-one patch fix Borderlands 4?

The 2.7GB patch reduced crashes for some players. But many still face poor performance and unstable frame rates.

Q4: What did Gearbox say before release?

Randy Pitchford advised players to have realistic expectations. He warned older PCs may not run the game smoothly.

Q5: Will Borderlands 4 get better on PC?

Yes, likely. Future patches should improve optimization. Many expect performance fixes within weeks.