Borderlands 4’s latest animated short, "Purple Friday," featuring the new Siren Vault Hunter Vex, has received acclaim for its improved writing, mature tone, and more controlled comedic elements. Keep reading to learn more about Vex's introduction, player reactions, and the narrative direction of Borderlands 4.

Purple Friday Elevates Narrative Expectations for Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 Short Film Nods to 1997 Sci-Fi Horror Classic Cube

The "Purple Friday" animated short from Borderlands 4 introduces Vex, a powerful Siren with otherworldly abilities and a deadly sabre cat companion. Set in the chaotic environment of a Black Friday-like shopping event, Vex awakens her Siren powers and unleashes destruction on a horde of frenzied shoppers.

Narrative Director Sam Winkler shared on X (formerly Twitter) that this script was one of the most unpredictable he’s worked on, citing violent scenes reminiscent of the 1997 sci-fi horror film Cube.

Winkler also posted a line from the script: “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.”

Following the positive reception of the short, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded with praise: “You absolutely crushed this, Sam. It was great having everyone back together in the writer’s room again. You nailed it!”

Borderlands 2-Style Humor Returns With Stronger Character Focus

According to Winkler, Borderlands 4 will focus more on character-driven humor and dialogue, moving away from the meme-heavy comedy criticized in Borderlands 3. Fans have already taken notice and welcomed the shift.

“People blowing their own brains out… for laughs… in my Borderlands? We are so back,” commented one user on X. A Reddit post similarly praised the short, calling it “a real return to Borderlands 2-style humor” and drawing comparisons to Gaige the Mechromancer, a popular DLC character from Borderlands 2.

In Borderlands 2, Gaige gained popularity after her science fair project — a combat robot named Deathtrap — accidentally killed a classmate during a rigged competition. Known for her energetic personality and pet-based combat style, she became a fan favorite.

Now, Vex is seen as a modern counterpart to Gaige. Described by Gearbox as a hybrid of a necromancer and a ranger, she uses her Phase Phamiliar ability to summon an eldritch feline named Trouble. As shown in the intense Purple Friday trailer, Vex thrives in chaos, much like Gaige did with Deathtrap.

Community Discusses Depth Behind Borderlands 4’s New Characters

While many fans are optimistic, some remain skeptical, particularly regarding changes to the visual style and the emotional depth of the new Vault Hunters. One user said, “I liked most of the jokes in Vex’s trailer, but I didn’t see any traits that made her likable.” Another noted that Krieg’s Borderlands 2 trailer balanced humor with emotion, while Vex’s seemed lacking in both.

Krieg’s introduction combined fast-paced action with glimpses of inner conflict, showing the tension between his wild rage and calmer inner voice. His trailer subtly revealed a tragic past, adding emotional layers beneath the madness. Fans widely praised it as a strong, human character intro.

Where Krieg’s trailer blended chaos with introspective moments, Vex’s Purple Friday opts for a louder, edgier tone filled with explosive action and sarcastic humor that fits her sharp demeanor. However, not every Vault Hunter in previous games had deep emotional arcs.

Take Salvador from Borderlands 2, for instance — the Gunzerker was all about raw power and intensity rather than backstory. This diversity in character design — from deeply layered to purely action-oriented — has always been part of the Borderlands series.

Gearbox and 2K Games plan to release more shorts and gameplay reveals for upcoming Vault Hunters like Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe in the weeks ahead. 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.

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