As part of its live, onstage presentation at PAX East, Gearbox confirmed that its long-rumoured Borderlands 1 remaster is real and will be launching on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC next Wednesday, April 3rd.
Gearbox is calling the remaster the “definitive version” of its much-loved 2009 loot-and-shooter. It includes the base game and all DLC, and introduces new weapons, “substantial” visual upgrades (with better lighting, textures, and character models, as well as 4K and HDR on supported consoles), plus various gameplay enhancements and quality of life improvements.
You can, for instance, expect a new mini-map, character heads and skins, gold chests and keys, plus support for 4-player split-screen co-op, up from the original’s two.
This enhanced version will be known as the Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, and existing owners of Borderlands 1 on Steam will be able to upgrade for free.
Additionally, April 3rd sees the release of a special Ultra HD Texture Pack for Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, designed for Xbox One X and PS4 Pro. This, unsurprisingly, increases the visual fidelity of Borderlands 2, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, and all DLC, for those playing at 4K – although Gearbox says the improvements can be enjoyed on other displays too.
The Ultra HD Texture Pack will be made available for free, and is also coming to Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel on PC.
Finally, there’s a bit of a treat for Borderlands 2 VR players on PS4. Gearbox says it will be adding all four DLC chapters – that’s Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty, Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage, Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt, and Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep – in a free update some time this summer. Expect more details in the coming months.
