Borderlands 4 had a review embargo that lasted very close to its launch date. The embargo lifted just a few hours before the game's release on September 12, 2025, which caused frustration among fans hoping for early reviews to guide their purchase decisions. This late embargo is being speculated by some fans as a possible red flag concerning the game's quality at launch, although such embargoes are also a common practice for major titles.

Regarding the actual reviews once the embargo lifted, players and critics highlighted that Borderlands 4 delivers a very strong Vault Hunter experience with well-tuned combat, an engaging open world, and a deep endgame that offers substantial grinding opportunities to keep players busy. However, there were some performance issues noted, especially on consoles, which may impact the experience for performance-focused players.

In summary:

• The review embargo for Borderlands 4 ended shortly before launch, causing fan concerns.
• Reviews praised the gameplay, open world, and endgame depth.
• Performance issues were noted as a downside, particularly on consoles.
• The embargo timing and absence of early console review codes sparked mixed reactions from the community.

Let me know if more detailed individual reviews or other aspects of the game are needed.