The Game Informer Show Silksong Act 1 Impressions, Hell Is Us Review, Borderlands 4 Interview
Sep 12, 2025
Graeme Timmins, the creative director at Gearbox, and Andrew Reiner, global creative executive and former Game Informer editor-in-chief, chat about the highly anticipated Borderlands 4. They dive into the game's narrative and character design, emphasizing a return to classic humor. Meanwhile, the team shares their thrilling first impressions of Hollow Knight: Silksong, discussing its vibrant world and engaging combat mechanics. Lastly, they review Hell is Us, revealing its unique narrative style and clever gameplay elements that set it apart from traditional souls-like games.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Seamless Play Was A Core Pillar
- Borderlands 4 prioritized a seamless player experience: fewer load screens, on-the-fly menu changes, and reduced interruptions.
- The team smoothed friction points so players can stay immersed and keep playing without breaks.
Kairos Is Designed To Reward Exploration
- Borderlands 4 rebuilt a single planet, Kairos, to give the world its own culture, history, and dense content.
- Designers packed the map with activities so wandering without a mission still feels rewarding and fun.
Introduce Loot Complexity Gradually
- Meter complexity in loot systems so players aren't overwhelmed early on by mechanics.
- Introduce deeper weapon behaviors progressively to keep the gear chase engaging across levels.