Borderlands 4’s Purple Friday short starring Siren Vault Hunter Vex has earned praise for its sharper dialogue, darker tone, and restrained humor. Read on for details on Vex’s debut, fan reactions, and Borderlands 4’s new storytelling direction.
Purple Friday Raises Expectations for Borderlands 4’s Narrative
Borderlands 4 Short References 1997 Sci-Fi Horror Film, Cube
Borderlands 4’s "Purple Friday" short turns retail crash-out into carnage with its latest Vault Hunter, Vex, a Siren commanding eldritch powers and a fierce sabre cat familiar. Set during a Black Friday-style shopping frenzy, Vex awakens her Siren abilities and unleashes carnage on crazed shoppers.
Over on Twitter (X), Narrative Director Sam Winkler called the script "probably the biggest ‘I have no idea what’s going to happen when I turn in this script’ moment" of the project, referencing violence that echoes the 1997 horror film Cube.
A snippet from the actual script was also shared by Winkler, which read: "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"
In response to the positive feedback the short received, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford replied, "You absolutely crushed this, Sam. It was a blast having all of us in the writer’s room again to crack this. You nailed the script!"
Borderlands 2's Classic Humor With Renewed Character-Driven Focus
Winkler previously confirmed that Borderlands 4 will place greater emphasis on character-focused writing, pulling back from forced punchlines in favor of sharper dialogue and situational comedy. Following criticism of Borderlands 3’s overuse of meme-driven humor, this more measured approach seems to already resonate with fans.
"People blowing their own brains out… for comedic effect… in my Borderlands? We are so back gang, " one Twitter (X) user wrote. A comment on reddit would echo the sentiment, calling the trailer " a true return to the Borderlands 2 humor" and drawing comparisons to Gaige the Mechromancer, a previous DLC Vault Hunter.
In Borderlands 2, Gaige the Mechromancer became a Vault Hunter after her science fair project, the combat bot Deathtrap, accidentally killed a classmate during a sabotaged competition. Known for her chaotic energy and signature companion-based combat, Gaige quickly became a fan favorite.
Now, in Borderlands 4, Vex is seen as a spiritual successor to Gaige. Described by Gearbox as a necromancer-ranger hybrid, she summons an eldritch cat (Trouble) with her Phase Phamiliar ability. As showcased in the intense Purple Friday trailer, Vex’s combat thrives in controlled chaos, much like Gaige’s anarchic playstyle with Deathtrap.
Fans Debate Narrative Depth for Borderlands 4’s New Vault Hunters
Despite positive feedback, some fans remain critical, pointing to shifts away from the classic cel-shaded art style and questioning the depth of new Vault Hunters. One user remarked, "I enjoyed most of the jokes in Vex’s trailer, but I noticed she lacks any likable traits," adding that "Krieg’s BL2 trailer balanced humor with heart," while Vex’s seemed to lack both.
Krieg’s Vault Hunter trailer mixed frantic action with flashes of introspection, revealing the clash between his manic rage and calmer inner voice. Many fans praise how the brief sequence hints at his tragic past while adding emotional depth beneath the chaos. Overall, it’s seen as a compelling character introduction that feels both wild and surprisingly human.
While fans saw the trailer as a different kind of story—blending chaos with moments of quiet depth to reflect his naturally complex character—Vex’s Purple Friday takes a louder, darker approach. It leans into explosive action and dry humor that match her sharper personality. It's worth noting that not every Vault Hunter in past games was given the same level of emotional depth.
Salvador, the Gunzerker from Borderlands 2, is an example of a Vault Hunter whose focus was primarily on raw power and style rather than an extensive backstory. This variety in character design, ranging from developed narratives to more straightforward archetypes, has been an ongoing recurrence in the Borderlands series.
Gearbox and 2K Games plan to roll out more character shorts and gameplay trailers in the coming weeks for new Vault Hunters like Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe. Borderlands 4 is set for release on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates, check out our full coverage below.
Source:
Borderlands 4 Twitter (X) Purple Friday Short
Borderlands 4 Twitter (X) Sam Winkler
Borderlands 4 Twitter (X) Randy Pitchford
Borderlands 4 Twitter (X) Purple Friday Script Snippet
Borderlands 4 Reddit: Official Character Short - Vex (Purple Friday)
Borderlands 4 Twitter (X) Purple Friday Response
