Borderlands 3 is a first-person shooter with role-playing elements. It is the fourth main entry in the Borderlands franchise and a direct sequel to Borderlands 2. Like its predecessors, it combines cooperative gunplay with randomized loot and a comic-book visual style.

The game introduces four new playable Vault Hunters: Amara the Siren, Moze the Gunner, Zane the Operative, and FL4K the Beastmaster. Each features three extensive skill trees, unique Action Skills, and customizable playstyles. Characters from earlier entries, including Lilith, Tannis, and Rhys, return in supporting roles, while new NPCs such as Wainwright Jakobs and Katagawa Jr. expand the series’ lore. The antagonists are the Calypso Twins, cult leaders attempting to consolidate bandit clans and seize control of galactic Vaults.

Borderlands 3's campaign spans multiple planets beyond Pandora, including Promethea, Eden-6, and Athenas. These environments range from urban skylines to swampy jungles and snow-covered monasteries, encouraging exploration through hidden chests, collectibles, and Easter eggs. Missions—both main and optional—feature varied structures and often incorporate satirical or self-referential humor. There are also several side quests.

Combat emphasizes fast movement, fluid gunplay, and extensive weapon variety. The arsenal comprises procedurally generated firearms with distinct manufacturers and unique traits, alongside handcrafted legendary weapons with extravagant effects. Enemy groups include returning Borderlands fauna, human bandits, Maliwan troops, and new creatures such as ratches and tink variants.

Multiplayer supports up to four participants, with both instanced-loot Cooperation and classic free-for-all Coopetition modes. Features such as a ping system, item trading, and level scaling are part of the co-op play. After completing the story, players can engage in Mayhem Mode (adjustable difficulty with randomized modifiers), True Vault Hunter Mode, Guardian Ranks for persistent bonuses, as well as replayable activities like the Circle of Slaughter arenas and Proving Grounds dungeons.