The new map of Borderlands 4 shall be gigantic compared to older maps of the series, but how big is it really? We show you the action’s setting compared to other maps of well-known titles.
What is Kairos? In Borderlands 4, you as a vault hunter will be stranded on the planet Kairos, which serves as the setting for the story surrounding the continuation of the shooter. However, Kairos is no ordinary planet, but a gigantic prison where you and other inmates are doomed to stay.
The most interesting change in Borderlands is how Kairos functions. You will not be able to explore various locations and maps like in older titles. Instead, Kairos has been developed as an open world where you will remain from start to finish.
If you are worried about boredom, we can reassure you: Kairos is gigantic, and this is especially evident in its dimensions.
The size of Kairos in comparison
How big is Kairos in comparison? Since Borderlands 4 has not yet been released, fans have relied on Reddit, simple tricks, and mathematics to find out how big Kairos actually is. By means of video footage from Borderlands, along with an approximate overview of the walkable planet, the approximate size has been determined to be around 54 km².
As a number, it may seem rather vague, as scales in games feel different than in reality. However, other maps and their relative sizes have also been determined, and thus we arrive at the following comparisons:
- Map of GTA 5: 75.84 km²
- Map of TES: Skyrim: 37 – 40 km²
- Map of Elden Ring: 79 km²
It is important to mention that Borderlands 4 will also offer missions and locations that take place both in the air and underground. These areas will likely expand the map by a good deal.
What makes Kairos so special? Aside from the open world that is new to Borderlands, it is primarily the diverse world events that make the planet seem more vibrant. When you zip across the landscape in your vehicle, it may happen that you receive a parkour or drilling event that promises you rewards if you succeed.
These events are purely random and cannot be encountered or forced in the same location. If you are lucky, such an event appears, and if not, then not. This feature encourages exploration, as one wants to try everything.
It remains to be seen how the map will play at release. Borderlands 4 is expected to offer more innovations that its predecessors did not have. Everything you can expect at release can be found here: What is new in Borderlands 4? All innovations like open world, weapons, grappling hooks in overview
