Playing after a 3 week break

As the title describes, I’ve come back to BL4 after 3 weeks and it was something.

To add some clarification, I’ve been a bid borderlands fan since the day one of BL1, and I remember the magazines talking about the open world archetype with vehicle combat and was super excited. Played so much 1 and 2 I swear I know the story missions like the back of my hand. Played plenty of 3 and never much of pre-sequel since I was without a console/pc capable at the time.

So, after some holiday break, other games that I wanted to play, some replays and the like, I decided to log back in. I’m currently only a lvl 45 Amon and around 35 spec. so I’m not new, not end game quite yet, but not inexperienced. IMMEDIATELY it felt like I was dragging my character, even at a sprint to even the edge of the safe house. I’ve got decent bonuses to move speed and without that I’m sure it would feel even worse. On top of that, only legendary weapons feel worth it now and that’s a slog and just an hour of play HOPING to get a decent one. When I’m in firefights I feel like I HAVE to use my skills/ults at all times and can’t rely on just my guns. Even some basic enemies are taking several headshots for 4-6 times my total shield value and not even loosing theirs. But yet? Oh another two levels lower white or green loot that is immediately trashed cause if I don’t my lost loot will sort it.

What happened to faster paced gameplay? I know I can always follow the meta but to hell with that. I want to play my way and still enjoy that game, not have to copy what guns and skills everybody else is using.

A few months into BL4 and I’m truly disappointed. Then fun has changed from gameplay to loot farming.

TLDR; after taking a break I was met with slow movement, crap loot, a boring gameplay loop, and a hard drive to only play meta builds if I want to have fun. What happened