Summary
A huge part of the fun in theRatchet & Clankgames is trying out all the weird and whacky weapons that the player can buy and upgrade, andRift Apartcertainly doesn’t disappoint in this aspect, featuring18 incredibly unique weaponsthat keep encounters feeling fresh and exciting.
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Each weapon in the game features an extremely large upgrade tree that will require asignificant amount of Raritaniumto complete. Because of this, it means players will need to take extra care when choosing which of their weapons to enhance first since upgrades can be fairly pricy, so rather than spending these resources randomly, it can be much more worthwhile knowing exactly what is worth prioritizing.
The weapons mentioned here are all found in the early stages of the game and can be acquired and upgraded from the Vendor. Whileall weaponsfound throughout the nine worlds are effective and unique in their own way, there are some that the player really should pour their resources into first because of how viable and efficient they can become, not just for the first few hours, but for the entire game.
6Mr. Fungi
Special Upgrades:
Initially, players might not be drawn to theMr. Fungiweapon since it doesn’t attack enemies on impact. Instead, it fires out small fungi attack drones who will automatically shoot and poison enemies, and while the weapon isn’t essential to keep for the entire game, players who enjoy using it should definitely think about upgrading as soon as possible.
Not only will this allow more fungi turrets to be deployed, resulting in far more damage, but it also enables them to leave behind poison mist when defeated, which has some great AOE potential. The truth is, this weapon is never going to melt enemy health bars because it’s first and foremost a support weapon, but it’s still a lot of fun to use and very effective against bosses and small groups when upgraded.
5Topiary Sprinkler
Players will be able to obtain the Topiary Sprinkler once they reach Sargasso, and it’s extremely useful for handling the quick and agile enemies of that world since it can root them in place, leaving them completely vulnerable. Similar to Mr. Fungi, the Topiary Sprinkler is another support weapon that will disrupt enemies rather than kill them, but the difference is the upgrades for this weapon are much more effective and reliable in the long term.
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Upgrading the Topiary Sprinkler enough will make it so that enemies have a high chance of dropping Nanotech upon being defeated. This is the main wayRatchet and Rivetwill be able to heal themselves, so for any players who are struggling to stay alive against the enemy swarms and just want a helping hand by having a constant source of health, this weapon is worth focusing on first.
4Shatterbomb
Ratchet will be able to pick up the Shatterbomb very early on when approaching the Vendor in Megalopolis, but it may not seem like the most useful weapon at first since its bombs are very easy to dodge. The truth is, when it comes to AOE damage and clearing out hordes of enemies in mere seconds, no weapon in the game does it better than the Shatterbomb, so long as it’s upgraded.
While the Raritanium upgrades will ensure all enemies in the blast radius receive maximum damage, something that can make quick work of early-game monsters, the increased ammo pickup is also incredibly useful since finding ammunition for the gun isn’t exactly an easy task. The Shatterbomb isn’t for everyone, but those who love blasting away enemies with big and flashy explosions should prioritize it first since it can become utterly devastating by the time the player reaches thelater planets.
3Ricochet
Ricochet is a top contender for being the most unique weapon in the game. However, while most players will pick this weird little gadget up to simply try it out, the weapon starts extremely weak and is also very unforgiving in its timing system, which is what the entire gun is based around since this is where most of the damage comes from.
Essentially, anyone who buys the Ricochet when arriving on Sargasso and wants to ensure the weapon remains powerful for the journey needs to focus on upgrading it early on for two major reasons. Not only will the additional bounces greatly increase damage output, but they also give the player more opportunities to execute the perfect shot in the timing window. Considering another Raritanium upgrade forcesmore boltsto be squeezed out of enemy combatants, enhancing the Ricochet early on is extremely rewarding and can easily become Ratchet and Rivet’s primary weapon from then onwards.
2Blast Pistol
The first gun that Ratchet obtains in the game isn’t exactly weak, but even from using it on the Corson V stage in the first hour, it’s easy to see how it won’t hold up for much longer unless upgraded. Luckily, upgrading the Blast Pistol won’t only make it usable, but can even turn it into a weapon of sheer destruction so long as the player knows where to aim.
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The lack of accuracy with the Blast Pistol is really what lets it down at first, but each upgrade is tailored towards making up for this by improving the rate of fire, and the ammo reserves to ensure Ratchet doesn’t burn through bullets too quickly. The extra headshot damage is really where the Blast Pistol shines though, knocking overZoom Goonsand most indigenous creatures with a single well-placed blast. Pair this with the increased ammo pickups, and it results in a gun that is capable of handling enemies with ease from the start of the game right until the end, so long as the player focuses on upgrading it the entire way.
1Lightning Rod
Admittedly, players will need to travel through a few sections and save up their Bolts and Raritanium until they reach the Lightning Rod, but it can be worth it to create one of the strongest and most lethal weapons in the game when upgraded. This electrifying gadget can be acquired upon landing on Zurkie’s Scarstu Debris Field, which is the third major area in the game, but it can easily replace nearly every weapon already inRatchet and Rivet’sarsenal due to how it works. When a shot of the Lightning Rod is fired, it will electrify and damage the enemy it makes contact with, before then stunning anybody in close proximity.
This is already extremely useful since it can immediately stop enemies in their tracks, leaving them wide open for another shot or a melee strike, but the weapon even acquires auto-aim when upgraded, and will also zap more enemies with each shot. Once players upgrade the Lightning Rod into the Lightning Strike, they will be able to drop shockwave explosions to shut down large groups instantly, an ability that works just as well on regular enemies as it does on bosses.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartis available now on PlayStation 5 and PC.
