There are so many cool examples of RPG systems that are not the typical style of defeating enemies, gaining EXP, and then leveling up. Some notable examples include the Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy 10, or any entry within the SaGa series, as they track everything players do in battle.
10 RPGs With Equipment-Based Progression
Some RPGs have stepped away from players leveling up to equipment-based progression systems, allowing players to focus on their weapons and armor
Those are great, albeit hard to understand, leveling systems, but progression is not limited to characters. Some of the best RPGs also layer on gear that can level up and even evolve with gameplay. Let’s take a look at some innovative leveling systems regarding armor and weapons. While it’s not a true RPG, a quick shoutout should go to the Ratchet & Clank series, as they have evolving weapons upon gaining enough EXP.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Syncing Characters And Weapons
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
Every weapon in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can be leveled up and is usually associated with some kind of element. Materials are needed to upgrade weapons, and there are several tiers to unlock, with the max being 20. Once weapons reach these tiers, a new passive ability will be unlocked, which can make a huge difference.
To get the best results in the game's turn-based combat, players will have to keep a weapon’s elemental affinity in mind, along with equipping the best Picto assignments and each character's skills. For example, any weapon that increases Maelle's fire skills will help her greatly.
Dark Cloud 2
Evolving With The Times
Dark Cloud 2
- Released
- February 17, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Developer(s)
- Level-5
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Dark Cloud 2, its predecessor, and its spiritual sequel, Rogue Galaxy, all have some of the coolest weapon upgrade systems in RPGs thanks to Level-5’s innovative ideas. In Dark Cloud 2, Max can equip wrenches and guns, while Monica can equip swords and bracelets.
When enemies are defeated, players can pick up gems that will increase the EXP for the weapons used in battle. Eventually, weapons will reach an upgrade tier, meaning they can evolve into something else. Most weapons have branching paths, so players will often have to make decisions about what they want their gear to do, making equipment more engaging as a whole.
Disgaea: Hour Of Darkness
Dungeon Diving
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
- Released
- August 27, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, Strategy, RPG
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness has one of the wildest suites of features in any RPG, but let’s focus on the equipment system. Any item, be it a sword, potion, or hat, has a dungeon associated with it. Players can dive into pocket dimensions within their items, fight a progression of turn-based tactical battles, and the more battles they win, the stronger the item will become.
If players are really dedicated, a starting weapon could eventually rival end-game equipment. Upgrading weapons becomes increasingly difficult as players dive deeper, but the option is there for anyone who's up to the challenge.
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery Of The Soulless Army
Swords, Spears, And Axes, Oh My!
RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
- Released
- June 19, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army has a branching weapon system when it comes to the core equipment types that Raidou, the hero, can equip in battle. They will start with a sword, and as they acquire materials, players can start to make other weapons, like spears and axes.
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For players who prioritize extensive weapon mechanics, RPGs like The Witcher 3, Fallout 4, Cyberpunk 2077, or Elden Ring can be some of the best.
Weapons can also gain skills to use in the game's action combat, similar to the spells that the demon partners can use. The weapon system isn’t the most innovative, but it’s one of the more customizable options in any Shin Megami Tensei game, making this remaster a step in the right direction.
Monster Hunter Wilds
So Many Choices
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
The number of weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds is wild, which is fitting for the name. Like other Monster Hunter entries, players can choose to start with one of fourteen weapons, like the Bow, Switch Axe, Insect Glaive, and more. As they defeat monsters and gather materials, they can start upgrading and evolving their weapons down dozens of branching pathways.
It’s important to keep multiple weapon types on hand because some monsters are weak to fire while others are strong against it, for example. Players can bring two weapons on a hunt, which is a new feature and allows for more in-the-moment strategies and mid-battle adjustments.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Beyond Materia
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- Released
- April 10, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen due to Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix Business Division 1
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
In the original game, weapons were more disposable and served as attack upgrades or ways to fit more Materia into slots. Final Fantasy 7 Remake made it so that starting weapons are just as valuable in the endgame, depending on player progress. Each weapon has a distinct skill attached, and using the weapon enough in combat unlocks that skill permanently for the character.
Also, weapons have a skill tree that lets players spend points to increase stats, gain more Materia slots, or receive other bonuses. While the combat is better in the sequel, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the weapon upgrade system is much easier to learn (and more open to boot) in the first game of this remake trilogy.
Moonlighter
Shopkeeper, Shopkeeper, Make Me A Match
Moonlighter
- Released
- May 29, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Digital Sun
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action RPG
Moonlighter is a roguelike RPG about a shopkeeper who sells items during the day and dives into dungeons at night to get materials. Besides selling items in their shop, players can also use them to upgrade their armor and weapons, with the weapon system being the more diverse path of the two.
A sword and shield combo, or the fists, have different evolutionary paths that grant varied bonuses. Since there aren’t that many weapon types or upgrade paths, players may be tempted to maximize their entire roster just to test out every piece of equipment available, or as an excuse to keep playing one of the most genuinely accessible roguelikes of the last decade.
The World Ends With You
Pin Collecting
The World Ends With You
- Released
- July 27, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
The World Ends With You doesn’t exactly have weapons, but the equipment system is worth discussing. Players can equip the hero, Neku, with Pins, all of which have different attack properties. Some attacks require players to tap on the DS screen while others require quick swipes, but either way, attacks can range from fireballs to lightning strikes depending on which Pin they equip.
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The Switch version uses touch and motion controls depending on docked or handheld mode. As players perform these motions in battle, their Pins will level up, and in some cases, they will evolve into more powerful versions. As for armor, what players wear in certain districts is important because trends can make Neku’s performance better in battle.
Parasite Eve
Bonding With Gun Experts
Parasite Eve
- Released
- September 9, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Animated Violence, Mature Sexual Themes
- Developer(s)
- Square
- Genre(s)
- Horror, Action RPG
Parasite Eve is low-key one of the best RPGs Squaresoft ever made, thanks to its hybrid battle system. Players assume the role of a New York City police detective, Aya Brea, who can find and upgrade a variety of guns.
Instead of opening generic shops around the city for players to find, upgrades were locked to the basement of the police station, where two gun experts helped Aya with her needs, giving players more of a personal connection to the upgrade system. Guns could be upgraded and fused in different ways, from boosting attack power to magazine size, all of which were easy enough to learn.
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Three Blades Are Better Than One
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
- Released
- April 9, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Vanillaware
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Fighting, Action-Adventure
Muramasa: The Demon Blade had a split campaign between Kisuke, a ninja, and Momohime, a princess possessed by a demon. Both characters used katanas or nodachi in combat, and they could carry three weapons into battle at once. Switching between them mid-combat would activate their special abilities, all of which were distinct to that particular blade.
There was a weapon tree with dozens of paths for each character to follow, making it hard to choose between them, but also addictive to see the next variation. Between the original Wii version and the PS Vita upgrade, Muramasa: The Demon Blade is one of Vanillaware’s finest 2D action RPGs.
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