10 Most SATISFYING Item Unlocks in Video Games
10 Most Satisfying Item Unlocks in Video Games
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re looking at some of the most satisfying weapons we’ve unlocked across video games, whether they were mandatory or optional.
The BFG
“Doom” Series” (1993-)
In a franchise built around laying waste to your enemies, the BFG stands out as the most destructive force you could hope to wield. With a single laser blast, this massive gun can vaporize a group of enemies before your very eyes. Or even knock out a boss in two shots. Ever since the 1993 original, the weapon’s appearance has been something to anticipate with destructive glee. And you don’t even have to do anything special to unlock it; the game usually gives it to you, right before unleashing a horde of enemies for you to test it out on. Whether it’s the classic or the BFC in “The Dark Ages,’ it’s the pinnacle of what “Doom” does best, and we’ll always look forward to seeing it.
Moonlight Greatsword
“Dark Souls” Series (2011-16)
Depending on the build you’re going for in “Dark Souls,” there are different items and weapons you’re going to want to seek. But it’s hard to argue against the legacy of the Moonlight Greatsword. By far the best weapon for an Intelligence build, it scales with the stat and deals high magic damage, and can fire a fast projectile to hit from afar. You earn it in different ways in each game. In the first, it’s by cutting off the tail of the dragon, Seath, during his boss fight. Regardless, a sword with such power that can get around most defenses grew to be one of the most sought after items in the series. It was an accomplishment to unlock it, and a joy to wield it.
Chicago Typewriter
“Resident Evil 4” (2005)
The “Resident Evil” series has a lot of unlockable weapons, and some of the coolest can be found in “RE 4.” Known as the Chicago Sweeper in the remake, the Typewriter is a Tommy Gun with infinite ammo, the perfect middle ground between grounded and silly for a game about killing people infested with monstrous parasites. In the original, you could buy it from the shop for a million pesetas after beating Ada’s post-game campaign, “Separate Ways,” meaning you had plenty of time to use it on harder playthroughs when going for other unlocks. The one-shot P.R.L. 412 is also great, but you only get that after beating the hardest difficulty, Professional. Plus, unloading bullets into enemies like some 1920s gangster makes this one of the most fun unlocks in the series.
Spread Gun
“Contra” Series (1987-2024)
No matter where you were when you first played “Contra,” there was one thing that became clear pretty quickly. As enemies dropped various power-up weapons, there was one that stood above the rest, and that was the Spread Gun. It appears as early as the first stage in the original game. But something about seeing that little S with wings makes our eyes light up as we ignore everything else and dart to its location. It’s a simple upgrade, but effective, giving you a gun that fires bullets in a wide spread in front of you. In “Contra,” with things coming at you from all directions, the best defense truly is a good offense. And picking up the Spread Gun can immediately put you at ease.
Diamond Sword
“Minecraft” (2011)
When you start a new adventure in “Minecraft,” there is a level of status you hope to reach. One that signals a level of stability, your ability to survive and build yourself up from nothing. Your first Diamond Sword is when it first feels like you’ve made it, that you’re the master of your domain. And as the second highest tier out of seven swords in the game, it obviously takes a while before you’re able to craft one in a regular playthrough, since you have to go digging deep underground. It has the stats to match the cost, though, having high durability and base damage. Crafting the Diamond Sword is both satisfying in-game, and is a vital communal stepping stone.
Screw Attack
“Metroid” Series (1987-)
There are a lot of weapons that appear across the “Metroid” series that Samus always has to work to unlock again. Of them all, the Screw Attack is the one we look forward to the most. It turns Samus into a spinning ball of death as she flips through the air, which is both objectively cool and highly useful. It makes backtracking, which is obviously a big staple of this franchise, a breeze since the Screw Attack can instantly kill most enemies blocking your path. Of course, that means it’s always a late-game item. Still, this series can have some annoying enemies, so an item that lets us literally jump right through them is a welcome one.
Ultimate Weapons
“Final Fantasy” Series (1990-)
No matter what “Final Fantasy” game you’re playing, it is always satisfying to go after the Ultimate Weapons. These exist as the most powerful weapons for individual characters to wield. Which obviously makes them the most famously sought after among players. The method of unlocking them ranges in difficulty, but they’re usually memorable moments, like tensely pursuing a boss across the skies to earn Cloud’s Ultima in “Final Fantasy VII.” Or the Zodiac Spear in “Final Fantasy XII,” by far one of the mightiest, yet locked behind a cryptic rule of not opening four specific chests, which was thankfully changed in later versions. But no matter the game, Ultimate Weapons have taken on a somewhat mythic reputation, which is why every player feels so proud when they get to unlock and use one.
R.Y.N.O.
“Ratchet & Clank” Series (2002-21)
The “Ratchet & Clank” series is all about satisfying weapon unlocks. Every new area and shop is a chance to discover some new fangled weapon of silly destruction. Recurring across the series, there is no weapon that has drawn more desire than the R.Y.N.O. Unlocking it is usually a long process; older games gave it a hefty price tag that meant a lot of grinding for bolts, and newer games have you collect a series of well-hidden items, like blue prints or spybots. But boy oh boy, it is always worth it. Standing for ‘Rip Ya a New One,’ the R.Y.N.O. rapidly fires a barrage of homing missiles, annihilating groups of enemies and even bosses in mere moments. In “Rift Apart,” it instead opened a portal to drop giant objects on enemies, but its damage was just as impressive. With so much power in such a fun setting, it’s no surprise it keeps coming back.
Master Sword
“The Legend of Zelda” Series (1987-)
Obtaining the Master Sword is a key moment throughout the “Zelda” series, usually coming with appropriate fanfare. The music swells, the blade is lifted from its resting place, and Link takes on the true role of a legendary hero. It’s both satisfying in a thematic sense, as well as a storytelling one, marking a point where the game moves into new territory, like jumping ahead seven years in “Ocarina of Time.” Plus, it doesn’t hurt that you get a big boost in damage over whatever sword Link starts with, so you can slay the forces of evil with greater ease. The Master Sword is one of the most iconic weapons in video games, a status earned through years of memorable appearances that make us feel like legendary heroes ourselves.
Blades of Chaos
“God of War” (2018)
Kratos started his video game journey with the Blades of Chaos. Yet, unlocking them in 2018’s “God of War” is more satisfying than we would have imagined. With Atreus fallen dangerously ill, Kratos returns home to retrieve the weapons given to him by his former master, and prepares to head into Helheim. It’s one of the best moments in the game; incredible character writing, as Kratos has fought so hard to keep his past hidden away, yet brings it to light to save his son, and anchored by a fantastic performance from Christopher Judge. What makes this moment perfect is then being allowed to rip through a swarm of enemies just outside. The combination of deep introspection for Kratos and the absolutely ferocious power fantasy of the Blades is one of the most satisfying moments in the series.
What’s the most satisfying moment you can recall unlocking a new weapon or piece of gear in a video game? Share those memories in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!
