Weapon crafting invideo gamesis always fun, as many titles offer their own unique spin on the activity. It’s not just limited to guns since many fantasy games allow you to spruce up your finest blades and hammers.
Plenty of games offer surface-level weapon modding, but it’s much rarer to find a title where that aspect is mechanically deep and your choices matter.
10 Unique Crafting Systems in Video Games
Whether you making something new or rebuilding to survive, here are crafting systems that stand out from the rest.
If you want to play a game where tinkering with your swords or guns yields excellent rewards, here’s a selection featuring games with an amazing weapon crafting system.
8The First Descendant
Spin The Wheel
The First Descendant
I’ve sunk a ridiculous amount of time intoThe First Descendantsince it came out, and the weapon systemcontinues to get deeper with each update.
While you can’t craft a gun with parts in TFD, you havetons of options with multiple perk systemsand modules.
Each weaponhas10 Module slotswhere you can add anything from extended magazines to elemental damage and crit rate bonuses. Once you’re satisfied, you can roll for perks, like bonus damage against specific enemies.
Finally, you can add ‘Cores’ for even more personalization, but you have to tackle some pretty tough content to get them.
TFD kicks off our list ascustomization is surprisingly deep, but it’s ultimately governed by a gacha system. Everything I’ve explained can only be obtained through a game of chance, and while you can expertly craft a weapon to suit your needs, you can’t just pick what you want and call it a day.
7Monster Hunter World
Poke That Dragon To Death
Monster Hunter World
I considered puttingMonster Hunter Worldon the list because not only is itscrafting system so untraditionalbut it’s also tied to the main gameplay loop of thrashing monsters and selling their body parts for profit.
Besides hunting monsters, equipment and armor are amongthe series' greatest selling points.
Each of the 14 weapon types has a lengthy crafting tree, filling more than an entire screen. New, shiny toys can only be crafted by going out into the field andbullying giant monstersfor parts. This is usually a multi-step task, as you’ll often need to craft weak weapons and build them up with more advanced parts.
The weapon system inMonster Hunterfeels rewarding asyou have to work for every upgrade. Veterans can spend hundreds of hours collecting end-game weapons, and withMonster Hunter Wildsjust around the corner, many will be ready to do it all over again.
6Destiny 2
It’s All In The Shape
One of the greatest allures ofDestiny 2is theaddictive gunplayand the neverending quest to acquire better weapons and armor.
The only downside to hunting down a ‘god roll’ weapon is how heavily RNG-based the game can be.
That’s where ‘Shaping’ comes in. Shaping isDestiny 2’s take on weapon crafting, and while you can’t use it on every weapon, the level of customization is truly impressive.
Each weapon hasmultiple columns of perks, and you can pick a selection to suit your build and playstyle. Some of these perks completely change how a weapon works and can transform some guns from mediocre to meta.
For example, you could give a weapon ‘Incandescent’ to ‘scorch’ opponents and ‘Demolitionist’ to gain grenade energy on kills.There’s so much room to play aroundwith this system; it’s just a shame that it’s not available on every gun.
It’s Almost Overwhelming
I can’t praiseThe First Descendantfor its weapon crafting without mentioningWarframe, the game that influenced so many of its systems.
Weapon customization inWarframeisalmost identical to TFDbut with everything dialed to 11.
There are over 500 weapons(I’m not kidding) inWarframe, each with at least 10 Mod slots that offernear-infinite combinations.
Weapons inWarframecome in all shapes and sizes,from swords to automatic shotguns, each demanding a personalized build to shine.
And then we have Riven Mods, which are tied to a soft in-game gacha system and can bestow game-breakingly powerful effects if you get lucky.
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4Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Your Finest Creation In The Palm Of Your Hand
Key Information
Sandbox/Simulator
I’m a massive advocate forVR gaming, as it offersunrivaled immersionand experiences you can’t get with other hardware. As it turns out, one of those is a sandbox that willdelight any gun enthusiast.
Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenadesmay have a dumb name, but it’s effectively aweapon sandbox, complete with dozens of guns, attachments, and environments to use them in.
The best part about the game iseverything feels tangible. You can install attachments manually and inspect every gun as if it is in your hands.
Once you’re happy with your creation, insert the magazine,rack the slide, and flick the safety off.
Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenadeswon’t be for everyone as it lacks the progression in other games on this list. However, if you just want tomess around with guns in a VR world, this is the best place to do it.
3Fallout 4
Another Bethesda Banger
TheFalloutgames arebeloved Bethesda masterpieces, challenging players to carve their own path in a post-apocalyptic world.
Like many systems inFallout 4, weapon crafting is ascomplicated as you want it to be. Crafting benches are scattered across the map, allowing players to turn their embarrassing rusty guns into coveted weapons of war.
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Leveling up is just the beginning.
Each weapon has several mod slots, which typically govern a ‘stat.’ For example, Grips typically improve accuracy while Receivers dictate things like damage and fire rate.
you’re able to get pretty granular with your weapon crafts, provided you have the materials. If you love weapon crafting, you can evenutilize character skillslike ‘Gun Nut’ to turn your survivor into a workbench savant.
2Call of Duty Black Ops 6
AAA Weapon Crafting
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Black Ops 6has seen itsfair share of controversy, but there’s no denying that the title hasa great weapon crafting systemthat’s accessible and rewards smart decisions.
Every weapon inBlack Ops 6has alengthy list of attachmentsthat unlock as you play the game and level up your gun. You canchange almost anythingfrom the camo and scope to the ammunition and under-barrel attachment.
Weapon crafting inBO6is wonderfully accessible, with handy stats to explain what each attachment does.
Players are alsolimited to a set number of attachments, so you may have to make difficult decisions, like choosing between a scope or an extended magazine.
1Escape From Tarkov
A Gun Enthusiasts Dream Come True
If you’ve ever playedEscape From Tarkov, you knew it would comfortably sit at the top of the list. And if you’ve not tried it, let me explain why.
Escape From Tarkovis ahardcore extraction shooterfirmly grounded in reality. Most of the gear in the game is alsobased on real-world equipment, and Battlestate Games spared no expense in making the art of weapon craftingmeticulous and freeform.
If you want a gun with an extended magazine, you can do that. If you want a shotgun with flashlights mounted on flashlights with a laser, you can do that, too!
You can even load the wrong ammointo your magazine because it would incidentally fit in real life.
There are even ‘Gunsmith’ challenges based on weapon crafting to demonstrate the staggering level of customization.
