How to use the new Cart Cannon and Cart Laser in R.E.P.O.

Having cemented its place as one of this year’s breakout successes, indie game R.E.P.O., celebrated for its chaotic physics-based mechanics and the unpredictable (often comical) moments, is pushing the experience even further with the game’s first big update. 

Available on Beta via Steam, this update debuts the ‘Overcharge’ feature, delivers a mass of bug fixes, along with a number of new items and weapons. Two of which are the ‘Cart Cannon’ and ‘Cart Laser’. The are heavy-duty weapons that can turn your cart from a simple floating basket to an armed tank ready to one-shot some of the game’s toughest enemies. They increase the firepower you and your team can use to protect yourselves while tending to your Semibot’s repossession duties.

How to use the Cart Cannon and Cart Laser

Like all weapons and upgrades in R.E.P.O., the new cart weapons are found in the Service Station, which you arrive at after the successful completion of each level. Due to the prices of these new items, they may not be attainable until later levels after more money has been earned. As of now, both weapons appear in the store for anywhere between 40-50k.

Both the cannon and laser will automatically attach to the C.A.R.T. once lifted and placed inside. When it’s ready to go, the light will change from red to green. Placing the weapons at the far end of the cart allows your teammate to push you around while you keep an eye out for enemies. 

The normal ‘E’ function is used to activate the items; however, each version of this superpowered weapon has a very different firing style, adding a unique twist to your combat strategy. 

Cart Cannon

When fully charged, the cannon can deliver up to four shots that deal 500 damage per hit. Incredibly, this is enough to take out the slow but tough Trudge, so it is important to make every shot count. It should be noted, however, that the cannon is so powerful that it has the ability to push the cart itself backwards. While this isn’t by much, using the Cart Cannon near a hole or on a ledge isn’t recommended. Your teammates probably don’t want to search for your head after you’ve saved the day.

Cart Laser

When fully charged, the laser has four pulse beams which deliver 65 damage every second it fires. Aim and time it right, and this will be enough to take out the biggest enemies, despite it not being able to one-shot like the cannon. An advantage of the laser over the cannon is the wide breadth of damage it delivers. Like the Clown’s nose beam, you can manoeuvre the laser to hit many targets, opposed to the cannons’ very specific area. However, be cautious of your surroundings. You wouldn’t want to take out your team with a stray laser beam. Consider your playstyle and the situation you’re in to decide which weapon is best for you. 

This recent update from Semiwork showcases that so much more is to come in R.E.P.O. If the newest weapons and level items are anything to go by, they have some large plans for the future.

R.E.P.O. is available now on Steam