Honestly I don't mind upgradable weapons since they're usually a way to make old weapons feel viable and fun. Cave Story's a great example of this mechanic.
Also, as much as I fucking hate VII Rebirth, I think they've done the job well of doing that sorta thing, wish more games did stuff like that desu also i like the trope of
>first weapon of the game becomes the ultimate weapon that FUCKS
But yeah every other formula is pretty fucking tiring