Leveling Up Your Gear

Every time you collect little orange orbs, all of the gear that you wear and wield will gain XP at the end of the mission and is able to level up. Leveling up your gear allows you to deal more damage, attack quicker, and absorb more damage. However, I believe the maximum level for any of your weapons and armor is level 10. That is why it is better to use a better weapon of a lower level than a weaker weapon that has a higher level, because the better weapon will eventually be stronger when both weapons reach level 10.