Roadside Research Best Upgrades Guide: What To Unlock First
If you want the best upgrades in Roadside Research, here is the clear answer… focus first on Trashcan, Camera, Pump Expansion, and Shop Expansion before spending big on high suspicion Alien tech or late game product lines. These upgrades give steady Alien Points and cash without spiking suspicion too fast.
There are two main upgrade trees, Alien Upgrades and Store Upgrades. One boosts research and intel, the other boosts profits. Picking the right early path makes your life much easier.
Here is what actually matters.
Best Early Alien Upgrades
Alien Points are slow at the start, so you want upgrades that increase research income without blowing up your suspicion meter.
Trashcan
Cost is low compared to its value. Customers throw trash inside instead of littering everywhere.
This makes Alien Point farming consistent. You just collect the trash bag and feed it into the recycler.
Camera
The Camera unlocks photography and daily tasks. This gives you a second steady source of Alien Points.
You can photograph customers as they enter or hang around. It is easy bonus research with very little risk.
Trash Bag
Trash Bag increases how much trash you carry at once. It sounds small, but it saves time and speeds up research loops.
Less running back and forth means more points per day.
Alien Upgrades To Be Careful With
Some Alien tech looks cool but increases base suspicion heavily. If you do not have ways to lower suspicion, things can spiral fast.
Be cautious with:
Spy Plushies
Hypnotic Image Projector
Wacky Inflated Entry Enforcer
CCTV
They boost profits or intel, but raise suspicion. If agents are already showing up often, slow down.
If you want to offset suspicion later, Brain Washer Barrier or Auto Brain Washer helps stabilize things.
Best Early Store Upgrades
Cash flow keeps your station alive. Expanding too slowly makes customers angry because they expect items immediately after you unlock them.
Pump Expansion
More pumps equals more cars. More cars equals more money.
This is one of the strongest early upgrades because it increases income without adding suspicion.
First Shop Expansion
You will run out of space quickly. Expanding early prevents crowding and lets you place shelves properly.
Do this before unlocking too many new product categories.
Cold Drinks
Cold Drinks unlock fridges and popular items. These sell consistently and are easy to stock.
It is a reliable early revenue boost without complicated setup.
Product Lines To Delay
It is tempting to unlock everything. Do not.
Before investing in later items like Fresh Produce or advanced Drugstore upgrades, make sure:
You have shelf space
You have cash for stock
You can handle increased demand
Unlocking products tells customers they should be available. If shelves are empty, they get unhappy fast.
Fun But Low Priority Upgrades
Some upgrades exist more for chaos than efficiency.
Examples include:
Loudspeaker
Decorative items that add noise
Dog decoration
These do not help research or core profits. Buy them when your station is stable and you want personality.
Mid To Late Game Power Picks
Once you control suspicion and cash flow, stronger Alien tech becomes worth it.
Good late investments include:
Replicator to reduce restocking costs
Auto Brain Washer to lower suspicion heavily
Scanner 2.0 to improve trash point output
Bang Flash for better Camera research gain
These are strong once your foundation is stable.
Final Blurb
The best upgrades in Roadside Research are the ones that create steady income and research without triggering heavy suspicion early. Prioritize Trashcan, Camera, Pump Expansion, and Shop Expansion first. Avoid stacking high suspicion Alien tech too early, and do not unlock more products than your store can handle. Build stable systems first, then go wild with alien science later.
FAQ
What is the best first Alien Upgrade in Roadside Research?
Trashcan is one of the best early picks because it increases steady Alien Point generation with very low risk.
What Store Upgrade should I unlock first?
Pump Expansion is extremely strong early because it increases vehicle traffic and profit.
Do Alien Upgrades increase suspicion?
Some do. Items like Spy Plushies and CCTV raise base suspicion, so use them carefully.
Should I unlock lots of products early?
No. Unlocking products increases customer expectations. Expand your shop space before adding too many new product categories.
