Small change to endgame to help.

[Yukiko]

This is kind of a short-sighted view. That ring you got from AS1 obviously wasn't necessary to clear AS1, so it's "useless" so far as subsequent AS1 clears are concerned besides making them slightly easier. However, the larger purpose of that ring is to give you a stepping stone towards the progressively more difficult AS2, 3, and 4. On that same token, while the AS4 weapon is "useless" for Alex Savage progression since you have to clear AS4 to get it in the first place, it's still going to be a stepping stone for future, steadily more difficult content.

You dont play many games, do you?