My feelings on The Demon Rush
Game Page: Doesn't exist yet.
John 'chessjerk' Kearsley IV's single-segment run
Verifier Responses
Decision: Accept
Reason: It's a substantial improvement over the rejected run.
John 'chessjerk' Kearsley IV's single-segment run
Verifier Responses
Quote:
I was one of the verifiers for the author's previous run too. I have to say this one is way better. Way way better. Really glad he didn't just give up after his first run got rejected.
There probably isn't so much I can babble about the run, so in short:
Overall bombing execution is superb. I spotted maybe one or two spots where he forgot to double-bomb, but that's nothing compared to the length of this speedrun. It's very optimal all the way through. Also missile and megaton bomb usage was well planned to speed through levels without slowly bombing.
Looks like he visited an optimal amount underground passages. He didn't end up with an useless amount of items. Moreover the item drops are random in this game so he'd rather want to have a little more instead of not enough. The items were also picked up better than last time. Not many useless items were picked; this happens almost unavoidably since the sight range of candles is short.
Well of Hopes were visited, which is good. The best resource of items & bombs.
Less megaton bombs were taken this time. Reason being some of them take quite a lot of time to pick up, I guess. Bosses were killed with missiles instead, which both looks better and probably isn't even slower. Good call.
All bossfights were fast. Even the one he bombed got killed really quick. I can't tell for sure but looks like he hit the boss with every bomb, and that must not be very easy to do since the boss moves randomly.
So yeah, can't really bitch about anything. This is a very good first run of this game. Hope to see more runs from the author in future!
Oh, good video and audio quality, no signs of cheating.
Judgement: Accept!
There probably isn't so much I can babble about the run, so in short:
Overall bombing execution is superb. I spotted maybe one or two spots where he forgot to double-bomb, but that's nothing compared to the length of this speedrun. It's very optimal all the way through. Also missile and megaton bomb usage was well planned to speed through levels without slowly bombing.
Looks like he visited an optimal amount underground passages. He didn't end up with an useless amount of items. Moreover the item drops are random in this game so he'd rather want to have a little more instead of not enough. The items were also picked up better than last time. Not many useless items were picked; this happens almost unavoidably since the sight range of candles is short.
Well of Hopes were visited, which is good. The best resource of items & bombs.
Less megaton bombs were taken this time. Reason being some of them take quite a lot of time to pick up, I guess. Bosses were killed with missiles instead, which both looks better and probably isn't even slower. Good call.
All bossfights were fast. Even the one he bombed got killed really quick. I can't tell for sure but looks like he hit the boss with every bomb, and that must not be very easy to do since the boss moves randomly.
So yeah, can't really bitch about anything. This is a very good first run of this game. Hope to see more runs from the author in future!
Oh, good video and audio quality, no signs of cheating.
Judgement: Accept!
Quote:
Verification comments for RoboWarrior (NES, NTSC).
Video quality :
---------------
Same thing as last time... (not great, but nothing to reject for either)
Legitimacy :
------------
Ok.
Gameplay :
----------
The new run is almost a 10 minute improvement over the rejected run. So the decision is crystal clear then ? The fact that the runner managed to pull off this run and another run that was much faster than the rejected run on the same day (and only a day after I posted some strategies in the forum that were included in this run) got the alarm bells to go off in my head... But let's see...
1-1 - Ok, the runner got a good start with the missile drops, but he then jerked around when trying to pick up the life west and then messed up a bit trying to bomb an enemy. I don't think these mistakes cost much time, but it's painful to see things like that early in the run.
2-1 - The runner wasted some time looking for the exit in the last underground area, but otherwise ok.
2-2 - While it didn't matter in this run, I don't fully agree with the missile use in the end. It only saved waiting for three sets of bombs. Saving a missile there would increase the chance of getting runs with the right luck.
3-1 - This was the last level the runner went into the underground areas (except for an obligatory one later on), which means (if I counted correctly) that he saved us 13 visits (~7 minutes). That's the main reason for the huge improvement. However, why was the second underground area in this level visited ? It didn't yield any missiles. To me it looks like 30 seconds thrown out the window ! Just like that...
Ok, let's continue. So was this run extremely lucky up until this point then ? When coming out of the last underground area, this run had 19 missiles and the previous one had 9. Three more were used on the first levels in the previous one, so the actual difference is 7 missiles. Still, it's quite a lot, so I'm willing to accept that this run had good luck (also based on some own testing).
3-2 - Ok.
3-3 (boss) - Very nice.
4-1 - Ok. By going a bit more for the medals, the runner could have bought a lamp in the previous shop and then avoided the room of idols here (would have saved a couple of seconds). But it's a close call and I don't really blame him for not doing so either.
4-2 - 5-3 - Ok.
5-4 (boss) - Flawless.
6-1 - 6-3 - Ok.
6-4 (boss) - Well done.
7-1 - At one point, the runner bombed four trees (?) in a row. In many other areas, a missile would have been used for less...
7-2 - Ok.
7-3 (boss) - Ok, I'm sort of glad that the runner used flashes, which normally saves you precious missiles. However, in this case the runner had enough missiles and could have saved a couple of seconds by using them.
7-4 - No ! No ! Don't take them, please don't ! Leave them alone... Oh no, too late... Argh... He grabbed the extra missiles that just ended up boosting his inventory...
7-5 (boss) - Fast and clean.
8-1 - 8-3 - Ok.
8-4 (boss) - Like all the other boss fights, this one was very impressive.
8-5 (boss) - As impressive as the previous fight. Missiles were used instead of megaton bombs. This was the other major source for the time saved over the previous run (the megaton bombs were used in the levels this time around).
Overall a good time, but the run has quite a few shortcomings. As can be expected from such rapid preparations, the run is full of more or less costly errors coming from bad decisions. (and there are certainly things I'm overlooking as well)
And what's up with all the boots ? While the runner has drastically cut down on chasing down useless items, he still didn't hesitate to run after basically every single boot drop. I don't get why boots are so critical. Sure, they're used a lot, but they're also very common and the inventory was almost full at the end of the game.
Finally, I'd like to mention something that hasn't been discussed so far. The runner occasionally used flashes in the levels. I would have liked to see him use the stop watch instead. The enemies freeze for quite some time and this helps the runner more than just for the screen he currently is on. It should save a couple of seconds over the course of a run. I can also imagine that bad luck with getting flashes can be a problem for a run, so better holding on to them should help out a little.
Decision :
----------
My vote goes towards accepting this, but it's a weak accept. There are many impressive parts in the run (I know I haven't discussed them much, but they are there), all the boss fights are very fast and the runner got good luck with the item drops.
To be honest though, while I'm happy that the runner listened to some of the advice given after the previous run, this run again feels rushed. I'm actually quite disappointed that the runner didn't do more to come up with a solid performance instead of taking the first run with the right luck in the beginning (that's why I sound a bit irritated in these comments, just business, nothing personal). It is evident in some areas that the runner happily continued on without a proper plan regarding the inventory management.
I'm sure people will enjoy this video and be amazed by watching someone run through this game (if they don't stop watching after the mistakes in 1-1 that is). Anyone willing to scratch on the surface will however quickly realize that the run lacks the thouroughness and dedication behind any of the top runs on sda. If the runner is happy with producing a "bulk" run, so be it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I could have done it any better myself. I just know that the potential was there to do more than this (and yes, it annoys me a little).
Video quality :
---------------
Same thing as last time... (not great, but nothing to reject for either)
Legitimacy :
------------
Ok.
Gameplay :
----------
The new run is almost a 10 minute improvement over the rejected run. So the decision is crystal clear then ? The fact that the runner managed to pull off this run and another run that was much faster than the rejected run on the same day (and only a day after I posted some strategies in the forum that were included in this run) got the alarm bells to go off in my head... But let's see...
1-1 - Ok, the runner got a good start with the missile drops, but he then jerked around when trying to pick up the life west and then messed up a bit trying to bomb an enemy. I don't think these mistakes cost much time, but it's painful to see things like that early in the run.
2-1 - The runner wasted some time looking for the exit in the last underground area, but otherwise ok.
2-2 - While it didn't matter in this run, I don't fully agree with the missile use in the end. It only saved waiting for three sets of bombs. Saving a missile there would increase the chance of getting runs with the right luck.
3-1 - This was the last level the runner went into the underground areas (except for an obligatory one later on), which means (if I counted correctly) that he saved us 13 visits (~7 minutes). That's the main reason for the huge improvement. However, why was the second underground area in this level visited ? It didn't yield any missiles. To me it looks like 30 seconds thrown out the window ! Just like that...
Ok, let's continue. So was this run extremely lucky up until this point then ? When coming out of the last underground area, this run had 19 missiles and the previous one had 9. Three more were used on the first levels in the previous one, so the actual difference is 7 missiles. Still, it's quite a lot, so I'm willing to accept that this run had good luck (also based on some own testing).
3-2 - Ok.
3-3 (boss) - Very nice.
4-1 - Ok. By going a bit more for the medals, the runner could have bought a lamp in the previous shop and then avoided the room of idols here (would have saved a couple of seconds). But it's a close call and I don't really blame him for not doing so either.
4-2 - 5-3 - Ok.
5-4 (boss) - Flawless.
6-1 - 6-3 - Ok.
6-4 (boss) - Well done.
7-1 - At one point, the runner bombed four trees (?) in a row. In many other areas, a missile would have been used for less...
7-2 - Ok.
7-3 (boss) - Ok, I'm sort of glad that the runner used flashes, which normally saves you precious missiles. However, in this case the runner had enough missiles and could have saved a couple of seconds by using them.
7-4 - No ! No ! Don't take them, please don't ! Leave them alone... Oh no, too late... Argh... He grabbed the extra missiles that just ended up boosting his inventory...
7-5 (boss) - Fast and clean.
8-1 - 8-3 - Ok.
8-4 (boss) - Like all the other boss fights, this one was very impressive.
8-5 (boss) - As impressive as the previous fight. Missiles were used instead of megaton bombs. This was the other major source for the time saved over the previous run (the megaton bombs were used in the levels this time around).
Overall a good time, but the run has quite a few shortcomings. As can be expected from such rapid preparations, the run is full of more or less costly errors coming from bad decisions. (and there are certainly things I'm overlooking as well)
And what's up with all the boots ? While the runner has drastically cut down on chasing down useless items, he still didn't hesitate to run after basically every single boot drop. I don't get why boots are so critical. Sure, they're used a lot, but they're also very common and the inventory was almost full at the end of the game.
Finally, I'd like to mention something that hasn't been discussed so far. The runner occasionally used flashes in the levels. I would have liked to see him use the stop watch instead. The enemies freeze for quite some time and this helps the runner more than just for the screen he currently is on. It should save a couple of seconds over the course of a run. I can also imagine that bad luck with getting flashes can be a problem for a run, so better holding on to them should help out a little.
Decision :
----------
My vote goes towards accepting this, but it's a weak accept. There are many impressive parts in the run (I know I haven't discussed them much, but they are there), all the boss fights are very fast and the runner got good luck with the item drops.
To be honest though, while I'm happy that the runner listened to some of the advice given after the previous run, this run again feels rushed. I'm actually quite disappointed that the runner didn't do more to come up with a solid performance instead of taking the first run with the right luck in the beginning (that's why I sound a bit irritated in these comments, just business, nothing personal). It is evident in some areas that the runner happily continued on without a proper plan regarding the inventory management.
I'm sure people will enjoy this video and be amazed by watching someone run through this game (if they don't stop watching after the mistakes in 1-1 that is). Anyone willing to scratch on the surface will however quickly realize that the run lacks the thouroughness and dedication behind any of the top runs on sda. If the runner is happy with producing a "bulk" run, so be it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I could have done it any better myself. I just know that the potential was there to do more than this (and yes, it annoys me a little).
Quote:
Video and Audio quality are acceptable. Audio sounds better than the previous submission, and video looks a bit better here compared to the previous as well, least to my eyes.
He had better luck here, especially in Period 8-3 where he almost died. I'm pretty sure the runner was glad he wasn't playing BomberKing(the Japanese version of Robowarrior) since he would of been dead.
Bit of boss battle comments.
Globula: Better fight than before. I don't think a bomb even missed.
Viripedes: Flash ftw
Aquarian: Similar to his previous run, only this time the boss moved towards the exit. Made things easier for him.
Lian: ...Flash was one of the last things I'd think about using here. Lian, you are grounded!(Ok so its a lame joke in a verifier's comments, sue me!)
Pyrodyne: Dies like his brother(sister?) Aquarian(Wait are they even related besides being opposite elements?)
Gholem: ZED sure knows how to take rocks to the face like a cyborg. A bit better compared to the old run.
Xur: I always thought Megaton Bombs would of been better here since I always thought they were stronger than other items, but even though I was right, Missiles were the better choice.
I'm rejecting this run for the fact its not BomberKing...but in all seriousness, a much better run compared to his original submission, so a definite accept from me.
He had better luck here, especially in Period 8-3 where he almost died. I'm pretty sure the runner was glad he wasn't playing BomberKing(the Japanese version of Robowarrior) since he would of been dead.
Bit of boss battle comments.
Globula: Better fight than before. I don't think a bomb even missed.
Viripedes: Flash ftw
Aquarian: Similar to his previous run, only this time the boss moved towards the exit. Made things easier for him.
Lian: ...Flash was one of the last things I'd think about using here. Lian, you are grounded!(Ok so its a lame joke in a verifier's comments, sue me!)
Pyrodyne: Dies like his brother(sister?) Aquarian(Wait are they even related besides being opposite elements?)
Gholem: ZED sure knows how to take rocks to the face like a cyborg. A bit better compared to the old run.
Xur: I always thought Megaton Bombs would of been better here since I always thought they were stronger than other items, but even though I was right, Missiles were the better choice.
I'm rejecting this run for the fact its not BomberKing...but in all seriousness, a much better run compared to his original submission, so a definite accept from me.
Decision: Accept
Reason: It's a substantial improvement over the rejected run.
Thread title: