Alpha Protocol

2012-12-22 06:49:20 am

OK - the run is done. Well - a trial at least! Final time was 2:22:01.

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/350164569

As you can see - it's flawed. I die twice (I think - I can't even remember it all!) fail splits on multiple occasions and even turn down the game audio at one point! (In my defense this was a request from an audience member - and I didn't really disagree with him either.) But it's a good trial run if I may say so myself.

If you think my route could be improved - please speak up. Some things such as bringing in Albatross for the Graybox are more "Single Segment" strats. Not having the G22 soldiers just makes a couple of bits harder - but more importantly - easier to die in. So I'm not fussed about spending the minute or so it takes to get him on board if it saves a run or two. Smiley

In regards to technical aspects - it's woeful. I pick way too many fights - forget to equip EMPs at least 3 times and so on. The tier three pistol is awesome - I didn't even think to try Marburg's pistol though. Could save me the $100k. (Although I did blow his sorry little brains out!)

To anyone who still has the rejected run - I'd kill for a copy - or at the very least the time achieved. I'd like to use it as a sort of benchmark - just to see how it's all cooking.

OK - the run is done. Well - a trial at least!    Final time was 2:22:01.

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/350164569

As you can see - it's flawed. I die twice (I think - I can't even remember it all!) fail splits on multiple occasions and even turn down the game audio at one point! (In my defense this was a request from an audience member - and I didn't really disagree with him either.) But it's a good trial run if I may say so myself.

If you think my route could be improved - please speak up. Some things such as bringing in Albatross for the Graybox are more "Single Segment" strats. Not having the G22 soldiers just makes a couple of bits harder - but more importantly - easier to die in. So I'm not fussed about spending the minute or so it takes to get him on board if it saves a run or two. :)

In regards to technical aspects - it's woeful. I pick way too many fights - forget to equip EMPs at least 3 times and so on. The tier three pistol is awesome - I didn't even think to try Marburg's pistol though. Could save me the $100k. (Although I did blow his sorry little brains out!)

To anyone who still has the rejected run - I'd kill for a copy - or at the very least the time achieved. I'd like to use it as a sort of benchmark - just to see how it's all cooking.

The Soviet Warlord

2012-12-22 10:38:10 am

Meet Stakhanov!

I know the person who has the rejected run. Unfortunately, it was deleted a very long time ago, apparently, but I know an awful lot about this game. I played it religiously for months when I picked a copy up, so maybe I can help you out here?

Softman25

2012-12-22 05:31:32 pm

Ah well, it's a shame about the run being deleted.

But the more help the merrier! If you're willing to help - I'm willing to receive!

ZenicReverie

2012-12-22 07:20:17 pm

Waiting hurts my soul...

I deleted my copy. Maybe NMS still has his.

The Soviet Warlord

2012-12-22 08:11:43 pm

Meet Stakhanov!

However, if you're looking for a benchmark time, he says it's not one to go by, he opens admits his run sucked, and he actually has no idea why he posted it, those were his exact words. However, I can complete it casually in a day without speedrunning in just about 4-6 hours or so and I know quite a bit, so I'd place the game roughly at about 1:45:00, maybe as high as 2:20:00 I think would be a fairly good place to put it in terms of achieveable times.

NMS

2012-12-23 12:30:02 am

I haven't felt like getting started running this because I'd probably end up obsessively timing every dialog option to see its effect on conversation length. I know most of them only make a little difference with fast forwarding, but it adds up, and a few are important because they affect whether you get extra lines of dialog or whether parts are fast-forwardable. I wouldn't hold someone else's run to quite the same standard though.

I'll be pretty busy for the next few days, but I'll watch when I get a chance. I'm uploading the rejected run to FileDropper. It's about 2:33 including load times.

As far as gameplay goes, I mostly practiced running as the Veteran, but I'm not sure it helps all that much. Because the difficulty scales with skill points invested, it's better not to use most of the extra. I wouldn't upgrade the pistol because you shouldn't be using it much except for Chain Shot. Marburg's does less damage than the starting one, so I wouldn't use that either. I think a shotgun is best for rushing past guys, even if you don't invest in the skill. With medkits and a good investment in Toughness, I wouldn't think dying would be much of an issue on Easy. Getting blocked by big groups and places where you have to kill lots of guys are bigger problems. Grenades might help.

I haven't felt like getting started running this because I'd probably end up obsessively timing every dialog option to see its effect on conversation length. I know most of them only make a little difference with fast forwarding, but it adds up, and a few are important because they affect whether you get extra lines of dialog or whether parts are fast-forwardable. I wouldn't hold someone else's run to quite the same standard though.

I'll be pretty busy for the next few days, but I'll watch when I get a chance. I'm uploading the rejected run to FileDropper. It's about 2:33 including load times.

As far as gameplay goes, I mostly practiced running as the Veteran, but I'm not sure it helps all that much. Because the difficulty scales with skill points invested, it's better not to use most of the extra. I wouldn't upgrade the pistol because you shouldn't be using it much except for Chain Shot. Marburg's does less damage than the starting one, so I wouldn't use that either. I think a shotgun is best for rushing past guys, even if you don't invest in the skill. With medkits and a good investment in Toughness, I wouldn't think dying would be much of an issue on Easy. Getting blocked by big groups and places where you have to kill lots of guys are bigger problems. Grenades might help.

Softman25

2012-12-23 06:47:00 am

OK - well for anyone interested - I should be doing another run in 2 days time. Couldn't go tonight and can't go tomorrow.

I might try using a shotgun instead of AR - I'll probably habitually use the pistol mostly - I'll try my hardest! Instead of buying a pistol - maybe I'll buy a shotgun. I'd use Dengs - but I get it so late. Alternatively - I could just save the time and blow Brayko's brains out. (Which I'll probably do - it's maybe...45 seconds to a minute to actually get the cash which I won't be using. I'll still arrest Nasri and get the $20k from Westridge - which should give enough dosh to get EMPs and F. Aid Kits)

I'll also try and get the splits correct - so you can get an idea of when I'm finishing things without watching the run! (In case you don't have a quick 2 hours up your sleeve! :P)

The Soviet Warlord

2012-12-23 08:30:56 am

Meet Stakhanov!

The rejected run guy said his tactic was to invest several points in the shotgun skill. He tells me using the Tech Specialist is a good one, because it gets automatic points onto shotgun. Shotgun is good, but make sure you invest a couple of points into martial arts. One of the biggest things in his rejected run was to blast an enemy with a shotgun, using the choke helps as it tightens the spread and allows consistent one hit kills on guys up close, but if you happen to miss, one or two hits from martial arts would finish him off, but you need to very gradually update it, probably by a point or two per area, St Petersburg, Rome and Taipei, then one or two more when you get back to the Greybox.

However, using the pistol helps nicely for sniping bosses and beating them with master chainshot. Definitely worth doing on Omen Deng for one thing. But one thing that might help is the ending. Killing Marburg and making friends with Henry in the interview room allows you to work for Halbech. This means that the ending boss will be Yancy Westridge. Westridge I THINK has a mounted MG, as opposed to Henry who has a rocket launcher. If you have master critical, you can lock on a critical hit from the hanger entrance with a handgun, using right hand advantage on the wall to the left of the front door.

Assault Rifles might work better though, if you load it with APDS or Armor piercing.

Shotgun would work better though, for running, but whether or not a pistol or AR is better for a secondary is really a toss-up.

You have the choice to kill characters though, and I think I know who are the fastest. Bear in mind that the names of some guys escapes me.

- Shoot the sheik in Saudi Arabia. I believe he doesn't have any real benefits apart from emailing you afterwards and giving you a small bonus that sticks with you.
- Beat up the Russian informant in the bar. He will warn Surkov you are violent. This means the dialogue after the Russian embassy can be skipped and you won't need to meet him in his office in St Petersburg. This also means you won't doubt Brayko.
- Shoot Brayko. This means you won't need to confront Surkov at his office.
- I'm not sure about this one, but spare Omen Deng. I think he gives you a bonus and it isn't much time that you lose.
- Definitely kill Marburg. It might take a few extra minutes to finish him off in the boss fight, but chain shot and the shotgun rage tactics work wonders. Incendiary rounds really put the hurt on him! It makes the final fight easier, and it's no problems to make him hate you enough to kill him, just be suave until you are enemies (-10).
- Shoot Sis. She doesn't matter.
- You have the chose to shoot Albatross or SIE in St Petersburg. This seems to be a waste of time, but if you rescue them as a bonus objective and shoot them dead, thats a lot less in the story to deal with, but it seems as though this just limits your opportunity for the final fight, nothing else...
- Forget Mina in the final fight. No point saving her.

Take EMPs. Hacks consoles and locks instantly. Locks with more than three pins should I think he hacked with an EMP. Terminals take an extremely long time to hack, so I wouldn't bother with them. Just EMP them. I'm sure you won't need to use more than your maximum inventory carry. It saves a TON of time.

Marburg's pistol is not useful at all by the sound of it.

The rejected run guy said his tactic was to invest several points in the shotgun skill. He tells me using the Tech Specialist is a good one, because it gets automatic points onto shotgun. Shotgun is good, but make sure you invest a couple of points into martial arts. One of the biggest things in his rejected run was to blast an enemy with a shotgun, using the choke helps as it tightens the spread and allows consistent one hit kills on guys up close, but if you happen to miss, one or two hits from martial arts would finish him off, but you need to very gradually update it, probably by a point or two per area, St Petersburg, Rome and Taipei, then one or two more when you get back to the Greybox.

However, using the pistol helps nicely for sniping bosses and beating them with master chainshot. Definitely worth doing on Omen Deng for one thing. But one thing that might help is the ending. Killing Marburg and making friends with Henry in the interview room allows you to work for Halbech. This means that the ending boss will be Yancy Westridge. Westridge I THINK has a mounted MG, as opposed to Henry who has a rocket launcher. If you have master critical, you can lock on a critical hit from the hanger entrance with a handgun, using right hand advantage on the wall to the left of the front door.

Assault Rifles might work better though, if you load it with APDS or Armor piercing.

Shotgun would work better though, for running, but whether or not a pistol or AR is better for a secondary is really a toss-up.

You have the choice to kill characters though, and I think I know who are the fastest. Bear in mind that the names of some guys escapes me.

- Shoot the sheik in Saudi Arabia. I believe he doesn't have any real benefits apart from emailing you afterwards and giving you a small bonus that sticks with you.
- Beat up the Russian informant in the bar. He will warn Surkov you are violent. This means the dialogue after the Russian embassy can be skipped and you won't need to meet him in his office in St Petersburg. This also means you won't doubt Brayko.
- Shoot Brayko. This means you won't need to confront Surkov at his office.
- I'm not sure about this one, but spare Omen Deng. I think he gives you a bonus and it isn't much time that you lose.
- Definitely kill Marburg. It might take a few extra minutes to finish him off in the boss fight, but chain shot and the shotgun rage tactics work wonders. Incendiary rounds really put the hurt on him! It makes the final fight easier, and it's no problems to make him hate you enough to kill him, just be suave until you are enemies (-10).
- Shoot Sis. She doesn't matter.
- You have the chose to shoot Albatross or SIE in St Petersburg. This seems to be a waste of time, but if you rescue them as a bonus objective and shoot them dead, thats a lot less in the story to deal with, but it seems as though this just limits your opportunity for the final fight, nothing else...
- Forget Mina in the final fight. No point saving her.

Take EMPs. Hacks consoles and locks instantly. Locks with more than three pins should I think he hacked with an EMP. Terminals take an extremely long time to hack, so I wouldn't bother with them. Just EMP them. I'm sure you won't need to use more than your maximum inventory carry. It saves a TON of time.

Marburg's pistol is not useful at all by the sound of it.

NMS

Edit history:

NMS: 2014-11-09 10:08:15 am

2012-12-23 08:18:47 pm

OK, here is TheLongshotLegend's rejected run:

I did get a chance to watch part of your stream and I would say that the main issue is that you're killing way too many enemies. Not only is it faster to skip them, but you take less damage by running past them than repeatedly getting in point-blank gunfights (without a shotgun), which is what caused your deaths.

I definitely recommend reading this whole thread carefully. It's full of useful suggestions and info. But here are some particularly important things, which may not be already mentioned above:

Make sure you have enough EMPs for every mission. I think some might need up to 5 4. But you probably don't need more than one stack of medkits, given the cooldown and all the medical supply cabinets.

On the second part of the sniping mission, you only need to worry about the outside guys (there are 4, I think). Work from left to right, since they only escape from the left side. And you can snipe al-Barra as soon as he appears.

At the end of Ruins Transmission, you have to kill a certain number of enemies, so do it as fast as possible. I think incendiaries where they drop down from the scaffolding might help.

Killing Marburg can save time, but only maybe 10 seconds, and that's assuming you have Chain Shot ready again as soon as the second fight begins (which requires some cooldown reduction perks or Brilliance).

I tested shooting Omen Deng early, and his health can't be reduced below 80% or so before you get to the boss fight area. Too bad.

~~Fighting Westridge instead of Leland is bad~~. You just get an extra cutscene with him before you go on to the one with Leland. The fight should be over quickly with Chain Shot either way.

On PC, use the keyboard shortcuts I, P, and M rather than running around the safehouse, except when you have to wait for a conversation.

OK, here is TheLongshotLegend's rejected run: [hidden]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/1greyboxsaudi[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/2saudi[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/3taipei[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/4taipei[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/5taipeirome[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/6rome[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/7romemoscow[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/8moscow[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/9moscowgreybox[/url]
[url]http://www.filedropper.com/10greybox[/url]
[/hidden]

I did get a chance to watch part of your stream and I would say that the main issue is that you're killing way too many enemies. Not only is it faster to skip them, but you take less damage by running past them than repeatedly getting in point-blank gunfights (without a shotgun), which is what caused your deaths.

I definitely recommend reading this whole thread carefully. It's full of useful suggestions and info. But here are some particularly important things, which may not be already mentioned above:

Make sure you have enough EMPs for every mission. I think some might need up to [s]5[/s] 4. But you probably don't need more than one stack of medkits, given the cooldown and all the medical supply cabinets.

On the second part of the sniping mission, you only need to worry about the outside guys (there are 4, I think). Work from left to right, since they only escape from the left side. And you can snipe al-Barra as soon as he appears.

At the end of Ruins Transmission, you have to kill a certain number of enemies, so do it as fast as possible. I think incendiaries where they drop down from the scaffolding might help.

Killing Marburg can save time, but only maybe 10 seconds, and that's assuming you have Chain Shot ready again as soon as the second fight begins (which requires some cooldown reduction perks or Brilliance).

I tested shooting Omen Deng early, and his health can't be reduced below 80% or so before you get to the boss fight area. Too bad.

[s]Fighting Westridge instead of Leland is bad[/s]. You just get an extra cutscene with him before you go on to the one with Leland. The fight should be over quickly with Chain Shot either way.

On PC, use the keyboard shortcuts I, P, and M rather than running around the safehouse, except when you have to wait for a conversation.

Softman25

Edit history:

Softman25: 2012-12-24 05:07:02 am

2012-12-24 05:04:58 am

Thanks to you both for responding - and for that run. To be honest - I won't be able to watch it until after I do my run tomorrow - but I'll certainly watch it! (Australian internet quotas - sigh)

I'll try to respond to as many points as possible - my apologies in advance if I miss anything.

@Soviet Warlord

- If I'm using a shotgun - I'll be going Shotty-Pistol - simply for the boss killing power. (Everyone dies)
- You can not shoot Brayko and get the cash. As I said I'll probably shoot him now because I don't need cash as much - but if you do want cash...$75k for the taking!
- I'm not sure about shooting Sis - I really want Albatross in my corner. Primarily because of the G22 support for the Graybox. Huge help.
- Rest of everything I totally agree with. EMPs - oh yes. Don't save Mina etc etc.

@NMS

- Agree with killing too many guys. It was a first run though - play gentle <3
- I have read the thread - plenty of useful. Like a useful sandwich
- I forgot about EMPs in that run all the damn time - but I'm making damn sure about not forgetting this time around!
- I didn't know about that in the second bit of the sniping mission! Cheers!
- I always thought Ruins Transmission was on a timer not the guards. But hell - I'm cool either way!
- I will have Chain Shot ready for Marburg - so off with his head!
- It's a bugger about not killing Deng - but eh. I can insta him either way. (CS>Brill>CS)
- I was going to fight Leland anyway - so no bones there.
- I knew about the shortcuts...why I didn't use them...I dunno. Just my stupidity. I'll try that for sure this coming run.

Again - thanks goes out to all - I'll slap the next live run down here when I do it - adios until then!

EDIT: I was thinking of just leaving Albatross in Braykos mansion - and not going to see him for Graybox. It would save time on having to rescue him - the cutscene and going to see him before Graybox. However - no G22 soldiers! Thoughts?

Thanks to you both for responding - and for that run. To be honest - I won't be able to watch it until after I do my run tomorrow - but I'll certainly watch it! (Australian internet quotas - sigh)

I'll try to respond to as many points as possible - my apologies in advance if I miss anything.

@Soviet Warlord

- If I'm using a shotgun - I'll be going Shotty-Pistol - simply for the boss killing power. (Everyone dies)
- You can not shoot Brayko and get the cash. As I said I'll probably shoot him now because I don't need cash as much - but if you do want cash...$75k for the taking!
- I'm not sure about shooting Sis - I really want Albatross in my corner. Primarily because of the G22 support for the Graybox. Huge help.
- Rest of everything I totally agree with. EMPs - oh yes. Don't save Mina etc etc.

@NMS

- Agree with killing too many guys. It was a first run though - play gentle <3
- I have read the thread - plenty of useful. Like a useful sandwich
- I forgot about EMPs in that run all the damn time - but I'm making damn sure about not forgetting this time around!
- I didn't know about that in the second bit of the sniping mission! Cheers!
- I always thought Ruins Transmission was on a timer not the guards. But hell - I'm cool either way!
- I will have Chain Shot ready for Marburg - so off with his head!
- It's a bugger about not killing Deng - but eh. I can insta him either way. (CS>Brill>CS)
- I was going to fight Leland anyway - so no bones there.
- I knew about the shortcuts...why I didn't use them...I dunno. Just my stupidity. I'll try that for sure this coming run.

Again - thanks goes out to all - I'll slap the next live run down here when I do it - adios until then!

EDIT: I was thinking of just leaving Albatross in Braykos mansion - and not going to see him for Graybox. It would save time on having to rescue him - the cutscene and going to see him before Graybox. However - no G22 soldiers! Thoughts?

NMS

2012-12-25 02:35:49 am

Actually, you have to do one of the two side objectives on Brayko's mansion. I'm pretty sure rescuing Albatross is still faster than the alternative (getting the data from the vault). But not as fast as killing him.

But now I've seen the final mission with Albatross and to my utter lack of surprise, it's nearly identical to having Heck. It saves 20 seconds of Heck's blather during the boat ride, but otherwise I don't think it affects the time in any noticeable way. So it's a waste of time to get him on your side. The only option I'm not sure about is joining Halbech. If the cutscenes after fighting Westridge are skippable, that would save some time. But otherwise it's better to punch Leland to end the conversation.

Also, Investigate Warehouse Data Trail is faster than Contact Hong Shi and Assault Triad Headquarters in Slums. Especially if Albatross is dead first.

Softman25

Edit history:

Softman25: 2012-12-25 07:46:35 am

Softman25: 2012-12-25 07:44:38 am

2012-12-25 07:43:47 am

Alright - it started dodgy as hell (Failed Embassy at least 5 times etc...Then the game crashed at Embassy on the next run) I finally got a run through.

Final time - 2:10:05

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/350991840 - Part 1 (1 hour)

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/350997857 - Part 2 (3 minutes)

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/351002396 - Part 3 (1 hour)

It's in three parts due to frame dropping - you'll notice it in the latter stages of part one and two.

Now - I got 2:10 with a whole heap of mistakes. My prologue was abysmal - I died in Saudi(!), died in a bunch of other places - and the biggest screw up - accidentally went for "both" things in Braykos mansion. I thought it would just give me the option to do both/either/none! Turns out (as you said) you have to do one.

Also - because I shot Sis - I couldn't get Albatross on board for the Graybox - and took Heck. You're right. I was going for Albatross for the G22 soldiers. But Heck bounces around and just replaces them - which is awesome. So Old Alby's going to die. Also - I'm stopping the timer before the boat (fade out after blowing away Leland) so the boat yammering is irrelevant. (It's also hilarious)

Your tip for the Al Bara mission shaved minutes off the final time. Many thanks for that. Same goes for the keyboard shortcuts. I forgot the shortcut mid run (I have it now) for the computer (emails) so I just went to the damn thing. That was to get the $30k from Westridge/Mina. (Arrest Nasri/Slush Fund) That money bought me all the EMPs and F-Aid Kits I wanted. Fantastic stuff. If I really wanted more money - I can sell the Gold Plated AR / Brayko's SMG's / Marburg's Pistol.

Speaking of Marburg - I accidentally forgot to taunt him before attacking - so his rep wasn't low enough and I couldn't kill him in this run. Big oops...

I used Shotty - Pistol in this run. It kinda worked but it felt off so to speak. Sometimes it (The shotty) would stun dudes - sometimes it just...wouldn't and they'd slap me around. It was hit and miss. Overall however - it did seem quicker than...aiming - even with the occasional miss. I tried out Deng's shotgun for the Graybox. Dear god I hated it...maybe I was using it wrong but I just...didn't like it.

For whatever reason I thought you had to do the Triad mission for the info. I just never tested Warehouse. If you can just do that...I'm very much going to.

I'm pretty sure I can get sub-2 on a good run. Maybe like...2:01:XX. Once I have a run with Albatross dying, no deaths and a proper route - that should give a ballpark of what to go for...and hopefully someone with more skill can whip my time in the ass. Tongue

Alright - it started dodgy as hell (Failed Embassy at least 5 times etc...Then the game crashed at Embassy on the next run) I finally got a run through.

Final time - 2:10:05

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/350991840 - Part 1 (1 hour)

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/350997857 - Part 2 (3 minutes)

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/351002396 - Part 3 (1 hour)

It's in three parts due to frame dropping - you'll notice it in the latter stages of part one and two.

Now - I got 2:10 with a whole heap of mistakes. My prologue was abysmal - I died in Saudi(!), died in a bunch of other places - and the biggest screw up - accidentally went for "both" things in Braykos mansion. I thought it would just give me the option to do both/either/none! Turns out (as you said) you have to do one.

Also - because I shot Sis - I couldn't get Albatross on board for the Graybox - and took Heck. You're right. I was going for Albatross for the G22 soldiers. But Heck bounces around and just replaces them - which is awesome. So Old Alby's going to die. Also - I'm stopping the timer before the boat (fade out after blowing away Leland) so the boat yammering is irrelevant. (It's also hilarious)

Your tip for the Al Bara mission shaved minutes off the final time. Many thanks for that. Same goes for the keyboard shortcuts. I forgot the shortcut mid run (I have it now) for the computer (emails) so I just went to the damn thing. That was to get the $30k from Westridge/Mina. (Arrest Nasri/Slush Fund) That money bought me all the EMPs and F-Aid Kits I wanted. Fantastic stuff. If I really wanted more money - I can sell the Gold Plated AR / Brayko's SMG's / Marburg's Pistol.

Speaking of Marburg - I accidentally forgot to taunt him before attacking - so his rep wasn't low enough and I couldn't kill him in this run. Big oops...

I used Shotty - Pistol in this run. It kinda worked but it felt off so to speak. Sometimes it (The shotty) would stun dudes - sometimes it just...wouldn't and they'd slap me around. It was hit and miss. Overall however - it did seem quicker than...aiming - even with the occasional miss. I tried out Deng's shotgun for the Graybox. Dear god I hated it...maybe I was using it wrong but I just...didn't like it.

For whatever reason I thought you had to do the Triad mission for the info. I just never tested Warehouse. If you can just do that...I'm very much going to.

I'm pretty sure I can get sub-2 on a good run. Maybe like...2:01:XX. Once I have a run with Albatross dying, no deaths and a proper route - that should give a ballpark of what to go for...and hopefully someone with more skill can whip my time in the ass. :P

The Soviet Warlord

2012-12-25 08:20:17 am

Meet Stakhanov!

Yeah, for some reason, my game crashes on the Embassy too... I dont know if it's just my disc, but it seems a coincidence that it seems to crash at the same point for both of us. It's as soon as I start the level, it just goes black screen and stops playing.

Softman25

2012-12-25 08:44:38 am

Yeah - I also got a crash when I started the game - but after I restarted my computer it worked.

I'm also using the Steam version! Just another bug to chalk up I guess!

NMS

2012-12-28 03:47:35 am

I thought I'd try my hand at single segment. I've done 3 runs now. The last one was also 2:10 real time by coincidence. It's really full of deaths and other screwups, plus I'm still testing a bunch of things, so there's lots of room for improvement. I guess not playing as Veteran really is significantly tougher.

However, it does have a bunch of strategy improvements. I Frapsed it, so I could encode and upload it if you're interested.

Important things I've learned:
-Shooting Brayko as he jumps off the stage (if you bought tainted coke) can cause him to vanish, making the fight unwinnable.
-Thrown EMP grenades do not work for Interference.
-Joining Halbech seems to be a good idea. I haven't timed all the cutscenes it changes, but I suspect it saves about a minute.
-Incendiary Bombs are effective at killing guys, but the flames don't last long enough to repeatedly kill guys as they enter an area.

Things I still need to test:
-Equipment/skill/ammo combinations for basically all the boss fights. I've had trouble with Chain Shot not doing quite enough damage.
-Moscow Embassy. Aaaargh.
-Which options are fastest in unskippable dialogs.
-The helicopter. The damage it takes is so random.
-Total EMP grenades required.

I thought I'd try my hand at single segment. I've done 3 runs now. The last one was also 2:10 real time by coincidence. It's really full of deaths and other screwups, plus I'm still testing a bunch of things, so there's lots of room for improvement. I guess not playing as Veteran really is significantly tougher.

However, it does have a bunch of strategy improvements. I Frapsed it, so I could encode and upload it if you're interested.

Important things I've learned:
-Shooting Brayko as he jumps off the stage (if you bought tainted coke) can cause him to vanish, making the fight unwinnable.
-Thrown EMP grenades do not work for Interference.
-Joining Halbech seems to be a good idea. I haven't timed all the cutscenes it changes, but I suspect it saves about a minute.
-Incendiary Bombs are effective at killing guys, but the flames don't last long enough to repeatedly kill guys as they enter an area.

Things I still need to test:
-Equipment/skill/ammo combinations for basically all the boss fights. I've had trouble with Chain Shot not doing quite enough damage.
-Moscow Embassy. Aaaargh.
-Which options are fastest in unskippable dialogs.
-The helicopter. The damage it takes is so random.
-Total EMP grenades required.

Softman25

2012-12-28 04:05:40 am

2:10 - neat.

Joining Halbech is an interesting option. I honestly have no idea what the requirements are - but I'm sure it's not hard.

I think getting Steel Core rounds for a couple of bosses would be nice - or even standard rounds for the first chain - then tranqs for the second.

Helicopter is just messed up generally...*sigh*

I just spam EMPs then buy more every time I go to the computer anyway - it seems to work. I didn't run out in my 2:10.

I think we should be able to get this sub 2 easily with some practice and polish.

The Soviet Warlord

2012-12-28 08:34:19 am

Meet Stakhanov!

To join Halbech, you need to shoot Marburg dead in Rome. To do this, you need to make him hate you. Use nothing but suave responses when speaking to him, and he will very quickly hate you. Make sure it's -10. It won't be hard to make it so.

Then, in the museum fight, you MUST choose to get the bomb, NOT Madison! If you go for Madison, it is not possible to kill Marburg. Then, when fighting Marburg, taunt and insult him in the dialogue in which he is wounded. He will get angered and try to finish the fight, to which, murder him.

Next, during interviews with Leland in between each mission, befriend him, be professional and aim for about 5-7+ in respect. Shouldn't be too difficult. Stick to professional responses, and the occasional suave where needed, and he will quickly like you. Then, in the mission before the Greybox, in the final conversation before you get thrown out of the interview, Leland will tell you that since his head of security is now dead, that he needs someone to replace him, and asks you to take his place. After accepting, he will tell you how to escape. Killing Marburg also skips a short dialogue where he confronts you on the way out to the Greybox cell.

Once you accept Leland's offer, Yancy Westridge will replace him as the final fight, and Leland will instead meet you at the Greybox boat.

To join Halbech, you need to shoot Marburg dead in Rome. To do this, you need to make him hate you. Use nothing but suave responses when speaking to him, and he will very quickly hate you. Make sure it's -10. It won't be hard to make it so.

Then, in the museum fight, you MUST choose to get the bomb, NOT Madison! If you go for Madison, it is not possible to kill Marburg. Then, when fighting Marburg, taunt and insult him in the dialogue in which he is wounded. He will get angered and try to finish the fight, to which, murder him.

Next, during interviews with Leland in between each mission, befriend him, be professional and aim for about 5-7+ in respect. Shouldn't be too difficult. Stick to professional responses, and the occasional suave where needed, and he will quickly like you. Then, in the mission before the Greybox, in the final conversation before you get thrown out of the interview, Leland will tell you that since his head of security is now dead, that he needs someone to replace him, and asks you to take his place. After accepting, he will tell you how to escape. Killing Marburg also skips a short dialogue where he confronts you on the way out to the Greybox cell.

Once you accept Leland's offer, Yancy Westridge will replace him as the final fight, and Leland will instead meet you at the Greybox boat.

NMS

Edit history:

NMS: 2012-12-28 02:58:24 pm

2012-12-28 02:50:22 pm

That seems right, except for the part about Madison vs. the bombs. You can definitely kill Marburg either way. But the bombs are slightly faster. Also, you need to have used more suave responses than professional or aggressive over the entire game, which is why I want to get Rome out of the way early.

One time you don't want to be professional with Leland is the one labeled "View?", which causes an unskippable section. And don't betray Leland at the end.

I'm not sure what the best way to handle Madison is. Keeping her neutral may be best. Too high and you get the scene where you find her sleeping before the conversation, too low and she attacks and tases you (not sure if that skips the normal conversation).

Softman25

2012-12-28 06:19:32 pm

I just gave Aggressive responses until -2 then went back up to 0. She's really easy to manipulate. Tongue

Funnily enough now I think of it - I think I got offered to join Halbech on one of my runs. Instead though - I punched Leland in the face. Smiley

I'll try get another run through tomorrow night - see how that pans out.

NMS

2012-12-29 08:03:55 pm

I encoded my recorded run and I'm doing some side-by-side comparison.

It's nearly 20 sec faster to go to Surkov's office than to shoot him at the Embassy.

It seems to be a few seconds faster at the end of Taipei if you prevent the riots rather than the assassination.

I haven't tried all the options for the unskippable cutscene with Mina near the end, but I'm pretty confident that having her mad at you is slightly faster than friendly and that romancing her is much slower than not.

Joining Halbech takes 30 seconds longer in the interrogation room than punching Leland, but that means it's still about 45 seconds faster total.

Softman25

Edit history:

Softman25: 2012-12-30 07:02:03 am

2012-12-29 08:57:04 pm

Hmmm...now this is some useful information.

I don't know about you - but I'm still going to stay friendly with Mina - if anything for the bonus Endurance her bonus gives. It's a huge help throughout many tough sections.

Joining Halbech - sounds sweet.

Going to Surkov? Wow - I honestly didn't see that coming. But I'm game.

I always prevented the assassination for no real reason - but I'm game to switch for the sake of the run!

I'll be doing another run tonight so I thank you quite sincerely for this information. We'll see what I can't dig up re time! Smiley

EDIT: Regret to inform that the runs tonight did not go well. After a solid run was ruined by the game CRASHING at embassy - I then started another which ended with a death in Saudi - then multiple deaths in Moscow...I'll try again tomorrow!

Softman25

Edit history:

Softman25: 2012-12-31 06:26:42 pm

Softman25: 2012-12-31 07:23:02 am

Softman25: 2012-12-31 07:22:20 am

2012-12-31 07:21:56 am

Yo yo wassup...it's balla in here. This run is done and the final time is 1:59:48.

http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/352745881

Some notes about the run:

- Didn't kill Marburg or join Halbech. Why? F*** knows. I pissed off Marburg as much as possible and he just wouldn't go. HE WOULDNT FITE ME. So that kinda sucked.
- As said in the video - full props to you NMS for the choice of Warehouse Data over Triads - saved me a good couple of minutes! Smiley

- I would suggest flicking through the video until the last mission in Saudi. Go to the bit where you storm the gate (open with computer) and watch from there. I don't know if it's a new trick - but where Mike and Westridge have a conversation about the missiles - you can have the conversation in the big room there - no guards - and you can start next to the exit. Badass skip! Tongue

- I died one in Brayko's Mansion - once in Embassy - once in Taipei Memorial (my stupid mistake on that one for sure - didn't F Aid!) and about 5 times against the helicopter in Graybox....I hate that effing thing I really do! That cost me 4 minutes. (Edit - also another death in the beginning of Graybox...forgot about that!)
- I managed to snag some steel core rounds from somewhere and managed to finish Leland with the CS>Brill>CS. That saved a nice chunk of time.
- I need to do some wiki research on joining Halbech. Not the requirements - but just how to get Leland's rep up. I'm sure it's not hard I just don't know any good responses. If I just learn the required amount that should do it.

I'm now convinced that the final time could actually be in the region of sub 1:54. (Or 1:54:XX - assuming no new tricks come up.

I think I have to start recording my runs with fraps or something - just in case a deathless run comes along! I think anything that is reasonably clean and deathless should be good - assuming that I manage to join Halbech that is and all those other neat tricks. Smiley

Yo yo wassup...it's balla in here.  This run is done and the final time is [b]1:59:48[/b].

[url]http://www.twitch.tv/softman25/b/352745881[/url]

Some notes about the run:

- Didn't kill Marburg or join Halbech. Why? F*** knows. I pissed off Marburg as much as possible and he just wouldn't go. HE WOULDNT FITE ME. So that kinda sucked.
- As said in the video - full props to you NMS for the choice of Warehouse Data over Triads - saved me a good couple of minutes! :)
- I would suggest flicking through the video until the last mission in Saudi. Go to the bit where you storm the gate (open with computer) and watch from there. I don't know if it's a new trick - but where Mike and Westridge have a conversation about the missiles - you can have the conversation in the big room there - no guards - and you can start next to the exit. Badass skip! :P
- I died one in Brayko's Mansion - once in Embassy - once in Taipei Memorial (my stupid mistake on that one for sure - didn't F Aid!) and about 5 times against the helicopter in Graybox....I hate that effing thing I really do! That cost me 4 minutes. [i](Edit - also another death in the beginning of Graybox...forgot about that!)[/i]
- I managed to snag some steel core rounds from somewhere and managed to finish Leland with the CS>Brill>CS. That saved a nice chunk of time.
- I need to do some wiki research on joining Halbech. Not the requirements - but just how to get Leland's rep up. I'm sure it's not hard I just don't know any good responses. If I just learn the required amount that should do it.

I'm now convinced that the final time could actually be in the region of sub 1:54. (Or 1:54:XX - assuming no new tricks come up.

I think I have to start recording my runs with fraps or something - just in case a deathless run comes along! I think anything that is reasonably clean and deathless should be good - assuming that I manage to join Halbech that is and all those other neat tricks. :)

The Soviet Warlord

2012-12-31 09:07:27 am

Meet Stakhanov!

For the greybox chopper, are you using the AA Missiles? I never had too much trouble with the helicopter with the FHJ-AA rockets...

Softman25

Edit history:

Softman25: 2012-12-31 06:27:31 pm

2012-12-31 06:27:03 pm

FHJ-AA whats now?

All I ever use is the missile launchers they give you on the ground. I don't know of any AA missiles.

It seems you need to hit the chopper with all the missiles they give you. The trick is doing it quickly - and without getting hit by any guards - resulting in the chopper blowing you away.

The Soviet Warlord

2012-12-31 07:29:08 pm

Meet Stakhanov!

Those were what I was referring to. I never had any trouble with the chopper, just fired off the missiles, and took cover behind large pieces of cover to avoid the gunfire from the chopper, or explosives, as the case may be. The soldiers, of course, I was using a shotgun to clear them, moving bunker to bunker - sprinting fast helps dodge them, and then grabbing hold, locking on and popping missiles. It doesnt seem to be particularly difficult for me. Might have to revisit it and try and get you a solid strat which works 100% of the time...