Those screens are perfect. They capture the feel of the game and will look great on the page. Can't wait to watch it! Great job Enhasa! You're my hero! 
Oh man, Ico is so beautiful! Now I'm in the mood for playing it again.
SDA Forum
everybody wanna tell you the meaning of music
Thanks guys, for all the support!
I still haven't contacted Radix yet (was busy enjoying my spring break), but I will. I also asked rjpage of Ikaruga and super-play fame, and he said that he would love to host on super-play, so I guess before I mail the tapes I will capture and upload the SS to super-play. The quality won't be as good as Nate's, but it'll be available quicker and you can get the SDA versions when they're ready.
I created an account and asked on the Ico and SotC boards to see if anyone had JP Ico and could time for me, but got nothing. Generally I'm shocked at how every time someone mentions speedrunning elsewhere (like on gamefaqs... also, I've tried sites like RPGamer), it's met with total ambivalence. And it's not like they've got better things to do on gamefaqs. Every other thread is like flamebait or "guess which second you're posting in!"
I did see something useful, and something funny though.
Useful: "I think the European version could be completed in 1 hour and 20 minutes, maybe less even (not by me, but you)" Apparently, this guy discovered a glitch (check codes and secrets on gamefaqs) in the EU version only, that allows you to jump farther and even one block higher, allowing for more sequence breakage. This is in addition to the skipping cutscenes, improved Yorda AI, more aggressive enemy AI, and 2-player mode that the Europeans already get for speed advantages.
Funny: "I finished at around 5 hours the first time, but I have the game worked down to a science now and I've found ways to skip fights and things.. It is possible to complete the game in under 3 hours. 2 hours and 48 minutes is my quickest time, but that was with no screw ups and without getting the secret weapon." The best part was, I posted my time, and then all the people after me kept on posting without even acknowledging me. Maybe they're just trained to ignore newbs.
I still haven't contacted Radix yet (was busy enjoying my spring break), but I will. I also asked rjpage of Ikaruga and super-play fame, and he said that he would love to host on super-play, so I guess before I mail the tapes I will capture and upload the SS to super-play. The quality won't be as good as Nate's, but it'll be available quicker and you can get the SDA versions when they're ready.
I created an account and asked on the Ico and SotC boards to see if anyone had JP Ico and could time for me, but got nothing. Generally I'm shocked at how every time someone mentions speedrunning elsewhere (like on gamefaqs... also, I've tried sites like RPGamer), it's met with total ambivalence. And it's not like they've got better things to do on gamefaqs. Every other thread is like flamebait or "guess which second you're posting in!"
I did see something useful, and something funny though.
Useful: "I think the European version could be completed in 1 hour and 20 minutes, maybe less even (not by me, but you)" Apparently, this guy discovered a glitch (check codes and secrets on gamefaqs) in the EU version only, that allows you to jump farther and even one block higher, allowing for more sequence breakage. This is in addition to the skipping cutscenes, improved Yorda AI, more aggressive enemy AI, and 2-player mode that the Europeans already get for speed advantages.
Funny: "I finished at around 5 hours the first time, but I have the game worked down to a science now and I've found ways to skip fights and things.. It is possible to complete the game in under 3 hours. 2 hours and 48 minutes is my quickest time, but that was with no screw ups and without getting the secret weapon." The best part was, I posted my time, and then all the people after me kept on posting without even acknowledging me. Maybe they're just trained to ignore newbs.
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Wow, what a strange and funny trick, that superjump. I've already discovered one PERFECT place for it. Remember the room where you have to push a box to raise a staircase? It's almost at the beginning of the game. There's another way out of that room, but it normally leads to a bridge that is down. Well, with the superjump, you can jump across and then raise the bridge to bring Yorda across!! Wohoo! You're already at the room where you have to hit the chandelier and blow up a support.
Another place that springs to mind is the windmill. You can probably skip climbing the windmill entirely.
Another place that springs to mind is the windmill. You can probably skip climbing the windmill entirely.
pidgeons
I saw your post on the Gamefaqs Ico board. I'm pretty suprised you didn't get one of the two generic responses:
1: "OMG liar you must hav ch33t'd, I no teh game bttr dan you n mi bst tim iz 3 hrs" note: the word "you" would simply be the letter but Radix has sensibly banned this kind of speak.
2: "What's the point in playing so quickly? You should play slowly to enjoy it properly!" < ignoring the fact that anyone who speedruns a game has already completed it many times.
1: "OMG liar you must hav ch33t'd, I no teh game bttr dan you n mi bst tim iz 3 hrs" note: the word "you" would simply be the letter but Radix has sensibly banned this kind of speak.
2: "What's the point in playing so quickly? You should play slowly to enjoy it properly!" < ignoring the fact that anyone who speedruns a game has already completed it many times.
everybody wanna tell you the meaning of music
To everyone: If it wasn't for the fact that my internet is kinda slow, my connection timed out (so I stopped using vanilla ftp and got filezilla, which has resuming), and then my power went out briefly (this actually just happened)... well, you might have been able to download the SS already. After the transfer finishes, I could set the permissions to world viewable and you could get it straight from the ftp link, but I think rjpage would rather I wait for it to get officially published to super-play. 
Blublu: Wow, that is fucking insane. If you can make that jump, I don't know what you couldn't do. I'm thinking Europeans might be able to approach an hour (segmented) honestly.
Madzombie: I lol'd so hard at #1! Actually it's because I only got the one response to begin with. I would like to think that the average Ico fan is more mature than the average fan of a more popular game, but in reality they were probably all off discussing something like, whether or not the end is a dream sequence. Or arguing over SotC is a sequel, a prequel, or neither, when the answer is already canon. Or other assorted story talk.
Not that we couldn't discuss that here if anyone wanted.
Blublu: Wow, that is fucking insane. If you can make that jump, I don't know what you couldn't do. I'm thinking Europeans might be able to approach an hour (segmented) honestly.
Madzombie: I lol'd so hard at #1! Actually it's because I only got the one response to begin with. I would like to think that the average Ico fan is more mature than the average fan of a more popular game, but in reality they were probably all off discussing something like, whether or not the end is a dream sequence. Or arguing over SotC is a sequel, a prequel, or neither, when the answer is already canon. Or other assorted story talk.
Not that we couldn't discuss that here if anyone wanted.
everybody wanna tell you the meaning of music
Oh yes, of course! I think you guys would like to know.
The SS run (it's actually 1:51) is up at super-play.
The SS run (it's actually 1:51) is up at super-play.
everybody wanna tell you the meaning of music
God, I kinda hate bumping this, but since I posted before without downloadable video and got replies, it stands to reason that people would want to see this. Actually, apparently there's a thread going on in General with people that obviously don't know this thread exists for whatever reason.
Anyway, I find it kind of amusing. I posted links on gamefaqs in the Ico and SotC boards, and I didn't get a single response! Eh, whatever.
Anyway, I find it kind of amusing. I posted links on gamefaqs in the Ico and SotC boards, and I didn't get a single response! Eh, whatever.
Personal Text?
Nice run, but I would suggest encoding with something a little more common like DivX. I never heard of the codec used here before, and its kind of a pain to install software for just one video. Plus, based on the length and filesize and quality of the video, the codec you used doesn't seem to be any better than DivX, in comparison to many of the speed runs I've already gotten from this site.
But like I said, on the plus side, it is a good speed run
But like I said, on the plus side, it is a good speed run
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Anyway, I find it kind of amusing. I posted links on gamefaqs in the Ico and SotC boards, and I didn't get a single response! Eh, whatever.
Well, then you get a comment from me, who only downloaded it to see if Ico was as boring as I had in mind.
Those two major screw-ups must hurt you in your soul.
I wonder if it's faster if you get your sword back for the fight right before the second side tower.
On the route I can't really comment, but it looks like you knew what you were doing.
Oh, and everytime when you tried to pull Yorda up a ledge to skip an ongoing battle and she was too slow and got captured I wanted to shoot her. Is that a common experience?
Personal Text?
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Just install FFDShow, which has support for DivX, XviD, H264, and so much more. Problems solved.
That's what I ended up doing, though I stick to my comment that having to install software for one video is kind of a pain (and I'm anal about keeping my PC in good running order. Installing strange software from 3rd parties isn't usually a great idea).
everybody wanna tell you the meaning of music
Quote:
Nice run, but I would suggest encoding with something a little more common like DivX. I never heard of the codec used here before, and its kind of a pain to install software for just one video. Plus, based on the length and filesize and quality of the video, the codec you used doesn't seem to be any better than DivX, in comparison to many of the speed runs I've already gotten from this site.
Well, I didn't really care about widespread compatibility, since anyone can just get it from SDA later. As for the quality, I captured from VHS tape using RF cable, so it probably looks worse than most anything on this site. Again, I don't really care since the SDA version will be available. You're right, I probably should have made the filesize smaller though.
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Installing strange software from 3rd parties isn't usually a great idea).
ffdshow is trustworthy, but you can uninstall it if you want and use MPlayer for the occasional video you can't watch. It's a standalone player and you don't have to install anything, it doesn't put anything in your registry, etc.
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Well, then you get a comment from me, who only downloaded it to see if Ico was as boring as I had in mind.
Those two major screw-ups must hurt you in your soul.
I wonder if it's faster if you get your sword back for the fight right before the second side tower.
On the route I can't really comment, but it looks like you knew what you were doing.
Oh, and everytime when you tried to pull Yorda up a ledge to skip an ongoing battle and she was too slow and got captured I wanted to shoot her. Is that a common experience?
Those two major screw-ups must hurt you in your soul.
I wonder if it's faster if you get your sword back for the fight right before the second side tower.
On the route I can't really comment, but it looks like you knew what you were doing.
Oh, and everytime when you tried to pull Yorda up a ledge to skip an ongoing battle and she was too slow and got captured I wanted to shoot her. Is that a common experience?
I find it funny that the first real feedback I got is from someone who hasn't played it before.
Did you find it boring? I don't mind what you say. But you probably already know that you can't judge a game from watching a run.
You won't believe. I tried off and on, for another week trying to improve it, and honestly, I captured this just so there would be no turning back and I could leave it behind.
Best case scenario: you skip the fight and fight 0 shadows. Sometimes you can skip the 2nd one, and worst case, you fight both of them. In the worst case, although you go from having to deal 10 hits to 20 hits, since you can corner them and keep on whacking away, I still think it's slightly faster to skip getting the sword back. And of course, if you can skip even 1 shadow, it would definitely be faster.
Thanks! I guess since I've uploaded them, you can get the SS and segmented comments. The segmented has general notes that apply to both of them, btw.
While playing the game normally, no, since most people don't skip the fights normally. While speedrunning, yes. =/ Although of course, this sort of thing doesn't happen in the segmented version.
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If I found it boring you ask... well.
I played the game up to the point at 11 minutes into the video. When the guy whom I borrowed it from told that what I experienced up to that point would be basically what I would would be doing the rest of the game, I dumped it.
As with every adventure game, when you know the whole place it gets a little more interesting to navigate. I think just by watching I have a rough understanding of the place, so the last half hour was quite entertaining.
But face it, the game is a modern version of sokoban. Get your box (Yorda) to the designated point in the room (statues only she can open). Funny to watch nevertheless, and the ending rocks.
Count me in in for the segmented run.
I played the game up to the point at 11 minutes into the video. When the guy whom I borrowed it from told that what I experienced up to that point would be basically what I would would be doing the rest of the game, I dumped it.
As with every adventure game, when you know the whole place it gets a little more interesting to navigate. I think just by watching I have a rough understanding of the place, so the last half hour was quite entertaining.
But face it, the game is a modern version of sokoban. Get your box (Yorda) to the designated point in the room (statues only she can open). Funny to watch nevertheless, and the ending rocks.
Count me in in for the segmented run.
...
I'm thinking about doing a PAL speedrun, since it might actually be a little bit interesting with the superjump and all. However, I'm a little disappointed that this jump is not possible:
You can get enough distance for sure, but it doesn't seem to be possible to grab the ledge on the other side.
Oh well, there are still plenty of other shortcuts. 8)
You can get enough distance for sure, but it doesn't seem to be possible to grab the ledge on the other side.
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Ha, you're revealing your computing background (since you're not Japanese) by mentioning sokoban! I must admit, I've never thought of it that way, but that is quite a humorous comparison.
What makes it even more humorous is that Yorda is as smart as a box.
(Sorry, I really had to
...oh and someone with a perl bug in his sig has to reveal computing background?
...
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What makes it even more humorous is that Yorda is as smart as a box.
Edit: I have on tape a single-segment PAL run. It's the first one I completed and contains only two big mistakes, one costing about 2 minutes and the other costing 7 minutes and 30 sec. I clocked the run at 1:41:59.
Edit: forgot to mention that I also messed up the bomb-throwing FOUR times, wasting another 2 minutes there.
So those mistakes add up to 0:11:30 or thereabouts.
It's definitely possible to get less than 1:40:00. Probably 1:35:00. If everything goes perfectly, a sub 90 minute run is possible. I don't think I'll reach that, but I will try in a little while (I'm currently sick of this game).
The in-game timer ended up at 1:50:05 (it includes the ending cutscene and the beach scene).
...
Sorry about double-posting, but I wanted to add this, and I have a feeling nobody would notice if I just edited my last post again.
I've found a fairly good way of jumping. Remember the times you can jump immediately upon landing? Well, here's how to do it. Just release the control stick while in the air, then press it again in some direction as you land (and press triangle, of course).
Edit: If you have a weapon, you can of course swing it just before landing instead of doing this. Not recommended near walls, though.
Also please note the edit of my last post. Since I did that run, I've found another use of the superjump that skips the "mandatory" fight in the second tower (in the room with the huge button). Oh yeah. This is actually a lot of fun. The PAL version is much easier to speedrun than the NTSC because you can just skip many of the annoying parts, like the "swing across and hold R1 and pray".
I've found a fairly good way of jumping. Remember the times you can jump immediately upon landing? Well, here's how to do it. Just release the control stick while in the air, then press it again in some direction as you land (and press triangle, of course).
Edit: If you have a weapon, you can of course swing it just before landing instead of doing this. Not recommended near walls, though.
Also please note the edit of my last post. Since I did that run, I've found another use of the superjump that skips the "mandatory" fight in the second tower (in the room with the huge button). Oh yeah. This is actually a lot of fun.
...
Guess what, guys. This jump is possible!
It's way too hard to do in a single-segment, though. You have to get the most length possible, and you need to hit it absolutely dead-on. If you go even slightly diagonally, you fall. This jump saves about 20 minutes.
So now I'm much more interested in making a segmented run. I'm currently saved at the main gate at 00:46:26, with both halves of the gate activated.
Edit:
Okay, I completed my segmented run and I have it on tape. I'm pretty happy with it, though it could be better. The in-game time ended at 1:12:26, which includes the credits and everything. In case anyone's interested, here are the times I had at the various save points:
Crane ----------- 0:05:59
Graveyard ------- 0:11:14
Stone Pillar ------ 0:21:16
East Arena ------ 0:31:46
West Idol Stairs - 0:37:26
Main Gate ------- 0:46:26
Final Time ------- 1:12:26
I haven't timed it in real-time yet, but I suspect it to be around 1 hour, possibly slightly under. Actually, I'm going to hold on to this tape for a while and see if I can make a better segmented run. I think I can improve it by at least 1 minute. Then again, maybe I'll leave that to some crazy person who plays this game 24/7 for three weeks to get crazy times.
It's way too hard to do in a single-segment, though. You have to get the most length possible, and you need to hit it absolutely dead-on. If you go even slightly diagonally, you fall. This jump saves about 20 minutes.
So now I'm much more interested in making a segmented run. I'm currently saved at the main gate at 00:46:26, with both halves of the gate activated.
Edit:
Okay, I completed my segmented run and I have it on tape. I'm pretty happy with it, though it could be better. The in-game time ended at 1:12:26, which includes the credits and everything. In case anyone's interested, here are the times I had at the various save points:
Crane ----------- 0:05:59
Graveyard ------- 0:11:14
Stone Pillar ------ 0:21:16
East Arena ------ 0:31:46
West Idol Stairs - 0:37:26
Main Gate ------- 0:46:26
Final Time ------- 1:12:26
I haven't timed it in real-time yet, but I suspect it to be around 1 hour, possibly slightly under. Actually, I'm going to hold on to this tape for a while and see if I can make a better segmented run. I think I can improve it by at least 1 minute. Then again, maybe I'll leave that to some crazy person who plays this game 24/7 for three weeks to get crazy times.