Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Greenalink

Edit history:

Greenalink: 2011-07-12 12:27:56 pm

2011-07-12 11:58:13 am

DS Dictator

I've made a huge improvement on my Mirror's Wake time by a whooping 7 seconds.
So my time is now :
~~38.262~~ 37.126 and is now first on the XBLA leaderboards.

I'll try and get a 36.xxx and I'll be very happy.

brassmaster

2011-07-12 02:20:39 pm

WOW!!! new route/tricks? please tell me you got that recorded.

Greenalink

2011-07-12 02:59:11 pm

DS Dictator

The funny thing is, it's the tougher route but much more polished.
There is still one minor error and it's the part that mostly causes me to retry the level.
I got it recorded too.

brassmaster

2011-07-12 03:09:22 pm

That is AWESOME! cant wait to see it

Greenalink

2011-07-13 08:08:36 am

DS Dictator

http://www.gamefront.com/files/20547075/mirrorwake37_HQ.avi

brassmaster

2011-07-13 09:41:34 am

Nice! I've never been able to get that final jump without the bomb boost. so what is it that you are doing with your grapple? I always thought it was a slip of the finger, but now it seems intentional. I honestly dont think I'll get that time. I felt really good about my 43 seconds and didnt think I could improve it.

Greenalink

Edit history:

Greenalink: 2011-07-13 01:35:24 pm

Greenalink: 2011-07-13 11:52:45 am

Greenalink: 2011-07-13 11:47:30 am

2011-07-13 11:05:30 am

DS Dictator

The grapple adjusts Lara's legs. enabling her to land on a tad higher place. I do this all of the time for the early staircase in Twisting Bridge (getting onto that brownish/grey pillar) and standing on top of the brick wall by the entrance without needing to stand on the red barrel first and throwing a spear. Just throw the spear at the brick wall and then hopefully you can stand on top of it, enabling her to do a jump + damage boost to the roof of the entrance.

At 1:47 of your
"Lara Croft GoL Temple of Light speed run 3:13"
I usually use the grapple to land on that wall much more consistently.

Will update the post to find out any improvements on your IL runs.

----------------------------------------------------

Time to point out minor errors:

Temple of Light

* At the start use the grenade launcher instead of bombs because the bombs have a recharge time and damaging yourself with grenades does not knock her down.

* That pressure switch skip looks different with that new method. Pretty cool.

Temple Grounds

* During the bridge collapsing sequence, you decided to damage boost ahead instead of going to the leftmost bridge, I might be wrong but the jumping onto the left bridge might be faster because you gain full (rolling) speed a bit sooner and you wouldn't get stuck with that fire torch thingy at 1:37

* Cautious damage boost I see across the spikes, I've noticed on one of the comments from an older video that the damage boost distance is tweaked after throwing a spear. Too bad there isn't a moment where you can throw a spear without killing time.

* Bit unfortunate that you've missed that last Sun disk on the first try.

I hope with these improvements you might get 2:55 and lower.

Spider's Tomb:

* When you activate those heavy platforms, mash the A button and Lara climbs up the ladder when the platform is going down.

Forgotten Gate:

* I got a slightly faster time thanks to my consistent method, I still need to upload that as I did for Mirror's Wake

Toxic Swamp

Obviously this one is the toughest levels to get a perfect run, the spiky ball into the flame pit is inconsistent to get perfect and it's even possible to skip the RUN sequence but that requires serious timing that not even pause buffering could save your ass.

Perfecting this without 'reloading saves' is stupidly impossible.

But watching the sequence I didn't know you could activate the last toxic bulbs much sooner. That saves a good amount of time then.

Flooded Passage

* For the grenade launcher switch trick, you can go right next to the edge of the platform and shoot it there (so no jumping is required)

* The golden switch room is done pretty fast and it seems like it's faster than actually skipping it.

* At 1:34 of the video you should have used a grenade launcher and aim at the giant spikes (top right of the picture) and the blast radius should hit the switch, it happened to me before.

* The giant spike ball can be skipped.... only on Co-op though.

Twisting Bridge

* Standing on the red explosive barrel isn't required. From the entrance, just throw a spear at the brick wall (south east) and then from there, jump on the spear and then onto the brick wall (use the grapple hook to gain a tad extra height).

Firey Depths

* No damage boost across the first platforms (the one with the fire traps coming out from the walls)?

* 0:29 you can do a U-Turn jump where if you fall off a ledge you have a small frame window where Lara can perform a mid-air jump to any direction.

* Maybe try and practise with the optimised route on those circle platforms (I know it's hard but it pays off if you master this).

Stronghold Passage

* Maybe aim more accurately 1 second faster.... stages like this gives the PC players a good advantage.

Mirror's Wake

* Cautious route is cautious. But even then I would still use this route for a full game single segment run.

The grapple adjusts Lara's legs. enabling her to land on a tad higher place. I do this all of the time for the early staircase in Twisting Bridge (getting onto that brownish/grey pillar) and standing on top of the brick wall by the entrance without needing to stand on the red barrel first and throwing a spear. Just throw the spear at the brick wall and then hopefully you can stand on top of it, enabling her to do a jump + damage boost to the roof of the entrance.

At 1:47 of your 
"Lara Croft GoL Temple of Light speed run 3:13"
I usually use the grapple to land on that wall much more consistently.

Will update the post to find out any improvements on your IL runs.

----------------------------------------------------

Time to point out minor errors:

[u]Temple of Light[/u]

* At the start use the grenade launcher instead of bombs because the bombs have a recharge time and damaging yourself with grenades does not knock her down.

* That pressure switch skip looks different with that new method. Pretty cool.

[u]Temple Grounds[/u]

* During the bridge collapsing sequence, you decided to damage boost ahead instead of going to the leftmost bridge, I might be wrong but the jumping onto the left bridge might be faster because you gain full (rolling) speed a bit sooner and you wouldn't get stuck with that fire torch thingy at 1:37

* Cautious damage boost I see across the spikes, I've noticed on one of the comments from an older video that the damage boost distance is tweaked after throwing a spear. Too bad there isn't a moment where you can throw a spear without killing time.

* Bit unfortunate that you've missed that last Sun disk on the first try.

I hope with these improvements you might get 2:55 and lower.

[u]Spider's Tomb:[/u]

* When you activate those heavy platforms, mash the A button and Lara climbs up the ladder when the platform is going down.

[u]Forgotten Gate:[/u]

* I got a slightly faster time thanks to my consistent method, I still need to upload that as I did for Mirror's Wake

[u]Toxic Swamp[/u]

Obviously this one is the toughest levels to get a perfect run, the spiky ball into the flame pit is inconsistent to get perfect and it's even possible to skip the RUN sequence but that requires serious timing that not even pause buffering could save your ass.

Perfecting this without 'reloading saves' is stupidly impossible.

But watching the sequence I didn't know you could activate the last toxic bulbs much sooner. That saves a good amount of time then.

[u]Flooded Passage[/u]

* For the grenade launcher switch trick, you can go right next to the edge of the platform and shoot it there (so no jumping is required)

* The golden switch room is done pretty fast and it seems like it's faster than actually skipping it.

* At 1:34 of the video you should have used a grenade launcher and aim at the giant spikes (top right of the picture) and the blast radius should hit the switch, it happened to me before.

* The giant spike ball can be skipped.... only on Co-op though.

[u]Twisting Bridge[/u]

* Standing on the red explosive barrel isn't required. From the entrance, just throw a spear at the brick wall (south east) and then from there, jump on the spear and then onto the brick wall (use the grapple hook to gain a tad extra height).

[u]Firey Depths[/u]

* No damage boost across the first platforms (the one with the fire traps coming out from the walls)?

* 0:29 you can do a U-Turn jump where if you fall off a ledge you have a small frame window where Lara can perform a mid-air jump to any direction.

* Maybe try and practise with the optimised route on those circle platforms (I know it's hard but it pays off if you master this).

[u]Stronghold Passage[/u]

* Maybe aim more accurately 1 second faster.... stages like this gives the PC players a good advantage.

[u]Mirror's Wake[/u]

* Cautious route is cautious. But even then I would still use this route for a full game single segment run.

brassmaster

Edit history:

brassmaster: 2011-07-13 02:00:18 pm

brassmaster: 2011-07-13 01:51:51 pm

brassmaster: 2011-07-13 01:46:48 pm

brassmaster: 2011-07-13 01:44:01 pm

brassmaster: 2011-07-13 01:41:56 pm

2011-07-13 01:37:07 pm

responses

Temple of light

Use a grenade to blowup one of the gears and hop on top while it's rising up? i've tried that several times without much luck, but if you say it really is possible, I'll keep at it.

Which Pressure switch skip are you referring to? I wasn't aware I was using any new tricks in this level

Temple Grounds

I think it really is quicker (not by much) to bomb boost there. but only if you have the right angle of jump and rolls.

You have no idea how much frustration that spike pit caused. I would practice just that for a while and be successful 1 out of every 20 tries or so. I used that method and I dont think it really wastes even a second.

yeah, it happens to the best of us missing something like that sun disk.

Spider tomb

didnt know that, thanks

Forgotten Gate

yeah, I'm still not sure about this new consistent method.

Toxic Swamp

you can skip the "RUN" sequence?

I noticed about activating those last toxic bulbs but just getting to that platform as early as I can and noticed they blew earlier.

Flooded Passage

What!? I've stood by the rail and tried shooting a grenade and it blew up in my face... hmm, I must be doing something wrong.

golden switch room? You mean pulling the piston at 1:00 in? I actually didn't know you can skip that (if that's what you are referring to.)

at 1:34, a grenade blast is wide enough to hit the switch? I used that trick on a DLC level but didn't think about trying it there.

I take it that giant ball can be skipped using that grapple jump trick you discovered?

Twisting Bridge

Good to know, thanks!

Fiery Depths

That's damage boostable without any spears? I can get it with one spear if it's aimed right, but I didn't know a bomb boost can make that jump.

Mirror's Wake

Like I said, I can't reproduce your route with a good time. Especially now with your 37 second run, I'd say submit that once I/We get a full table of good times.

This is also the route I'd use if I can make it there on my full game runs. I'm shooting for deathless, but that's proving to be impossible. I've done it with 3 deaths though... not recorded unfortunately.

responses

[u]Temple of light[/u]

Use a grenade to blowup one of the gears and hop on top while it's rising up?  i've tried that several times without much luck, but if you say it really is possible, I'll keep at it.

Which Pressure switch skip are you referring to?  I wasn't aware I was using any new tricks in this level

[u]Temple Grounds[/u]

I think it really is quicker (not by much) to bomb boost there. but only if you have the right angle of jump and rolls.

You have no idea how much frustration that spike pit caused.  I would practice just that for a while and be successful 1 out of every 20 tries or so.  I used that method and I dont think it really wastes even a second.

yeah, it happens to the best of us missing something like that sun disk.

[u]Spider tomb[/u]

didnt know that, thanks

[u]Forgotten Gate[/u]

yeah, I'm still not sure about this new consistent method.

[u]Toxic Swamp[/u]

you can skip the "RUN" sequence?

I noticed about activating those last toxic bulbs but just getting to that platform as early as I can and noticed they blew earlier.

[u]Flooded Passage[/u]

What!? I've stood by the rail and tried shooting a grenade and it blew up in my face... hmm, I must be doing something wrong.

golden switch room? You mean pulling the piston at 1:00 in?  I actually didn't know you can skip that (if that's what you are referring to.)

at 1:34, a grenade blast is wide enough to hit the switch?  I used that trick on a DLC level but didn't think about trying it there.

I take it that giant ball can be skipped using that grapple jump trick you discovered?

[u]Twisting Bridge[/u]

Good to know, thanks!

[u]Fiery Depths[/u]

That's damage boostable without any spears?  I can get it with one spear if it's aimed right, but I didn't know a bomb boost can make that jump.

[u]Mirror's Wake[/u]

Like I said, I can't reproduce your route with a good time. Especially now with your 37 second run, I'd say submit that once I/We get a full table of good times.

This is also the route I'd use if I can make it there on my full game runs.  I'm shooting for deathless, but that's proving to be impossible.  I've done it with 3 deaths though... not recorded unfortunately.

Greenalink

Edit history:

Greenalink: 2011-07-13 01:51:17 pm

Greenalink: 2011-07-13 01:50:31 pm

Greenalink: 2011-07-13 01:43:29 pm

Greenalink: 2011-07-13 01:41:33 pm

2011-07-13 01:41:06 pm

DS Dictator

Quote:

Use a grenade to blowup one of the gears and hop on top while it's rising up?

I either:
Stand on the gear platforms first then use the grenade launcher (and damage myself) or
aim and hit the gears at the very left half of the machine and them jump on the rising platforms.

Quote:

Which Pressure switch skip are you referring to? I wasn't aware I was using any new tricks in this level

The one with the 2 golden balls.

Oh I forgot to say that I got 0:35:8xx on Mirror's Wake. 100% submitting that IL.

Quote:

you can skip the "RUN" sequence?

Yes, but it's stupidly hard. I couldn't remember if the Relic speed boost is required but trust me, this is harder than anything , 0.01% sucess rate.

brassmaster

Edit history:

brassmaster: 2011-07-13 02:05:01 pm

2011-07-13 02:02:21 pm

WHAT!? I can't believe that Mirror's wake time! yeah, you've got that level for the IL, I'm not even gonna try to match that.

my leaderboard time on toxic swamp is segmented using the route on my youtube playlist, but I'm wondering what time is possible if a perfect ball in fire pit with that ending sequence skipped would result in.

Greenalink

2011-07-13 03:55:36 pm

DS Dictator

Toxic Swamp:
It's even possible to skip the mini cut scene where you are introduced to find out those toxic bulbs act like proximity mines. I need to practise the part where you jump from and land onto because it isn't as easy to remember as the first gate closing cutscene skip.

Quote:

What!? I've stood by the rail and tried shooting a grenade and it blew up in my face... hmm, I must be doing something wrong.

Quote:

golden switch room? You mean pulling the piston at 1:00 in? I actually didn't know you can skip that (if that's what you are referring to.)

Quote:

at 1:34, a grenade blast is wide enough to hit the switch? I used that trick on a DLC level but didn't think about trying it there.

I'll try and record these so you can get a good visual idea.

Quote:

That's damage boostable without any spears? I can get it with one spear if it's aimed right, but I didn't know a bomb boost can make that jump.

I use one spear on that wall, then jump onto it and then jump onto the next platfrom on the left via damage boost (not going up the wall on the right and doing a normal jump afterwards).

Toxic Swamp:
It's even possible to skip the mini cut scene where you are introduced to find out those toxic bulbs act like proximity mines. I need to practise the part where you jump from and land onto because it isn't as easy to remember as the first gate closing cutscene skip.

[quote]What!? I've stood by the rail and tried shooting a grenade and it blew up in my face... hmm, I must be doing something wrong.[/quote]

[quote]golden switch room? You mean pulling the piston at 1:00 in?  I actually didn't know you can skip that (if that's what you are referring to.)[/quote]

[quote]at 1:34, a grenade blast is wide enough to hit the switch?  I used that trick on a DLC level but didn't think about trying it there.[/quote]

I'll try and record these so you can get a good visual idea.

[quote]That's damage boostable without any spears?  I can get it with one spear if it's aimed right, but I didn't know a bomb boost can make that jump.[/quote]

I use one spear on that wall, then jump onto it and then jump onto the next platfrom on the left via damage boost (not going up the wall on the right and doing a normal jump afterwards).

FlamingMage

2011-07-13 07:05:02 pm

I know this was semi-settled a page ago, but I can confirm that if you have some segments in different aspect ratios you can still submit them, assuming they all pass the basic quality guidelines.

brassmaster

Edit history:

brassmaster: 2011-07-13 10:41:24 pm

2011-07-13 10:40:48 pm

FlamingMage - Thanks for the confirmation on that. My videos are on a playlist that I linked earlier. some are in 4:3 while others are in 16:9.

Greenalink - did some testing on your comments.

Using the grenade at the start of the first level can save maybe a second if used optimally (that second being the time waiting for the bomb to "recharge"), but I must admit it certainly looks cooler.

that room with the 2 balls and switches - I was told by Slinky on XBL that you can jump on that pillar, but the rest I did on my own (originally threw another spear to get over the invisible wall, but found a bomb boost works better). BUT, now with the knowledge of that grapple trick, you can use that twice, one to get on the pillar easier and again to get over that invisible wall (although that seems to test the limits of that trick)

I got both the grenade tricks on Flooded Passage to work, but the first one seems like I need to have a more precise aim then I do with the method I used.

Got the twisting bridge on my first shot! I think I can beat Khaled's time with that trick added and segmenting.

For the start of Fiery depths, I still think it is faster by throwing a spear to the center of the wall then jumping imediately to the other platform (about the same speed as a well timed grapple). I haven't been able to get a good bomb boost.

For the U-Turn jump, I can't seem to get it.

That circle platform route is a pain in the ass. Just look at my attempts at it from JRDQ. I really should have come up with a backup route (like the one I now use).

I got that opening toxic swamp toxic bulb cutscene skip by bomb boosting from behind the pillar to behind the left bulb that blows up in that cutscene. maybe you have another idea/method?

FlamingMage - Thanks for the confirmation on that.  My videos are on a playlist that I linked earlier.  some are in 4:3 while others are in 16:9.

Greenalink - did some testing on your comments.

Using the grenade at the start of the first level can save maybe a second if used optimally (that second being the time waiting for the bomb to "recharge"), but I must admit it certainly looks cooler.

that room with the 2 balls and switches - I was told by Slinky on XBL that you can jump on that pillar, but the rest I did on my own (originally threw another spear to get over the invisible wall, but found a bomb boost works better). BUT, now with the knowledge of that grapple trick, you can use that twice, one to get on the pillar easier and again to get over that invisible wall (although that seems to test the limits of that trick)

I got both the grenade tricks on Flooded Passage to work, but the first one seems like I need to have a more precise aim then I do with the method I used.

Got the twisting bridge on my first shot! I think I can beat Khaled's time with that trick added and segmenting.

For the start of Fiery depths, I still think it is faster by throwing a spear to the center of the wall then jumping imediately to the other platform (about the same speed as a well timed grapple).  I haven't been able to get a good bomb boost.

For the U-Turn jump, I can't seem to get it.

That circle platform route is a pain in the ass. Just look at my attempts at it from JRDQ.  I really should have come up with a backup route (like the one I now use).

I got that opening toxic swamp toxic bulb cutscene skip by bomb boosting from behind the pillar to behind the left bulb that blows up in that cutscene.  maybe you have another idea/method?

brassmaster

Edit history:

brassmaster: 2011-07-17 09:43:28 am

2011-07-17 09:37:52 am

I figured out that new Forgotten Gate route for the gate skip, and segmented the level to get a new record for it. Check the picture attached. Also, did some testing for the IL table and I think 1:17 or 1:16 might be possible.

EDIT: Actual Time is 1:10.031, so 1:09 is possible segmented

Attachment:

IMG_0111.JPG

brassmaster

2011-07-17 09:56:11 am

Woot! got 1:09.393

Greenalink

Edit history:

Greenalink: 2011-10-03 11:33:20 am

Greenalink: 2011-10-03 11:33:06 am

Greenalink: 2011-10-03 11:32:52 am

Greenalink: 2011-10-03 11:32:32 am

Greenalink: 2011-10-03 11:32:11 am

2011-10-03 11:31:41 am

DS Dictator

New Co-op only sequence break.

brassmaster

2011-10-10 11:56:04 am

If done perfectly, how much time do you think that would save? Also, sorry for no updates from me. I've been working with YoukaiDragoon on Gears of War, plus I have a new recording device, so I'll get back to this at some point in the near future.

Greenalink

2011-10-20 04:45:13 am

DS Dictator

Quote:

If done perfectly, how much time do you think that would save?

Probably 55 seconds at the most on the first boss fight skip.

One of them involves a timed death warp, if one player dies and is set to press any button to respawn, the other player needs to fall down, die and the first player needs to press any button at the right time. Doing so the other player gain control for a few seconds, hopefully hitting a checkpoint. If so you saved a good amount of seconds ~30-40. However you need to activate at least 1 bridge switch otherwise it's (nearly?) impossible to reach to the bridge, even with the infinite jump trick.

The second clip, shows off Lara's Backflip glitch, where if you backflip towards certain walls, there is a chance that you can fall through and die. With Totec as the an assist to grab the hook from Lara, she can climb down and skip the 2nd area of the stage, saves ~20-30 seconds. This trick does not work on Kain & Lynch + Raziel & Kain character skins because the 'skinny' player cannot perform a backflip, other than a backdash like jump.

This is the last youtube upload because tomorrow I am moving in to a bigger house, this means I am likely to not have any access on the internet for a while.

[quote]If done perfectly, how much time do you think that would save? [/quote]
Probably 55 seconds at the most on the first boss fight skip.

One of them involves a timed death warp, if one player dies and is set to press any button to respawn, the other player needs to fall down, die and the first player needs to press any button at the right time. Doing so the other player gain control for a few seconds, hopefully hitting a checkpoint. If so you saved a good amount of seconds ~30-40. However you need to activate at least 1 bridge switch otherwise it's (nearly?) impossible to reach to the bridge, even with the infinite jump trick.

The second clip, shows off Lara's Backflip glitch, where if you backflip towards certain walls, there is a chance that you can fall through and die. With Totec as the an assist to grab the hook from Lara, she can climb down and skip the 2nd area of the stage, saves ~20-30 seconds. This trick does not work on Kain & Lynch + Raziel & Kain character skins because the 'skinny' player cannot perform a backflip, other than a backdash like jump.

This is the last youtube upload because tomorrow I am moving in to a bigger house, this means I am likely to not have any access on the internet for a while.

brassmaster

2012-01-16 10:18:10 pm

hey guys, it certainly has been a while since I've done anything in terms of running this game. I decided to do a little experiment and see what a "segmented" level would look like. Here's the link.

Greenalink

2012-01-17 04:16:33 pm

DS Dictator

Even though some of the splits might look messy, at the same time as a viewer I can tell it's a segmented run.
The WR Mirror's Wake route does not hit any checkpoints, so in other words it was done in 1 segment!

brassmaster

2012-01-19 07:54:23 pm

I still can't believe you got 35 on that... that's just crazy.

In doing that segmented run test, I think it proves that if you segment, you save time. The length of the run from Laura's first movement to the end is well over 1:10 (1:17 from my count on my video).

What's you opinion on me doing the whole game? Mirrors wake, summoning, and Belly of the beast are excluded.

Greenalink

2012-01-20 01:45:04 pm

DS Dictator

You are pretty much dominating the leaderboards and some of the times are very tight segmented ones like the 1st and 3rd boss stages.
But as a 'full game' run we can only find out the milliseconds if you beat your personal best, which can be a bit awkward after completing the last section of each stage countless amount of times.

It's pretty similar for IL runs, as in single stage runs with no 'checkpoint reloading from menu'. Stages like Belly of the Beast is nearly TAS'd optimised, so every time we get a 15 seconds on that stage, it's a good idea to check on the leaderboards.

The IL runs & Segmented runs of Belly of the beast & The Summoning will be really similar.

The segmented run is the only possible opportunity to show the RUN sequence skip on Toxic Swamp.

So in other words, go ahead. But if I was verifying the times, segmented runs of each stage will be done in minutes and seconds, no milliseconds.

brassmaster

2012-01-20 08:24:32 pm

I would not be so high up on the leaderboards if it weren't for a handful of people that helped out.

Well, i was thinking about doing a full game segmented, which would be different then an IL table. 3 levels would be the same due to no checkpoints in them. I think we had agreed on it before, that no milliseconds would be counted, so my goal would be to get the same second as the record.

You mentioned skipping that "RUN" sequence at the end of Toxic Swamp before. Were you able to repeat it and/or explain it? If I do a full game segmented, I'd like to incorporate that into it if you don't mind sharing.

Greenalink

2012-01-28 07:02:55 am

DS Dictator

http://www.gamefront.com/files/21248223/GoLRUNSKIP_HQ.mp4

I notice on this clip that:

I am powered up with a full meter and I start to run/roll towards the gate after moving halfway through the pressure switch.

brassmaster

2012-02-01 12:55:54 pm

Yeah, with the full meter I was able to get to the other side of the door, but got stuck. I did this quite a number of times but could not end the level this way. I couldn't get stuck in the door without the full meter. I'm wondering if this could have been patched. I dont remember when the latest patch was, but do you think that's possible based on when you did it?