Legend of Mana

Sir VG

Edit history:

Sir VG: 2013-04-23 02:49:37 am

Sir VG: 2010-02-07 02:00:07 am

2005-08-26 08:39:19 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Yes, I'm back!

I first mentioned finishing this way back in April and I know a few of you are wondering what the heck happened to the run. First off, being that it was recorded in SLP, I'm sure Radix would have hated it. Second, back in the old thread, I mentioned a couple of really stupid mistakes I made that looking back at the tape again looked really pitiful. And last, the tape got eaten by the VCR, so I decided to start over.

The tape was good enough to look back over the run and redocument everything (since I lost all my original notes). I finally had a few days off from work (things just kinda picked up between my full-time job and my side business) so I sat down and did it.

Thanks to my brand spanking new tapes, I pulled together a great run of about 3 hrs 30 minutes, faster then my last run by a couple minutes or so. I made like 2 minor flubs, but nothing major. I'm happy with it.

And yes, I promise to send it in, barring that God floods the tapes between now and then.

Question is...should I really send in my documentation on this thing? It looks like a short novel. >_>;;

Thread title:

Yes, I'm back!

I first mentioned finishing this way back in April and I know a few of you are wondering what the heck happened to the run.  First off, being that it was recorded in SLP, I'm sure Radix would have hated it.  Second, back in the old thread, I mentioned a couple of really stupid mistakes I made that looking back at the tape again looked really pitiful.  And last, the tape got eaten by the VCR, so I decided to start over.

The tape was good enough to look back over the run and redocument everything (since I lost all my original notes).  I finally had a few days off from work (things just kinda picked up between my full-time job and my side business) so I sat down and did it.

Thanks to my brand spanking new tapes, I pulled together a great run of about 3 hrs 30 minutes, faster then my last run by a couple minutes or so.  I made like 2 minor flubs, but nothing major.  I'm happy with it.

And yes, I promise to send it in, barring that God floods the tapes between now and then.

Question is...should I really send in my documentation on this thing?  It looks like a short novel. >_>;;

Enhasa

2005-08-29 06:36:27 am

everybody wanna tell you the meaning of music

Quote:

Question is...should I really send in my documentation on this thing? It looks like a short novel. >_>;;

Trust me, however long your "novel" is, there have been much worse in the past.

About LoM, yay I guess, I just personally haven't liked anything in the series past SD3. I'm sure others disagree.

Rat

2005-08-30 07:54:33 am

LoM speedrun? While it sounds nifty, were you going for pure speed, or did you stop to get other things or level up along the way? I'm asking because 3+ hours sounds like a bit much for a speed run of this game, but I'm rusty on how long new-game playthroughs of it take, myself.

I'm guessing you went for the 2H sword set-up, or took some extra time to forge a strong set of armor loaded up with Bed of Thorns for more defense and loads of Constitution? Yeah, I've got a lot of questions about this. ^^; Anyways, good for you for running this.

Sir VG

2005-08-31 09:14:10 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

To answer questions:

Weapons: 1H sword, and I mostly used the default. I made one purchase and two other equipment changes. I learned two abilities and 1 tech attack. Final Level: 28. I laid out the minimum lands needed and did as few quests as I could.

While not an official time, I did a rough timing. Here's what I calculated (all from selecting "New Game"):

To Final Hit: 3:17
To Final Button press: 3:18
To FIN: 3:27

I did the Elazul/Pearl story since it's the best story (IMO) and I feel based upon quests, the quickest.

I'm sending the stuff off today to Nate and re-typing my documentation. First it felt too long and vague and now it's too short and vague. -_-;;

As for it's length, I don't think LOM can be done in under 3 hrs unless you're doing a normal game and have a very high level. And I don't think that would make for a good speedrun.

Now somebody trying a "Nightmare" mode speedrun would be interesting, but unfortunately dragged out being that every single enemy is at Lv 99. Given the amount of time needed to beat a single battle, it wouldn't be done in under 7 hrs.

I might try runs later of the other two major stories and do them as well. It'll take a while to lay them out and plan the perfect route and such...so it won't get done soon. ^_^;;

To answer questions:

Weapons: 1H sword, and I mostly used the default.  I made one purchase and two other equipment changes.  I learned two abilities and 1 tech attack.  Final Level: 28.  I laid out the minimum lands needed and did as few quests as I could.

While not an official time, I did a rough timing.  Here's what I calculated (all from selecting "New Game"):

To Final Hit: 3:17
To Final Button press: 3:18
To FIN: 3:27

I did the Elazul/Pearl story since it's the best story (IMO) and I feel based upon quests, the quickest.

I'm sending the stuff off today to Nate and re-typing my documentation.  First it felt too long and vague and now it's too short and vague. -_-;;

As for it's length, I don't think LOM can be done in under 3 hrs unless you're doing a normal game and have a very high level.  And I don't think that would make for a good speedrun.

Now somebody trying a "Nightmare" mode speedrun would be interesting, but unfortunately dragged out being that every single enemy is at Lv 99.  Given the amount of time needed to beat a single battle, it wouldn't be done in under 7 hrs.

I might try runs later of the other two major stories and do them as well.  It'll take a while to lay them out and plan the perfect route and such...so it won't get done soon. ^_^;;

Sir VG

2005-09-19 10:48:49 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

I see the run is on the "needs validation" list. Somebody please pick it up...you won't be disappointed with the run, trust me.

ventuz

2005-09-20 12:03:12 am

Null

I would really love to see the run. I had played LoM not too long ago (say 3 month's). But I can't really say that I am qualified to be veritifier for it because I am a Deaf guy* and and recently signed up account to speak about this LoM game here.

*I do have Hearing Aid, but I don't really 'detecting' any slight change in sound or something like that very much.

-Suzaku-

2005-09-20 12:59:07 am

Eternal Understudy

if the run is still there when I get home next week, then I can take the time to verify it, but I'm not sure if I've been around long enough for Radix to consider me verifier material.

Psychochild

2005-09-20 01:08:50 am

Just to give a heads up, the Verifier should be familiar with the Pearl/Juni storyline. It's the one that goes through "The Lost Princess," "Lucky Clover," "The Looking Glass Tower," "Fluorite," "Alexandrite," "Cosmo," "Two Pearls," and "The Teardrop Crystal" quests. The audio and visual quality are already confirmed to be good.

Sir VG

2005-09-20 08:00:19 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Reading Nate's notes in his blog about the incident was funny. To some runners it would be tragic to lose (or nearly lose) a run due to a tape malfunction. I guess I love LOM so much, I wouldn't mind running it again. (And I probably will do the other 2 storylines at some point and hope that they're all kept as separate stories so you can see all 3 of them from this site).

At least I still have my notes on my computer just in case I had to run it again. And then I could avoid the couple minor flubs I made in the run that was sent to Nate.

Sir VG

2005-09-23 07:10:26 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Quote:

As for it's length, I don't think LOM can be done in under 3 hrs unless you're doing a normal game and have a very high level. And I don't think that would make for a good speedrun.

I'm recalling this statement. The game is possible to beat in under 3 hrs (from start to final blow on the Mana Goddess) if you base your run off the Irwin/Matilda storyline. I hate doing it though, because the ending is so depressing. Doing a rough run, I ended up with like 2:58.

I still want to see all 3 storylines listed separately. Would that be acceptable Radix? Even though this is faster, I LOVE the Jumi storyline much better.

There's still one thing I need to check next time I go through the game. I actually think I calculated high on the # of artifacts needed. I know I can cut one out, and if I can cut 2 out, I can take a mission on on my Irwin path, though it wouldn't matter for the Jumi storyline, as all the non-storyline missions give me an artifact necessary to beat that storyline, so I don't think I can cut much more than maybe a minute or two out, including not making the errors I made. So I won't redo the run for that, but I might make some adjustments in how I'm doing the others.

[quote]As for it's length, I don't think LOM can be done in under 3 hrs unless you're doing a normal game and have a very high level.  And I don't think that would make for a good speedrun. [/quote]

I'm recalling this statement.  The game is possible to beat in under 3 hrs (from start to final blow on the Mana Goddess) if you base your run off the Irwin/Matilda storyline.  I hate doing it though, because the ending is so depressing.  Doing a rough run, I ended up with like 2:58.

I still want to see all 3 storylines listed separately.  Would that be acceptable Radix?  Even though this is faster, I LOVE the Jumi storyline much better.

There's still one thing I need to check next time I go through the game.  I actually think I calculated high on the # of artifacts needed.  I know I can cut one out, and if I can cut 2 out, I can take a mission on on my Irwin path, though it wouldn't matter for the Jumi storyline, as all the non-storyline missions give me an artifact necessary to beat that storyline, so I don't think I can cut much more than maybe a minute or two out, including not making the errors I made.  So I won't redo the run for that, but I might make some adjustments in how I'm doing the others.

Radix

2005-09-23 07:14:11 am

I'm addicted to games

Are the endings different?

Sir VG

2005-09-23 07:46:10 am

Fucking Weeaboo

I still fight the Mana goddess in the end, but there are "endings" to each storyline that are unique.

There are some portions that overlap (like I do a couple of the missions from the Jumi storyline for artifacts), but the majority of the game is different. The same will be true for the 3 Mana Dragons storyline.

Sir VG

2005-09-29 06:47:02 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Thanks to all who've sent comments on this run.

Radix, according to my calculations on my speedrun notes, comparing all 3 storylines I'll only do about 4 missions the same (Niccolo's Business Unusual, The Lost Princess, Huntin' Du'Cate, and The Infernal Doll). The first three are mainly to boost my mana count the fastest, and the last boosts it while being really fricken quick (there's like 3 battles in the entire quest). Well, we still have Cage of Dreams and Legend of Mana, but that's post-storyline cleanup.

Even with pretty much the same artifacts, the layout in all 3 versions are all mostly different. The endings are different, and from what I've been testing, even my levels are different.

I understand that doing some minor differences (including/excluding certain missions) is one thing that shouldn't classify as a separate run, but I feel that because all 3 storylines are drastically different, they should be listed separately. The only thing they have to have in common is the final two missions: Cage of Dreams and Legend of Mana (Cage of Dreams to get the Sword of Mana artifact and Legend of Mana is the final mission to win the game).

Thanks to all who've sent comments on this run.

Radix, according to my calculations on my speedrun notes, comparing all 3 storylines I'll only do about 4 missions the same (Niccolo's Business Unusual, The Lost Princess, Huntin' Du'Cate, and The Infernal Doll).  The first three are mainly to boost my mana count the fastest, and the last boosts it while being really fricken quick (there's like 3 battles in the entire quest).  Well, we still have Cage of Dreams and Legend of Mana, but that's post-storyline cleanup.

Even with pretty much the same artifacts, the layout in all 3 versions are all mostly different.  The endings are different, and from what I've been testing, even my levels are different.

I understand that doing some minor differences (including/excluding certain missions) is one thing that shouldn't classify as a separate run, but I feel that because all 3 storylines are drastically different, they should be listed separately.  The only thing they have to have in common is the final two missions: Cage of Dreams and Legend of Mana (Cage of Dreams to get the Sword of Mana artifact and Legend of Mana is the final mission to win the game).

Sir VG

2005-10-02 11:31:16 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Thank you to everybody who helped capture, validate, and post this speedrun. ^___^

Nate, seriously...I forgive you for butchering up my tape, just don't do it again. Wink

*laughs*

Once I find my PS2 and game again, I'll try the other two quests...

(Moving sucks.)

-Suzaku-

2005-10-03 12:47:26 am

Eternal Understudy

I'm thinking you should probably change your sig, Sir_VG. ^^

Enhasa

2005-10-04 02:39:52 am

everybody wanna tell you the meaning of music

Just wanted to say, great job on your run Sir_VG! Seeing this made me consider planning/doing a SD3 run, although since I am busy and don't exactly have the most initiative, this would go near the bottom of the list. I'd also have to get the cart mailed to me from a friend and memorize everything in the game since it'd be in Japanese and all that nonsense.

Sir VG

Edit history:

Sir VG: 2005-10-04 06:43:53 am

2005-10-04 06:42:52 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Quote:

I'm thinking you should probably change your sig, Sir_VG. ^^

Done.

Quote:

Just wanted to say, great job on your run Sir_VG! Seeing this made me consider planning/doing a SD3 run, although since I am busy and don't exactly have the most initiative, this would go near the bottom of the list. I'd also have to get the cart mailed to me from a friend and memorize everything in the game since it'd be in Japanese and all that nonsense.

I never could finish that game. Go for it man...I wanna see the game from start to finish. The boss battle music kicks. ^^

getter77

2005-10-04 02:39:37 pm

100% runs=great to watch

Legend of Mana run was solid..excellent work.

OT:

SD3 was a great game indeed....I beat it with pretty much ever combination on translated emu some years ago..no tricks and such. Could be hard to speed through though...as your class choices would be PARAMOUNT...and getting the one you want could be quite hard. The weapon and armor system, unfortunately IMO, is pretty much non consequential to anything....so that'd help.

Rat

2005-10-07 02:26:59 am

Nitpicking ahead, feel free to call me on it if I'm wrong, or if you just don't like nitpicking.

I'm watching your Legend of Mana run right now, and I noticed right off that your combos aren't fluid. You freeze after the final hit, which is what happens when you hit the button too many times. If you hit X three times quickly, and wait, your 3-hit combo with the sword will finish with no freezing at the end. There's more advanced comboing you can do with X and Square together without any freezing at the end, plus you can use the directions with Plunge and Thrust attacks. This can save you time, however little it may be overall.

Sorry if you already knew this. It just bothers me because I know many people who have beaten the game, but still freeze cocntantly after improperly done combos.

Sir VG

2005-10-08 06:05:46 am

Fucking Weeaboo

The thing is, I'm NOT comboing. Typically I'm just jamming on the X button (but not too fast to get the 3 slash then pause setup) until I'm near the end of the enemies' life, then hit square which usually does the equiv of 2 x hits, though sometimes my judgement is off.

For those interested in the other 2 storylines, I just finished my recording of the Fairy quest, which went really well, and I'm just about ready to run the Dragon quest, now that I finally figured out how to get through The Flames without suffering a migraine.

Rat

2005-10-08 02:13:12 pm

I did notice some constant one-combo chains in there, even if they were unintentional--the ones where you did the first hit with your weapon repeatedly and quickly enough to get the blue combo blur--great way to make your enemies dizzy. The reason I'm such a combo freak anyways is because it eventually rewards you with candy. And I love free candy.

I'll pay attention to your route through The Flames, that is one bloody friggin' dungeon. I eventually recorded a route through it for my own use, yours is probably shorter and doesn't involve getting all the treasure like mine does. I'm a greedy little treasure hunter. Cheesy

Sir VG

2005-10-09 06:26:44 am

Fucking Weeaboo

I never really attempted combos. Generally all I'm doing is tapping X in a sequence that keeps me doing the 1st and 2nd sword strikes, but staying slow enough that I'm not doing the 3rd, which pauses my character for a second or so. I noticed the "blue streaks" but I never really tried to figure out what they were about. I just through I was "ripping through the enemies with speed". Heh. ^^;;

And yes, The Flames is a bad dungeon with all those trap doors galore. No wonder I always thought it was a long storyline. You could easily spend an hour running through that place. Turns out (from my practice run) it's the shortest!

Nate's gonna wanna kill me after I send him 4 tapes of two more LOM runs when I'm done. ^^;;

Sir VG

Edit history:

Sir VG: 2005-10-11 05:30:07 am

2005-10-10 05:53:00 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Well, I did a record of the Dragons storyline today, but losing to Vadise/Sierra and making the wrong choice (Leave/Stay) during Ghost of Nemesis cost me like a minute, but they look like really ugly errors, especially losing to Vadise/Sierra. I just had some bad positioning with Sierra which screwed everything up. My run through The Flames was awesome though. I'm doing the run over later.

My time for those that are curious: 2:16. Completed at Lv 22.
(My time for the Fairy's storyline was 2:34. Completed at Lv 23.)

-Suzaku-

Edit history:

-Suzaku-: 2005-10-10 06:02:06 am

2005-10-10 06:01:49 am

Eternal Understudy

Congratulations, Sir_VG.
Now, do all the quests in a single segment, I demand it!
I wonder if that's even possible in less than 10 hours :-/

Sir VG

2005-10-10 09:26:08 am

Fucking Weeaboo

All 3 story lines, yes. All 3 runs combined would be about 8 hrs, 10 minutes. If I combined them, you could take off 20 minutes for only having 1 ending, 30 minutes for only one goddess battle, and maybe another 20-40 minutes because I reuse quests...it certainly is possible to do all 3 storylines in under 7.

As for doing all 68 quests single session...I'd probably die doing it. Under 10 hrs probably isn't feasable. But then again, I was wrong about not being able to beat LOM in under 3 hrs and I almost did it in under 2.

I attempted plotting the route, but had one mission that according to calculations wouldn't trigger because it came after Flourite. >_>