Metal Gear 2... The Original

2005-06-12 03:05:05 pm

Killer Chobocos don't get any chocolate.

I recently got my hands on an MSX-2 in full working order... and it came with Metal Gear 1 and 2 and a few games I've never heard of before

Wow does Metal Gear 2 rule.... anyone got a speedrun strategy.... I get REALLY slowed down doing the Heat Key and Owl's Luck chapters (so I've dubbed)...any ideas... ending frame would be the last frame of the VRAM 01K scene I think

Thread title:

elbryan42

Edit history:

elbryan42: 2005-06-12 04:34:00 pm

2005-06-12 04:14:43 pm

It's been a while, but I wrote that huge FAQ for MG2, so I could probably figure it out. I'm off to work, but I'll try to figure out what I can today.

About the Owl's Luck thing. What do you mean? If I remember correctly, the same egg always holds the owl and the same egg always holds the snake. If you mean waiting for the owl to hoot, you got me. I think that's random.

BTW, SWEET find with a working MSX2 with MG1 and 2! I would kill for that. Smiley

[edit] Haven't checked it out yet, but if memory serves, you need to only heat up the key if you want the cassette from Natasha's locker. But if you have plenty of rations (not the ones you need to neutralize the acid), you can run right past the guards and pick up that hang glider.

And the whole egg thing, my FAQ unfortunately doesn't state which egg is which, but I'm pretty sure I remember that they're not random. Too bad you can't speed up the incubation period. :|

And too bad that the rules are against using any save/load warping glitch, since that can save a lot of time getting back to elevators. :|

Also worth mentioning is that there's a Twingalaxies emulator speedrun for MG2 already. You can watch that for some tips.

As well, there's a quick spoiler free walkthrough in my FAQ that you can use as a guide about the fastest way. But the walkthrough has you picking up all items, which most can be bypassed.

In any case, good luck. Smiley

It's been a while, but I wrote that huge FAQ for MG2, so I could probably figure it out. I'm off to work, but I'll try to figure out what I can today.

About the Owl's Luck thing. What do you mean? If I remember correctly, the same egg always holds the owl and the same egg always holds the snake. If you mean waiting for the owl to hoot, you got me. I think that's random.

BTW, SWEET find with a working MSX2 with MG1 and 2! I would kill for that. :)

[edit] Haven't checked it out yet, but if memory serves, you need to only heat up the key if you want the cassette from Natasha's locker. But if you have plenty of rations (not the ones you need to neutralize the acid), you can run right past the guards and pick up that hang glider.

And the whole egg thing, my FAQ unfortunately doesn't state which egg is which, but I'm pretty sure I remember that they're not random. Too bad you can't speed up the incubation period. :|

And too bad that the rules are against using any save/load warping glitch, since that can save a lot of time getting back to elevators. :|

Also worth mentioning is that there's a Twingalaxies emulator speedrun for MG2 already. You can watch that for some tips.

As well, there's a quick spoiler free walkthrough in my FAQ that you can use as a guide about the fastest way. But the walkthrough has you picking up all items, which most can be bypassed.

In any case, good luck. :)

thagen

Edit history:

thagen: 2005-06-12 09:58:48 pm

2005-06-12 09:58:03 pm

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Ah, finally some discussion about the MSX Metal Gears. I actually did emulator runs of both last summer. You can find them here:

http://home.tiscali.no/thagen0/mg.speedrun-by.thagen.torrent

http://home.tiscali.no/thagen0/mg2ss.speedrun-by.thagen.torrent

Yeah, i only have them available on bittorrent and i'm usually the only one seeding. So don't expect great speeds, but the files are not big, so with some patience you'll have them downloaded eventually.

They're not "true" speed runs and probably won't be accepted by the hardcore speed runners. They're not a show off of skill either, since i used a lot of save states. Their purpose is really just to be entertaining videos of beating the game, with the fastest possible route and picking up only what you need. I also made an effort avoiding guards, since this is a Metal Gear game which has always been about stealth. I go through both games without any alerts, except for the times when you get alerts automatically. Also, punching guards to death is considered a stealth kill, so that's what i did when i needed to dispose of guards. I used weapons as little as possible.

This is how i wanted to do it, being a game based on stealth and all. I didn't care if it made the run longer. It doesn't slow me down that much though, since i obviously tried to find the fastest ways to accomplish this, and it is still a speed run only with some limitations i made. My time for MG1 is 33:50 and MG2, which is a lot longer with all the backtracking, is 1:29:16. Yes, it's that long. Not really that fun to speed run or watch, since there's so much backtracking and waiting around for certain events. But fans of the game should enjoy it, i've gotten a lot of positive feedback for both runs.

Both runs can probably be improved by several minutes, especially the MG2 run since i practically did the planning on the go, and there are some things i could have done differently, like not picking up as many items as i did. But they're still solid runs. And anyone that doesn't use the same limitiations i did, will obviously beat the times, but as you've probably figured by now, i didn't do this for the competition. Anyway, enjoy the runs. =]

Quote:

[edit]Haven't checked it out yet, but if memory serves, you need to only heat up the key if you want the cassette from Natasha's locker. But if you have plenty of rations (not the ones you need to neutralize the acid), you can run right past the guards and pick up that hang glider.

Yeah, getting the cassette is really not necessary. The guards before the hang glider are actually all dummies except for one at the end, which can easily be taken out with a grenade without sounding alerts or anything.

Quote:

And the whole egg thing, my FAQ unfortunately doesn't state which egg is which, but I'm pretty sure I remember that they're not random. Too bad you can't speed up the incubation period. :|

Yeah, they're not random, and as far as i know there's no way to speed up the incubation, which involves a lot of waiting.

Quote:

Also worth mentioning is that there's a Twingalaxies emulator speedrun for MG2 already. You can watch that for some tips.

Really? Do you have the link?

Ah, finally some discussion about the MSX Metal Gears. I actually did emulator runs of both last summer. You can find them here:

http://home.tiscali.no/thagen0/mg.speedrun-by.thagen.torrent

http://home.tiscali.no/thagen0/mg2ss.speedrun-by.thagen.torrent

Yeah, i only have them available on bittorrent and i'm usually the only one seeding. So don't expect great speeds, but the files are not big, so with some patience you'll have them downloaded eventually.

They're not "true" speed runs and probably won't be accepted by the hardcore speed runners. They're not a show off of skill either, since i used a lot of save states. Their purpose is really just to be entertaining videos of beating the game, with the fastest possible route and picking up only what you need. I also made an effort avoiding guards, since this is a Metal Gear game which has always been about stealth. I go through both games without any alerts, except for the times when you get alerts automatically. Also, punching guards to death is considered a stealth kill, so that's what i did when i needed to dispose of guards. I used weapons as little as possible.

This is how i wanted to do it, being a game based on stealth and all. I didn't care if it made the run longer. It doesn't slow me down that much though, since i obviously tried to find the fastest ways to accomplish this, and it is still a speed run only with some limitations i made. My time for MG1 is 33:50 and MG2, which is a lot longer with all the backtracking, is 1:29:16. Yes, it's that long. Not really that fun to speed run or watch, since there's so much backtracking and waiting around for certain events. But fans of the game should enjoy it, i've gotten a lot of positive feedback for both runs.

Both runs can probably be improved by several minutes, especially the MG2 run since i practically did the planning on the go, and there are some things i could have done differently, like not picking up as many items as i did. But they're still solid runs. And anyone that doesn't use the same limitiations i did, will obviously beat the times, but as you've probably figured by now, i didn't do this for the competition. Anyway, enjoy the runs. =]

[quote][edit]Haven't checked it out yet, but if memory serves, you need to only heat up the key if you want the cassette from Natasha's locker. But if you have plenty of rations (not the ones you need to neutralize the acid), you can run right past the guards and pick up that hang glider.[/quote]
Yeah, getting the cassette is really not necessary. The guards before the hang glider are actually all dummies except for one at the end, which can easily be taken out with a grenade without sounding alerts or anything.

[quote]And the whole egg thing, my FAQ unfortunately doesn't state which egg is which, but I'm pretty sure I remember that they're not random. Too bad you can't speed up the incubation period. :|[/quote]
Yeah, they're not random, and as far as i know there's no way to speed up the incubation, which involves a lot of waiting.

[quote]Also worth mentioning is that there's a Twingalaxies emulator speedrun for MG2 already. You can watch that for some tips.[/quote]
Really? Do you have the link?

elbryan42

Edit history:

elbryan42: 2005-06-13 02:10:25 am

2005-06-13 02:06:27 am

I downloaded that TG run over a year ago. I lost all of my bookmarks, sorry. Sad

I'll look for it on disc for you, but no promises, as the reason why I have a new computer is because my old one completely died, bookmarks, files, and all. :|

I'll check out your run though. Seeing a run without alerts would be nice. Wink

A side note. Since the actual MSX2 cart/disk (not sure which it is) is Japanese only I don't think it would be as fun. Is there a way of making the translated rom into a readable MSX2 media and play it on an actual MSX2? That would be too cool. Also, how would you go about recording an MSX2 run? Is there a video out or something?

Lokarin

2005-06-13 02:12:39 pm

Killer Chobocos don't get any chocolate.

Ya... um, I couldn't get a Coaxial cable to work... so I think I might need a serial connection to the "RS 232" according to the emulator... the serial connects to my computer for Capture recording, hopefully (may need to custom order the piece)

Ingeniously: I could hook up my printer to the game and use the preview window as a recording method... maybe not

Ya, I had to use an Emulator to, well... Actually read what I was doing... Which was tough cuz on the Emulator Metal Gear D is all in HyperActive mode (I got a good strat for fighting it though)

And by Owl's Luck... I was refering to a Chapter note in an old FAQ, that refers to the time it takes for the Owl to Hoot... (because it starts/stops/resets in different screens)... still don't know yet how it works...

saxman52

2005-06-25 05:50:57 am

Just a quick note: I read in PSM that the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake are going to be ported to MGS3: Subsistence. They will be slightly tweaked graphically and there will be new English translations for both games.

Dybdal

2005-07-03 07:09:34 pm

Im Addicted to Games

any updates on this run?

elbryan42

2005-07-03 07:43:46 pm

Quote:

Just a quick note: I read in PSM that the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake are going to be ported to MGS3: Subsistence. They will be slightly tweaked graphically and there will be new English translations for both games.

Since Ghost Babel used some of MG2's graphics and ideas, maybe Hideo will implement the Snake character model from Ghost Babel. Along with being able to hug walls and scroll the screen. It would beat the slow moving snake in MG2 (though that would still be fine by me).

Shinobi71

2006-06-09 11:13:23 pm

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Hello Everyone

i'm looking everwhere for Msx Metal gear 1 and Metal Gear 2 speedruns . torrents..
but the speedruns from thagen are not online anymore.

I hope some one can upload them..
and let me know.
THX in advance..

supaelvis

2006-09-06 10:37:21 am

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

I'm looking for MSX MG & MG2 videos too..

blackrave

Edit history:

blackrave: 2006-12-21 03:30:46 am

2006-12-21 03:24:06 am

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Sorry for bumping up this old thread, but it's a little important for me.

I have both speedruns on my harddisk if anyone is still interested (I'll see what I can do if anyone is).

There are two dead torrents at The Pirate Bay:
(MG2 Speedrun and MG Speedrun)

Does anyone know where thagen took off? He used to run an IRC channel at Undernet named #metalgear, then he disappeared into the air ...

thagen, if you're reading this, please contact me. Both I and Michael (mruecker) are looking for you.

blackrave

Lokarin

2006-12-24 01:44:21 am

Killer Chobocos don't get any chocolate.

I was just thinking about picking this run up again...

but, alas, my MSX won't work anymore...

Brazilianjoker

2012-11-13 11:33:38 am

Hey, sorry to bump this thread, but I'm really interested in watching these 2 runs that thagen made. If he, or someone still shave them in the the HD, please tell me, I'm really looking up for them! Thanks!

Brzilianjoker

2013-05-16 04:44:38 pm

So...

Anyone?

thagen

2014-01-27 08:52:27 am

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Back from the dead to help a Brazilian Joker out. The runs are on youtube now, someone was kind enough to post them after finding them on a Japanese youtube-esque site.

MG1:

MG2:SS:

dunnius

2014-01-30 07:22:20 pm

Intruding N313 and F014

Adding to the videos, here is my Test TAS of MG1 (in 27:38.7) which abuses alerts and glitches:

Even though I have not yet played MG2, there may be glitches exclusive to the original MSX hardware like there is with MG1, so the original MSX is likely preferred. If I can ever get an MSX, I would definitely like to speedrun MG1.