No One Lives Forever (1+2)

Edit history:

HidoiMidoriRyuu: 2006-10-17 11:46:37 pm

2005-11-08 11:42:09 pm

4NT

Since my main comp is still lacking a mainboard and seeing as that is limiting my ability to record speedruns I might as well start this topic. I know that the request was for NOLF2, however I think that both should be ran.

I have made a test run through NOLF1 just to see how it works. I have no times, though.

As for NOLF2 I have started a test run. This far I have completed chapters 1 and 2. Times are (approx):
Chapter 1: 4:00 (1:00/3:00)
Chapter 2: 3:00

Difficulty will be Normal. I tried Hard on NOLF2, but was quickly cut down by the sexy female ninjas. (Damn they are fast...) I will make the runs segmented. I think that the best way is to make it one segment/chapter.

As for NOLF2 there is a skill system. The best skill to go for should be Gadgets to decrease the time needed to use all such items. And then Stamina/Weapons to survive longer/take down enemies faster. Or what do you think? I'm very much open to suggestions. And if anyone knows of any tricks/glitches to save speed then tell me. And I wont get mad if anyone else wants to run, as when I get a new mainboard I will resume my GGA run and do a second Strife run before I start with NOLF. I still should be able to help out with finding tricks, though.

Will resume testing of NOLF2 after I have gotten some sleep.

Thread title:

Since my main comp is still lacking a mainboard and seeing as that is limiting my ability to record speedruns I might as well start this topic. I know that the request was for NOLF2, however I think that both should be ran.

I have made a test run through NOLF1 just to see how it works. I have no times, though.

As for NOLF2 I have started a test run. This far I have completed chapters 1 and 2. Times are (approx):
Chapter 1: 4:00 (1:00/3:00)
Chapter 2: 3:00

Difficulty will be Normal. I tried Hard on NOLF2, but was quickly cut down by the sexy female ninjas. (Damn they are fast...) I will make the runs segmented. I think that the best way is to make it one segment/chapter.

As for NOLF2 there is a skill system. The best skill to go for should be Gadgets to decrease the time needed to use all such items. And then Stamina/Weapons to survive longer/take down enemies faster. Or what do you think? I'm very much open to suggestions. And if anyone knows of any tricks/glitches to save speed then tell me. And I wont get mad if anyone else wants to run, as when I get a new mainboard I will resume my GGA run and do a second Strife run before I start with NOLF. I still should be able to help out with finding tricks, though.

Will resume testing of NOLF2 after I have gotten some sleep.

Serious_Cacodemon

2005-11-09 12:00:34 am

Obey the Daleks or be Exterminated! Riiiiiiight...

Good luck with your runs through both games. Be careful of some levels in NOLF 2, since there will be enemies that keep coming out, and also a level which relies on not being detected so you can plant a bug somewhere.

Also, in NOLF 1, if you skip the scene between Cate and Magnus, you go directly to the fight with Magnus instead of having to insult Magnus, well at least it was like that in the PC version I have.

Psychochild

2005-11-09 12:30:03 am

Gadgets should be the first things you go for, I agree. However, Stamina is not really all that useful. It shouldn't be a primary stat all in all. I'd get gadgets up a bit, maybe two levels and from there focus on Markmenship and Weaponry.

I believe that armor is actually the better health related stat than stamina since you get a better return on damage than stamina.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2005-11-14 10:48:40 pm

4NT

Played NOLF2 some more and completed chapters 3-7. Times are:
3. 21:30
4. 11:00
5. 10:00
6. 8:40
7: 9:50

Chapter 3 is quite large. I do not know if it is faster to leave the snowmobile outside the comms tower or take it over the barricade. I have not found a way to get it out yet, so I think it's faster to leave it.

Chapter 4 is quite annoying due to the huge numbers of guards everywhere. Also, if they see you they'll raise the alarm causing an endless supply of guards to come. I plant explosives on the door for quick escape in chapter 5.

Chapter 5 is just to get out of there, fighting through even more guards. And due to the accuracy of the guards I have to stop and take out most of them while on the snowmobile. *sigh*

Chapter 6 isn't that special. The only annoyance is when you have to fight off a lot of ninjas.

Chapter 7 is not that hard when you know what to do. The Wanted part is very boring, though since you have to be near the police putting up flyers for him to actually put them up.

The skills I'm going for are Gadgets, Weapons, Marksmanship and Armor.

Played NOLF2 some more and completed chapters 3-7. Times are:
3. 21:30
4. 11:00
5. 10:00
6. 8:40
7: 9:50

Chapter 3 is quite large. I do not know if it is faster to leave the snowmobile outside the comms tower or take it over the barricade. I have not found a way to get it out yet, so I think it's faster to leave it.

Chapter 4 is quite annoying due to the huge numbers of guards everywhere. Also, if they see you they'll raise the alarm causing an endless supply of guards to come. I plant explosives on the door for quick escape in chapter 5.

Chapter 5 is just to get out of there, fighting through even more guards. And due to the accuracy of the guards I have to stop and take out most of them while on the snowmobile. *sigh*

Chapter 6 isn't that special. The only annoyance is when you have to fight off a lot of ninjas.

Chapter 7 is not that hard when you know what to do. The Wanted part is very boring, though since you have to be near the police putting up flyers for him to actually put them up.

The skills I'm going for are Gadgets, Weapons, Marksmanship and Armor.

FuriKuri

2005-11-14 11:10:16 pm

Ride on shooting star

Sounds like good stuff. I was playing NOLF about a month ago, and was wondering why nobody had speed run either of the games.

NOLF sounds like a harder game to speedrun, though. Not just its length, but because of the many levels where you can't be seen or you fail. Good luck to you.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2005-11-15 12:06:39 am

4NT

Yeah. In NOLF2 you can be seen even on missions where you're not supposed to be seen. Which I abuse. Most notably this far in India when planting the bug in the HARM building.

Also, NOLF1/2 has suddenly got bumped to the top of the queue due to problems with the capture card making me unable to continue with GGA. I know of a workaround but that requires some addtional hardware so until then I'll be speedrunning PC games.

CannibalBob

2005-11-15 02:04:25 am

Awesome, I'd love to see a speed run of NOLF 1. I didn't win NOLF2 yet, so I won't watch that one yet Tongue

Still, a NOLF1 run would be alright. I mean, the game wasn't really made for speed, at least that's the impression I got when I played it. But I would definitely love to see lots of tricks and shortcuts.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2005-11-15 01:57:01 pm

4NT

Unfortunately, Monolith has thought of such things as shortcuts and put invisible walls and death triggers everywhere. Pretty funny to watch Cate die from falling a distance of 20 cm.

Anyway, finished my first test run through NOLF2. Times as follow:
8. 10:15
9. 6:20
10. 4.30
11. 3:20
12. 10:00
13. 5:00
14. 8:30
15. 7:00

The largest problem for me is the randomization. On some levels I started with low health and was mostly dependant on picking up armor at the start. Which might or might not be there. And I really hate the return to India. You have to save all the citizens and fires need two buckets of water to be put out. I did plan on making it one segment/chapter but I still need to do that on a new game since loading chapters from the menu lets you start with 0 SP.

NOLF is kinda like Strife when it comes to speedrunning it. But have the option to sneak, although the alarm will go off in the end whatever you do, you cannot sequence break (afaik) and the whole game is very random.

I might start recording this week if nothing else gets in the way.

Unfortunately, Monolith has thought of such things as shortcuts and put invisible walls and  death triggers everywhere. Pretty funny to watch Cate die from falling a distance of 20 cm.

Anyway, finished my first test run through NOLF2. Times as follow:
8. 10:15
9. 6:20
10. 4.30
11. 3:20
12. 10:00
13. 5:00
14. 8:30
15. 7:00

The largest problem for me is the randomization. On some levels I started with low health and was mostly dependant on picking up armor at the start. Which might or might not be there. And I really hate the return to India. You have to save all the citizens and fires need two buckets of water to be put out. I did plan on making it one segment/chapter but I still need to do that on a new game since loading chapters from the menu lets you start with 0 SP.

NOLF is kinda like Strife when it comes to speedrunning it. But have the option to sneak, although the alarm will go off in the end whatever you do, you cannot sequence break (afaik) and the whole game is very random.

I might start recording this week if nothing else gets in the way.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2005-11-20 10:30:59 pm

4NT

I have now started recording. I have finished Chapters 1 and 2. I found some new tricks that brought my time for those two levels down about 3 minutes.

Chapter 1 - 2:40
Lots and lots of retries due to code breaker not being next to Hatori-sans shop. Actually, 80% of all retries were because of that.

Chapter 2 - 1:17
Quite fun and easy when you know how to do. Got it on the second try.

I have started attempts at Chapter 3. Got to the Power Station and died. Didn't matter because I also ran out of disc space somewhere around there. Note to self: Do not attempt to set the explosives before killing guards in area. Estimated time is around 17-18 minutes.

And if anyone knows of any useful tricks and glitches for me to use and abuse, do tell me. Missions 3-5 are quite annoying due to huge number of guards.

bert

2005-12-19 06:38:11 pm

Did you get any further, yet?

I tried Chapter 2 as well, but i didnt get even close to your time (1:55).

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2005-12-19 10:36:00 pm

4NT

Yeah. After a long while (thinks to uni taking up most of my time) I completed Chapter 3. Time was 16:30. Chapter 3 is quite boring and also the guards at the Communications Tower really likes killing you. Or the pilot. Although it is fun to get the pilot to run to the gate directly he will run out the front entrance of the shed and be gunned down most of the times. If I'd try harder I'd probably be able to get a lower time but killing guards must be done or they will kill you. Meh...

Anyway, I will try some more before going home over christmas. Hopefully get past Chapter 4.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2006-01-08 01:30:28 am

4NT

Today I resumed running this game. And I made a lot of progress, too. I am now in India, trying to avoid the clutches of the quite annoying police.

Chapter 4 - 8:46
I finally got past this chapter. Despite beginning with only 19 rounds for the AK and 10 tranquilizer darts I got past it. Although it didn't go as perfect as one of my failed attempts when coming to key item placement I'm satisfied anyway.

Chapter 5 - 6:25
The escape isn't that difficult if you see to it that you have full health/armour when escaping the compound. Luckily there is an armour next to the last guards and a health box along the way. Although being too fast getting across the bridge will get you caught in the explosion.

Chapter 6 - 8:05
This is a very easy and short chapter. What brings up the time is that you have to fight ninjas for about 3-4 minutes before Isako shows up.

As for India... Well, I have the route planned, the only problem is being lucky enough to get past it. The problems are if the guards find you in the office when planting the bug and being spotted by the officer with the posters. I think I have the poster routine all figured out though. If anyone manage to find any way of skipping objectives here I would be very grateful.

Today I resumed running this game. And I made a lot of progress, too. I am now in India, trying to avoid the clutches of the quite annoying police.

Chapter 4 - 8:46
I finally got past this chapter. Despite beginning with only 19 rounds for the AK and 10 tranquilizer darts I got past it. Although it didn't go as perfect as one of my failed attempts when coming to key item placement I'm satisfied anyway.

Chapter 5 - 6:25
The escape isn't that difficult if you see to it that you have full health/armour when escaping the compound. Luckily there is an armour next to the last guards and a health box along the way. Although being too fast getting across the bridge will get you caught in the explosion.

Chapter 6 - 8:05
This is a very easy and short chapter. What brings up the time is that you have to fight ninjas for about 3-4 minutes before Isako shows up.

As for India... Well, I have the route planned, the only problem is being lucky enough to get past it. The problems are if the guards find you in the office when planting the bug and being spotted by the officer with the posters. I think I have the poster routine all figured out though. If anyone manage to find any way of skipping objectives here I would be very grateful.

Psychochild

2006-01-08 04:43:21 am

I'm very excited by your progress and just the fact you're still working on this run. This is gonna be good.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2006-01-10 12:19:42 am

4NT

Done with Chapter 7. Time was 11:57. Quite good, despite my minor mistakes.

But now for Chapter 8. It might possibly be the most difficult chapter to run because every map is packed with enemies. And you have to keep Armstrong alive for a couple of minutes, too. Meh. The largest problem is Crossfire as I see it. The randomness regarding the two armours make it more difficult than it should be. Especially if you get no armours. At least you usually get an armour at the start of the next level, but still... And all the civilians that run into your line of fire. This might take some time unless I find a shortcut or something.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2006-01-14 02:29:01 am

4NT

Sorry for double post but today I made lots of progress. Hopefully I can finish it tomorrow now that the annoying chapters are completed. My latest progress is this:

Chapter 8 - 9:26
How I hate this chapter. Although in this run I hardly take any damage on Crossfire and I get an armour at start of Invisible Walls so I guess it's kinda good.

Chapter 9 - 3:38
Very easy chapter since there only is one enemy. I do get hit twice (although only one is registered). Just scout to get the location of the keys and wrench, then reload and run through the level.

Chapter 10 - 3:50
Back to India. Yuck... My main problem with this level is that all civilians have to be rescued. 3 of which are blocked by fires meaning I have to get 6 buckets of water. And for some reason the guards doesn't approve of me borrowing their bucket.

Chapter 11 - 3:02
Another easy mission. I don't even have to scout for the bombs since all bomb spots are along the fastest route.

Time this far is 1:15:36. Final time should be somewhere around 1:40:00. Hopefully I have an answer tomorrow...

Sorry for double post but today I made lots of progress. Hopefully I can finish it tomorrow now that the annoying chapters are completed. My latest progress is this:

Chapter 8 - 9:26
How I hate this chapter. Although in this run I hardly take any damage on Crossfire and I get an armour at start of Invisible Walls so I guess it's kinda good.

Chapter 9 - 3:38
Very easy chapter since there only is one enemy. I do get hit twice (although only one is registered). Just scout to get the location of the keys and wrench, then reload and run through the level.

Chapter 10 - 3:50
Back to India. Yuck... My main problem with this level is that all civilians have to be rescued. 3 of which are blocked by fires meaning I have to get 6 buckets of water. And for some reason the guards doesn't approve of me borrowing their bucket.

Chapter 11 - 3:02
Another easy mission. I don't even have to scout for the bombs since all bomb spots are along the fastest route.

Time this far is 1:15:36. Final time should be somewhere around 1:40:00. Hopefully I have an answer tomorrow...

bert

2006-01-14 11:11:58 am

Nice to see you're advancing very quickly. I didn't really expect a time lower than 2 hours so I'm very curious to see your run.ber

acxy500

2006-01-14 01:04:02 pm

Nice man! Really great..really. Grin

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2006-01-14 06:29:23 pm

4NT

All done.

Chapter 12 - 5:53
Not that hard. Most annoying thing is finding the tape recorder which appears in a random location. I got lucky and found it in the first place I looked.

Chapter 13 - 3:36
Defeating the Mime King isn't that hard. The problem is his guards that can kill you very easily if you're unlucky.

Chapter 14 - 7:38
First a long level. Then two boss fights. And I have to collect ammo from the guards so I don't have to get that during first fight.

Chapter 15 - 5:10
This mission isn't that hard, actually. Armours and ammo everywhere. Only problem is if you have lots of guards and is figthing a super soldier. Final "boss" is pathetic.

So. There you have it. All of NOLF2 completed in 1:37:53. Now I think I'm gonna take a break from NOLF for a little while and speedrun something else before taking on NOLF1. But then we'll see how long I can keep away... Now all that is left is to see when Radix will accept this one.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2006-02-14 01:40:14 am

4NT

Regarding the NOLF2 run I can tell you that Radix told me to wait with it until my Strife run is up.

So, now I have decided to start preliminary training on NOLF. After some testing I've discovered that for some reason NOLF wont work on this computer. Menu screen is messed up, movies doesn't play properly (was quite fun watching Cate Archer zooming past the screen in high speed during the intro credits and then having it cut off right before displaying the title) and the frame rate is choppy. Interesting since I know that it worked before. Just means I'll have to play it on my older comp. I have ordered a DVD recorder so hopefully that'll take care of the ghosting problem I got when recording the Strife run. (Unless someone knows of a solution to my problems.)

After a lengthy conversation with Radix I will do individual chapter runs with custom equipment. I did manage to convince him that custom equipment was good. Expect to see some Super Atomic Laser Weapon abuse... Also, since it's individual chapters anyone can join in on the project.

Will see if I can start training sometime tomorrow.

Regarding the NOLF2 run I can tell you that Radix told me to wait with it until my Strife run is up.

So, now I have decided to start preliminary training on NOLF. After some testing I've discovered that for some reason NOLF wont work on this computer. Menu screen is messed up, movies doesn't play properly (was quite fun watching Cate Archer zooming past the screen in high speed during the intro credits and then having it cut off right before displaying the title) and the frame rate is choppy. Interesting since I know that it worked before. Just means I'll have to play it on my older comp. I have ordered a DVD recorder so hopefully that'll take care of the ghosting problem I got when recording the Strife run. (Unless someone knows of a solution to my problems.)

After a lengthy conversation with Radix I will do individual chapter runs with custom equipment. I did manage to convince him that custom equipment was good. Expect to see some Super Atomic Laser Weapon abuse... Also, since it's individual chapters anyone can join in on the project.

Will see if I can start training sometime tomorrow.

Serious_Cacodemon

Edit history:

Serious_Cacodemon: 2006-02-14 04:00:54 am

2006-02-14 04:00:29 am

Obey the Daleks or be Exterminated! Riiiiiiight...

Looking forward to seeing you run through NOLF 1. Like I said before, the whole insulting Magnus part in part 2 of 'The Indomitable Cate Archer' can be skipped by skipping the cutscene. For some reason, it always worked for me, regardless of what version I was playing.

Oh, and I also love the Super Atomic Laser weapon. It's fun watching enemies evaporate XD

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2006-02-18 05:25:52 am

4NT

Progress on this run might be quite slow due to my new TV, but I'll try. There are 26 chapters in this game, some of them are item trainings, though. I played through Morocco and got a time of 14:45. Berlin will be difficult I guess since on the first level you do not want the alarm going off. I did get through it with the help of a silenced pistol if I remember correctly, but the guard in the inner gate booth is hell due to the camera. If anyone has a great strategy or even want to run that chapter that person is welcome to do that.

And yes, I know what conversations can be skipped. The Dr. Schenker one on the plane is also skippable. However, I'd rather keep them if only I could skip the long (and boring if you know how it goes) interview with Baron Dumas.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2006-05-23 12:38:06 am

4NT

I fixed the problems I had with NOLF 1. Turned out that I had to deactivate SLI for it to work correctly. *slaps forehead for not trying it earlier* Anyway, seeing as how my uni work load is thinning out now when all the large work (for me (Poor main programmer having to sit up all night finishing the code.)) is completed I think I will resume the running now. Anyone who knows anything about the game, speak up. Also, if anyone wants to join in on the project since it's individual chapter runs, do so! The more the merrier (and shorter times)!

And as it now says in the title, NOLF2 is in the verification queue. I also call out for any possible Strife verifiers since I think it has been in the queue long enough. And if there is anyone familiar with Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon I have a completed run of the Large Boss Mode. Dunno when/if it will be accepted, though, but f I can get verifiers maybe I can convice Radix to take that one in too.

suga

2006-05-24 05:44:39 pm

I'm interested in NOLF1, but how about award bonuses? it would make diferrence between runners since there are some awards that gives you benefit like health or armor bonus (btw I searched for a list of awards but I couldn't find more than an incomplete list on the official forum so far :/). perhaps some kind of official save would be nice since it also makes us don't need to bother completing all missions or collecting items (don't remember if you needed to collect them though).

rock1644

2006-05-24 06:09:54 pm

yes, a man carrying a gimp

I can verify NOLF 2. I PM'd Radix about it, but he hasn't responded.

HidoiMidoriRyuu

2006-05-26 02:29:35 am

4NT

Progress! Yay! Today I did some test runs through the first 6 chapters (including the briefings). Times are as follows:

The Assignment: 1:01.1
Misfortune in Morocco: 14:10.0
Requiem for a Spy: 2:06.6
Berlin by Night: 9:24.4
Unexpected Turbulence: 3:16.7
Care to Explain: 30.1

As for the awards I could find no place to see which ones that I have gotten. Hmm... I didn't even know they existed (or I forgot about them).

Misfortune in Morocco gets such long time because of the first part where you just stand in one place and wait for the target to get to his location. The rest goes faster.

Berlin by Night: What is this "stealth" thing you're all talking about?

Unexpected Turbulence: Explosions are fun! Err...