Probotector/Contra: Hard Corps no deaths speedrun

2005-07-15 04:07:26 pm

I found this site and realised that I could contribute.

The run I can contribute is a run of Probotector (Contra: Hard corps in other countries).

I have become good enough at it that I should be able to do a no deaths run on the "best ending" path (the one where you climb the missile). I haven't actually done a no deaths run of the game. But the only deaths I get now are from silly mistakes and I've been able to cut things down to one-two deaths per game, so with a little more practice I should be able to perfect it.

The biggest worry of a no deaths run is that one boss (the main boss of the jungle level) has a spinning laser attack that is very random and therefore dodging it is not guaranteed at all. If I do the run I might be able to accept one death IF it comes from that attack and I do everything else perfect. All other attacks are fully avoidable though.

I know that the best ending is not the quickest path, but it is the one I'm most used to, and I find almost all the enemy attacks predictable along that path.

The character I will use is the red robot CX2 (I think it's a female in hard Corps). My main tactic is use of its "ax laser" weapon, which is both homing and has a massive spread. The other weapons have their uses as well and this character is a great all-rounder. I think the only difference between Hard Corps and this is that HC has more story (which is a bad thing for speedrunning anyway Tongue

) and the PAL conversion.

I read that people want a SNES Contra run, I can't do that but this version is supposed to be harder anyway Wink

.

I don't know whether I will do it (as I will have to set a telly up right etc), but hopefully I can.

If I do do this run maybe I will do a (superhard) Alien Soldier one as well Smiley

.

The only problem is that this game doesn't show a timer at the end.

Thread title:

I found this site and realised that I could contribute.

The run I can contribute is a run of Probotector (Contra: Hard corps in other countries).

I have become good enough at it that I should be able to do a no deaths run on the "best ending" path (the one where you climb the missile). I haven't actually done a no deaths run of the game. But the only deaths I get now are from silly mistakes and I've been able to cut things down to one-two deaths per game, so with a little more practice I should be able to perfect it.

The biggest worry of a no deaths run is that one boss (the main boss of the jungle level) has a spinning laser attack that is very random and therefore dodging it is not guaranteed at all. If I do the run I might be able to accept one death IF it comes from that attack and I do everything else perfect. All other attacks are fully avoidable though.

I know that the best ending is not the quickest path, but it is the one I'm most used to, and I find almost all the enemy attacks predictable along that path.

The character I will use is the red robot CX2 (I think it's a female in hard Corps). My main tactic is use of its "ax laser" weapon, which is both homing and has a massive spread. The other weapons have their uses as well and this character is a great all-rounder. I think the only difference between Hard Corps and this is that HC has more story (which is a bad thing for speedrunning anyway :P ) and the PAL conversion.

I read that people want a SNES Contra run, I can't do that but this version is supposed to be harder anyway ;) .

I don't know whether I will do it (as I will have to set a telly up right etc), but hopefully I can.

If I do do this run maybe I will do a (superhard) Alien Soldier one as well :) .

The only problem is that this game doesn't show a timer at the end.

MMAN

Edit history:

MMAN: 2005-07-15 06:49:02 pm

2005-07-15 04:27:06 pm

Damn, I did this message but didn't realise I wasn't logged in (I thought it just asked for a full name anyway or something Smiley

). Could my name on that post be changed?

Of course, this would obviously be a single segment run.

I guess the game isn't so suited for speed running as you have to kill most of the stuff in your way, so it's more of a "skills" thing than pure speed.

stx-Vile

Edit history:

stx-Vile: 2005-07-15 07:09:23 pm

2005-07-15 06:49:03 pm

The man made of sticks

Quote:

The biggest worry of a no deaths run is that one boss (the main boss of the jungle level) has a spinning laser attack that is very random and therefore dodging it is not guaranteed at all. If I do the run I might be able to accept one death IF it comes from that attack and I do everything else perfect. All other attacks are fully avoidable though.

If that's the boss that I'm thinking about (the robot you fight once you get inside the base) then there's a trick to that. Firing at him will make him spin around, so if you stop firing at him so that his movement stops before he fires the lasers, they will only travel in a single direction and are easily avoided.

Incidentally, I would have used the wolf robot for a run, since his weapon D is great against bosses (in fact, two charged shots at close range will beat that first segment of the robot fight and not even let him use that laser attack).

MMAN

Edit history:

MMAN: 2005-07-15 06:57:15 pm

2005-07-15 06:53:42 pm

Thanks, I'll have to try that out later, since if that works then any worry I have about doing a no deaths run for the game is gone (I tend to just try and finish that stage of the boss as soon as possible). Hopefully the non-hard corps version doesn't have any difficulty "tweaks" (I.E. stuff to make it harder like that not working).

MMAN

Edit history:

MMAN: 2005-07-16 12:59:20 am

2005-07-16 12:05:16 am

Yes! It works! I notice there is a kind of theme with that boss now, as both its first and last stage encourage you not to use your strongest single hit weapon (in stage 1 it makes him spin too much and in the last stage if you make it "shake" too much you actually do less damage than with a weapon that doesn't make it shake as fast. At least, that's the case when I'm the red guy).

The only other worries are Noiman Cascade and the Alien leader guy (before the missile).

Noiman Cascade isn't hard but I seem to get into insanely close shaves every time I do it, something I obviously want to cut down on. The main problem is the first stage of the second half of the fight (the fourth battle at that boss), where a square lobs bouncing things at you. If I kill it at the wrong time the bouncing part reforming with the square can get me from behind. I guess I'll just have to experiment with the damage at that point (when to not attack).

The main problem with the Alien Leader is the annoying jumps it does, they seem kind of unpredictable (the rest of the attacks are easy). I'll probably use all the bombs I have here, as the final bosses on the missile are pathetic.

I might experiment a bit with the other characters. Actually I was thinking of trying the wolf because of his damaging attacks. I wasn't sure how big a difference it would make though (as damage seems a little inconsistent from enemy to enemy). But being able to kill stuff like that boss before it actually does anything sounds like it is worth it.

{edit} I just tried the wolf and his "D" weapon IS amazing! I died about 5 times on this run but they were either bad mistakes/judgement with D or from familiarising myself with the character. I'll stick with the wolf from now on.

The Wolf makes Noiman easy, and I think I've sussed out how the Alien leader works now. It also eradicates problems like that spinning laser thing.

Thinking about it, if the run is not too long (I.E. it does not use too much of the tape), maybe I should do one for all four characters Smiley

.

Yes! It works! I notice there is a kind of theme with that boss now, as both its first and last stage encourage you not to use your strongest single hit weapon (in stage 1 it makes him spin too much and in the last stage if you make it "shake" too much you actually do less damage than with a weapon that doesn't make it shake as fast. At least, that's the case when I'm the red guy).

The only other worries are Noiman Cascade and the Alien leader guy (before the missile).

Noiman Cascade isn't hard but I seem to get into insanely close shaves every time I do it, something I obviously want to cut down on. The main problem is the first stage of the second half of the fight (the fourth battle at that boss), where a square lobs bouncing things at you. If I kill it at the wrong time the bouncing part reforming with the square can get me from behind. I guess I'll just have to experiment with the damage at that point (when to not attack).

The main problem with the Alien Leader is the annoying jumps it does, they seem kind of unpredictable (the rest of the attacks are easy). I'll probably use all the bombs I have here, as the final bosses on the missile are pathetic.

I might experiment a bit with the other characters. Actually I was thinking of trying the wolf because of his damaging attacks. I wasn't sure how big a difference it would make though (as damage seems a little inconsistent from enemy to enemy). But being able to kill stuff like that boss before it actually does anything sounds like it is worth it.

{edit} I just tried the wolf and his "D" weapon IS amazing! I died about 5 times on this run but they were either bad mistakes/judgement with D or from familiarising myself with the character. I'll stick with the wolf from now on.

The Wolf makes Noiman easy, and I think I've sussed out how the Alien leader works now. It also eradicates problems like that spinning laser thing.

Thinking about it, if the run is not too long (I.E. it does not use too much of the tape), maybe I should do one for all four characters :) .

MMAN

Edit history:

MMAN: 2005-07-16 06:57:42 pm

2005-07-16 06:56:02 pm

Today I managed my first no-deaths run (with the Wolf). Now that I have everything worked out a nice thing about this run is that luck is 95% eradicated as most stuff can be dodged or skipped altogether. However, it takes quite a bit of endurance as several very tight dodges etc need to be done and the best ending probably has one of the highest concentrations of bosses. I've now got my bomb use worked out (you get three in all unless you are lucky with the level where you fight the experiments).

BTW, on that spinning laser I actually found that the B weapon is better than D (there are other fights where this is the case to), as it takes about the same time but is more consistent and safer.

Now I just need to try and record a run.

mikwuyma

2005-07-16 07:25:37 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Hey MMAN, I should have posted this earlier, but have you tried Browny (the small robot, who is actually a robot in the US version)? His weapon C does absurd damage when you mash it at close range. Even at far ranges it still does good damage.

I'm sure Browny is at least on the same level as Fang powerwise, if not greater. The only problem with Browny is the only good weapon he has against normal enemies is weapon A IMO.

stx-Vile

2005-07-16 08:23:44 pm

The man made of sticks

And even weapon A has a bit of a learning curve since you have to let go of fire if you want to change the direction of the beam faster, otherwise it'll circle around the player.

MMAN

Edit history:

MMAN: 2005-07-16 08:30:21 pm

2005-07-16 08:28:28 pm

As I said depending how long the run is (so I can fit them all on one tape) I might post one for each character to see who is quickest. Although there are luck factors for time (some bosses randomly do attacks that take them off screen for a little etc).

I think I initally stayed with the red robot as I liked its ax laser and versatile weapons from the beginning and therefore just stuck with that one, only messing with the other characters for "fun". But now I can avoid most of the stuff anyway (and therefore can make up for the slightly less versatile weapons) with a little familiarisation the character I choose doesn't matter too much (survival wise).

The small character would have advantages. One I can think of straight away is that I won't have to worry about getting my slides right on the last stage of the jungle boss (one of those "close shave" situations), I also remember its "B" weapon is ideal for killing that particular boss as it is damaging and keeps the boss relatively still.

As I said depending how long the run is (so I can fit them all on one tape) I might post one for each character to see who is quickest. Although there are luck factors for time (some bosses randomly do attacks that take them off screen for a little etc).

I think I initally stayed with the red robot as I liked its ax laser and versatile weapons from the beginning and therefore just stuck with that one, only messing with the other characters for "fun". But now I can avoid most of the stuff anyway (and therefore can make up for the slightly less versatile weapons) with a little familiarisation the character I choose doesn't matter too much (survival wise).

The small character would have advantages. One I can think of straight away is that I won't have to worry about getting my slides right on the last stage of the jungle boss (one of those "close shave" situations), I also remember its "B" weapon is ideal for killing that particular boss as it is damaging and keeps the boss relatively still.

MMAN

Edit history:

MMAN: 2005-07-17 02:09:47 am

2005-07-17 01:07:27 am

I just found that there is already a speedrun (with browny) at: http://bisqwit.iki.fi/nesvideos/27S.html

I haven't got it yet but it is tools assisted (and the site actually says that things like slowdowns are encouraged). So I can still do something different as mine would be non tools-assisted plus no deaths.

Lag.Com

2005-07-17 08:07:29 am

sda loyalist

Yes; the runners here often check bisqwit's site first for route ideas and techniques, no worries there. I'm looking forward to this run, I always like seeing someone destroy worlds and not dying.

stx-Vile

2005-07-17 10:29:43 am

The man made of sticks

I wouldn't mind seeing all of the different endings for the game, rather than the same ending with all characters to compare times. I'm not sure if that's what you were implying.

MMAN

2005-07-17 12:43:24 pm

Quote:

I wouldn't mind seeing all of the different endings for the game, rather than the same ending with all characters to compare times. I'm not sure if that's what you were implying.

I was thinking of doing that. The other endings are probably quicker, although I think I recall them having much tougher bosses, but that might just be because I don't play through those so much.

For speed the "secret" ending would be best but that isn't really playing through (as you skip half the game).

mikwuyma

2005-07-17 02:23:05 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

About doing all the endings, I talked with Radix about this yesterday, and he didn't seem to mind even though this would create 20 categories (this includes the secret ending). Mind you he didn't seem to like the prospect of 20 categories, but he didn't reject the possibility. So if you want to get all the endings with the same or different characters, go for it, I'd watch it.

If you're wondering how it's 20 categories.

5 paths * 4 characters = 20 categories

P.S. He told me Resident Evil 2 had the potential to go over 200 categories.

MMAN

2005-07-17 02:27:40 pm

Well, If I did it I wouldn't do 20 runs :). Just a different ending for each character (4 runs without the secret ending).

MMAN

2005-08-02 03:09:29 pm

No updates for a while. That's because it's now just a case of when a VCR is set up for it.

I tried an alternative ending and it wasn't half as bad as I thought; I only died once from an attack by a final boss (not that annoying as I was just testing anyway). So if the other endings are just as "simple" doing a run for each shouldn't be too tough.

MMAN

2005-10-11 12:40:42 am

I was going to wait until I knew I could actually record before I attempted this, but the Contra 3 run "inspired" me to put in some more practice. Because of the insane amount of ways to go through the game (characters+Endings) I decided I may as well just go for the fastest (non-secret) ending possible, although it depends how I feel when recording.

After seeing the TAS and practicing with him a bit I will most definitely be using Brownie/CX-4 for the run. His Yo-Yo kills just as quick as the Wolf guy/CX-3 (forgot his NTSC name Tongue

) and also does much more "consistent" damage (you don't have to charge it or anything) which also makes it quicker in some circumstances. His small size and other weapons also have more uses than any of the Wolf's other weapons (and help make some other bosses quicker and easier).

AquaTiger

Edit history:

AquaTiger: 2006-02-18 08:53:01 pm

2006-02-18 08:50:33 pm

Never give up!

I know the post is old, but I just discovered this thread and am acting accordingly.

Quote:

His Yo-Yo kills just as quick as the Wolf guy/CX-3 (forgot his NTSC name Tongue

) and also does much more "consistent" damage (you don't have to charge it or anything) which also makes it quicker in some circumstances.

The NTSC name of the 'wolf guy' you mention here is Fang (and I think he's cybernetic as well in the NTSC version, at least judging from his arms).

By the way, in your first post.... I'm not familiar with CX2, but judging from the weapon mentioned there it looks like CX2 corresponds to Sheena in the NTSC version.

Also from the first post.... since loading screens aren't an issue, don't fret TOO badly about the lack of an ingame timer.

Anyway, back to the most recent info. If the 'yo-yo' weapon for Browny is weapon C like I think it is, it sounds like the timing is going to be incredibly tricky. But yes, that weapon IS, on the average, faster than Fang's Charge Cannon (weapon D). Plus Browny has a double jump, just in case the first jump goes wrong.

I know the post is old, but I just discovered this thread and am acting accordingly.

[quote]His Yo-Yo kills just as quick as the Wolf guy/CX-3 (forgot his NTSC name :P ) and also does much more "consistent" damage (you don't have to charge it or anything) which also makes it quicker in some circumstances.[/quote]

The NTSC name of the 'wolf guy' you mention here is Fang (and I think he's cybernetic as well in the NTSC version, at least judging from his arms).

By the way, in your first post.... I'm not familiar with CX2, but judging from the weapon mentioned there it looks like CX2 corresponds to Sheena in the NTSC version.

Also from the first post.... since loading screens aren't an issue, don't fret TOO badly about the lack of an ingame timer.

Anyway, back to the most recent info.  If the 'yo-yo' weapon for Browny is weapon C like I think it is, it sounds like the timing is going to be incredibly tricky.  But yes, that weapon IS, on the average, faster than Fang's Charge Cannon (weapon D).  Plus Browny has a double jump, just in case the first jump goes wrong.

getter77

2006-02-18 09:03:01 pm

100% runs=great to watch

Yep.."Combattler V" AKA "Browny" (to avoid copy infringement) owns this game handily with his
Chodenji Yo-Yo... 8)

No death run? Yikes....god luck with this terrifying representation of skill. May all of Combattler V bless your efforts...

MMAN

Edit history:

MMAN: 2006-02-18 09:19:30 pm

2006-02-18 09:19:07 pm

In terms of the fastest "normal" (IE non-secret) route (go after the commander, then surrender later on) the only boss that gives me much trouble now is the walker robot in the elevator, as some of its attacks are a little unpredictable. Though being Brownie helps in evading the attacks.

Gigafrost

2006-02-19 01:14:22 am

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Cool! A Contra HC run in the works! (Well, I actually didn't know it was called Probotector elsewhere... you learn something every day...) Although since I haven't seen Probotector specifically, I don't really know all the differences, so I guess I can only cheer you on from the side lines. Smiley

dessgeega

2006-02-21 02:11:57 pm

i like to watch.

just in case anyone's really anxious for videos of this game, i did do a no-death run of the game's secret ending (accessible from stage 3) this past week. it's not a speed-run at all, but it's there for anyone who's interested.

i'd be pretty interested in seeing a no-death run of the optimal path! good luck.

zfunk007

2006-02-25 04:20:14 pm

To Speedrun... or not to Speedrun...

Hey all, I'm new to this site and posted another thread about this game (which was promptly locked, but for good reason). I should have checked this thread out first.

My brother and I are going to do a 2 player speed run for this game. So you've got some competition MMAN :). We think a 2 player speed run would be a lot of fun to watch because 2 player speed runs seem to be a lot less common in video games. Plus the difficulty and intensity is increased because there is twice the chance of messing up.

We may even do one for every ending if we can. We have been playing this game for quite some time and feel ready to give it a try.

Any tips as to how we would actually record it? Obviously a VCR is probably the way to go since we can't use the emulated version for cheating reasons. Although we do own the actual game and the emulated version as well.

I guess we will use this thread to update since they locked our other one. Hope you don't mind MMAN, we aren't really stealing too much of your glory because we will be doing it with 2 players. Let us know what your times are.

Hey all, I'm new to this site and posted another thread about this game (which was promptly locked, but for good reason). I should have checked this thread out first.

My brother and I are going to do a 2 player speed run for this game. So you've got some competition MMAN :). We think a 2 player speed run would be a lot of fun to watch because 2 player speed runs seem to be a lot less common in video games. Plus the difficulty and intensity is increased because there is twice the chance of messing up.

We may even do one for every ending if we can. We have been playing this game for quite some time and feel ready to give it a try.

Any tips as to how we would actually record it? Obviously a VCR is probably the way to go since we can't use the emulated version for cheating reasons. Although we do own the actual game and the emulated version as well.

I guess we will use this thread to update since they locked our other one. Hope you don't mind MMAN, we aren't really stealing too much of your glory because we will be doing it with 2 players. Let us know what your times are.

MMAN

2006-02-25 04:34:47 pm

I won't be recording at least for the next couple of months anyway (most likely).

2 player would definitely be harder as the damage of your shots seems to be halved (or at least decreased to a certain degree), which makes it pretty much the same as SP but with something else that can screw you over, although extra versatility is a bonus.

mikwuyma

2006-02-25 04:45:12 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

The best team for 2 player is definitely Browny and Fang. If you haven't read the previous posts in this forum, I'll enlighten you.

Fang: Charge shot (weapon D) has a huge hitbox and does a crapload of damage. Flame fist (weapon B I think) also does a lot of damage.

Browny: Yoyo abuse (weapon C), simply run up right next to a boss and hit the fire button as fast as you can. You will usually kill the boss in less than 5 seconds. Also, his small size compliments the yoyo very well, he can fit into spaces other characters can't (like under the arm of the midboss in the third stage). If you're fighting a boss where you can't do this, simply focus the yoyo on the boss for as long as you can, let go, then press the fire button again to focus the yoyo on the boss, it still kills ridiculously fast. Honestly, Browny is very, very broken.

Ray and Sheena aren't as good simply because they don't have any weapons with broken amounts of damage. Separate character combinations are different categories, but I suggest playing with the Fang and Browny team if you want the fastest run.

P.S. I might try to do this game when I have the chance.

The best team for 2 player is definitely Browny and Fang.  If you haven't read the previous posts in this forum, I'll enlighten you.

Fang:  Charge shot (weapon D) has a huge hitbox and does a crapload of damage.  Flame fist (weapon B I think) also does a lot of damage.

Browny:  Yoyo abuse (weapon C), simply run up right next to a boss and hit the fire button as fast as you can.  You will usually kill the boss in less than 5 seconds.  Also, his small size compliments the yoyo very well, he can fit into spaces other characters can't (like under the arm of the midboss in the third stage).  If you're fighting a boss where you can't do this, simply focus the yoyo on the boss for as long as you can, let go, then press the fire button again to focus the yoyo on the boss, it still kills ridiculously fast.  Honestly, Browny is very, very broken.

Ray and Sheena aren't as good simply because they don't have any weapons with broken amounts of damage.  Separate character combinations are different categories, but I suggest playing with the Fang and Browny team if you want the fastest run.

P.S.  I might try to do this game when I have the chance.