I'm the current top time for the NG+ Shizuku True Ending route in all difficulty levels. A new runner reached out to me on Discord to discuss this game. They noticed they had nearly identical combat times as me (in Easy difficulty) but their run time was 12 minutes slower. I investigated by comparing our run videos and I found my cut scenes were progressing significantly faster than his.

I reinstalled the game on my new laptop to investigate further and I found I couldn't replicate how fast my cut scenes were progressing. I pulled out my old laptop that still had the game installed and discovered that before I started speedrunning the game, I had installed a mod called "Akiba Interceptor" that allows you to increase the game's frame rate. The mod author did make sure combat speed stays the same when you increase the FPS, but cut scenes and menus do run much faster. I confirmed my FPS was set to 60 instead of 30 on my old laptop, thus invalidating all my current record runs.

On that note, I examined the current top 3 runs in the Easy difficulty of the NG+ Shizuku True Ending route. I found myself and the current #2 runner (DaRabidDuckie) were both playing at 60 FPS instead of 30. The current #1 runner should be darksoda based on what I've found. I'm sure DaRabidDuckie didn't intentionally boost his FPS to gain an unfair advantage, he probably made the same mistake I did and just didn't realize he was playing with an advantage.

I've gathered some information I'd like to share to prove how FPS impacts game speed and how to definitively tell who is playing at a higher frame rate.

I played the opening sequence of the game optimally at both 30 and 60 FPS up to when Nanashi opens the cell phone after the first battle. I was able to confirm combat speed is unaffected by the FPS change, but cut scenes definitely are.

Since combat sequences are unaffected, I removed them from each run at the same point so the cut scene difference can be observed clearly.

This video shows the fastest these opening cut scene sequences can be done at 30 and 60 FPS:

As you can see, at 30 FPS these cut scenes took 1:29 whereas at 60 FPS they took only 0:51. This explains why my run was 12 minutes faster than the person who contacted me on Discord, even though our combat performances were nearly identical.

This video compares these same cut scene sequences from the current top 3 runs (myself, DaRabidDuckie, and darksoda):|

As you can see, myself and DaRabidDuckie have cut scene times indicating we are both playing at 60 FPS. You can't progress these cut scenes this fast at 30 FPS through any manner of button mashing. The run by darksoda, however, is clearly occurring at the expected time for 30 FPS.

This video compares the current top 3 runs fighting the opening battle:

As you can see, FPS doesn't impact combat time in any noticeable manner, as darksoda was able to beat the same battle only 1 second slower than me but 8 seconds faster than DaRabidDuckie (who was playing at a higher FPS).

Based on this information, it's clear that both mine and DaRabidDuckie's runs are invalid. I've already deleted my runs for the other difficulties in the NG+ Shizuku True Ending route but I've left my Easy difficulty run in place for the time being so the mods can confirm my proof videos above are using that same playthrough.

MODS: please delete my Easy difficulty run when you are done confirming which runs are valid and which ones aren't. From what I've gathered, the current #1 time should belong to darksoda, as I've confirmed his is the fastest at 30 FPS. Both my run and DaRabidDuckie's runs should be removed.

Moving forward, I have some rule suggestions that would improve speedrunning this game: -For future PC runs, either on-screen FPS should be displayed, or mods should pay attention to how fast players are reaching the opening battle. At 30 FPS, it is not possible to start attacking enemies during the first battle before the 40 to 45 second mark. Any run where people are attacking enemies in the first battle before the 40 second mark is playing at a higher frame rate. -For future PS4 runs, the cooperative Twitch commands should be banned. These are cooperative in nature and not part of the expected solo playthrough. Banning these Twitch commands will put PS4 and PC runs on even ground and could encourage more people to run this game.

I apologize for submitting invalid runs and can assure everyone it was an accident. I'd like to thank Heartlessedly on Discord for reaching out to me, as his questions about how to play faster got me digging deeper into all of this.

I fully intend to pick this game back up and submit legitimate 30 FPS runs. Regardless of what the mods decide for future rules, I will make sure that any PC runs I submit use an on-screen FPS counter, so it's clear there's no funny business.

I was thinking it could be fun to have a category for platinum trophy in rock hard mode. Same rules as the standard run, just in rock hard mode instead.

Anyone else interested in running this?

These are the current rules for NG+ All Missions:

• You may use any character you like for any mission.
• Timer begins on confirmation of the first mission (The Start of Summer) on Day 0.
• Timer ends when you've received your final grade.

I'm currently running a route for NG+ where I don't start on "The Start of Summer" on day 0. All missions get completed, but I'm doing them out of order.

Is rule #2 intended to mean that all runs MUST start on "The Start of Summer"?

If not, I'm proposing the rules be modified to read:

• You may use any character you like for any mission.
• Timer begins on confirmation of the first selected mission
• Timer ends when you've received your final grade.
• All missions must be completed

Thoughts?

I recommend everyone run version 1.0.1 (current patch is v1.0.2).

The promo ads are much better.

Anyone interested in timing these runs based off IGT instead of RTA? The PC version of this game is significantly slower at loading than the PS4 (even with a top notch PC with an SSD). I figured I'd ask since there isn't a large community running this game. All it would take is plugging the times at the end of each round into Live Split. The difference in loading times between PC / PS4 is significant and adds up to quite a lot of time after 57 stages.