Greetings!
Unfortunately, we don't have a -clear- idea about the mechanics of that balloon. The best method to execute Honcho properly, would be to jump from a certain distance to the balloon. You need to play around a little bit, i used to mess it up many times, too.
What i can tell you however is, if you would go, lets say clockwise (like i do) you should make sure to not land on the left side of the balloon. Even though i used to manage to trigger it regardless, the chances are quite low to be successful compared to a clean landing on the right/middle side.
Its just practice.
There are minor differences between the JP/PAL version and NTSC. JP and PAL are essentially the same, with the only difference that PAL uses the same characters as the NTSC version. The JP version (just like PAL), has more updated visuals. A great example here would be the last boss fight, where the eyeball and the canon are using unique projectiles. There is also one less enemy @lvl 8 after the last checkpoint. (Its completely insignificant though).
There isn't much more to say to be honest, all three versions play exactly the same. It all comes down to personal preference here, really.
Thank you.
Come to think of it, I have a few more questions. On the very first stage the obvious strat is to jump on the first goon, bounce to the next one and than to the ledge with the mellons. The TAS seems to make that jump very easily. I myself can only barely make it. Is there some trick to it, or is it just the timing of the first jump.
The way momentum is programmed is pretty interessting. The TAS manages to maintain momentum in alot of places like the damage boost from the spike wall in stage 2, or the starting momentum in the first desert stage. I am guessing it is a frame perfect trick, but I was not yet able to do it myself. Is there more to it, or just very precise timing?
The double jump not always working is another thing that can be problematic, but it usually happens in certain spots and I guess you just have to memorise those spots
That's correct. On the TAS run he hits the goon on the far left, which gives him the speed boost, that's the reason why he is making that jump so easily. On an usual run, you proceed as stated, hit the second goon, perform a double jump in mid air and land barely on the ledge. You might want to watch ZockerStu's run or mine, to get an idea.
For the damage boost, like in level 2, you need to be frame perfect when landing. It is basically performed by quickly turning right when almost hitting the ground (In the case of level 2), then left again and proceed with jump, rinse and repeat. The great issue here is to keep the momentum, i can keep the momentum on Hollow Stairway for 2 jumps maximum. Even getting the first one is quite inconsistent and keeping the momentum even more.
You are losing a lot of time when failing to execute the jump properly and additional to that, you mess up the mob cycles, which would cause trouble, depending on which stage you are on.
Exactly, the double jump does not work after entering levels (there might be non relevant stages where it does work, so take it with a little grain of salt), or after certain checkpoints.
You might want to add us on Skype/Discord. Just post your name, or send me a private message on twitch, so we can help you out or look for some new strats, if you are seriously interested in running this game. You seem to be from Austria too, which means that we could also communicate in german, i guess. Discord would be preferred, not because Skype is bad or anything, but ZockerStu became a fullblown Discordfag and isn't coming to Skype anymore.
Thank you for the Info. I will try to get those momentum keeping turnjumps (do we already have a name for them?) "Tamatou" on discord. Other than shitposting in a PaRappa Group, I haven't been using Discord alot but it still more than Skype.
Also found a strat to make the honcho glitch more consistent, but chances are you already know about it. Wait for him on the ballon, jump when he comes closer so that he does his hammer animation right when you get launched in the air. His "looking up" animation doesn't cancle out his hammer animation so you have just enough time to double jump him upon landing
You're welcome.
I think i know what you mean about the Honcho strat, but i could be wrong though. If it is, what i think it is, its actually much less consistent and slower for me, than the distance jump. But i would be interested to look into it regardless.
Btw, i would need your 4-digit tag on discord to be able to find you.
Hey and welcome Tamatou!
I am really happy about reading that you are so interested in this game because many people are not. Some wanted to start running it but gave up after a short time because the game obviously is a dick. I can only repeat what Emeraldsword said about watching the runs and asking over and over again because there is so much stuff that always appears new after many playthroughs.
Greetings and have fun!
I have a special connection with this game. It was one of my most played games as a child and is still a favourite of mine (along with pandemonium 2)
Practised those turnjumps. Getting the one in the beginning of burning desert is not as hard as I expected. Nikki will Jump automaticly when holding jump as the level starts
Yes burning deserts is worth a try cause you wont lose time or hearts if you mess it up.. But at parts like level 2 it's not worth trying in my opinion because you need to wait a little before these spikes start coming towards you and you lose a heart for trying.. Its too hard to execute (Btw you always jump automaticly when you press the jump button in mid air and hold it...when you hit the ground you normally will jump and the first frame possible)
Go start streaming the attempts, i can't wait to watch ! :)
I am also currently planning to make a step by step speedrun tutorial for pandemonium. (all RNGs, strats for sub 38, safety strats, hints, etc) Don't know if you would be interested in that. -> AmaraSpeedruns came up with this idea because she asked on if someone could do that for easier learning.
Greetings!
A guide would be really awesome. Only did one full run so far wich was 1:16:42 or something. The other runs were ruined by rage quitting at storm temple lol.
Probably gonna stream one full run today and maybe some practise runs of specific levels.
Bad luck i missed your stream :( Hope you gonna stream more often :)
The Speedrun Guide/Tutotial is finished btw..you can find it under "Guides" now.
Since this is the general question thread, I figured I'd ask here. Are PC version runs allowed? If so are they timed differently because of the load times?
Thanks!
I did not play it myself but since it got released for pc ofc.
The only thing i know is that pc version can have weird sound issues, but if you dont have probs with that feel free to play it :D Greetings
I don't have any sound issues, besides the whole sound track not being on PC, lol. I ask because I see PSX runs, and on the loading screen Nikki crosses once or twice. On my PC Nikki takes about two steps, and the level loads. I feel like that is pretty significant from a speedrun standpoint. The only issue I experience is a weird hiccup at the beginning of each stage, but that only lasts about half a second.
Hm you could try running the game on PSX (emulator) so you dont lose the loading times. Emulator should be easy to find..search for ePSXe 1.7.0 for example.
Hope i was able to help
