How to Speedrun Titanic AOT

Notes on Dialogue and Cutscenes

All dialogue and cut scenes can be skipped using ESC. As soon as the player interacts with a character or selects a dialogue option, the player can ESC out of the dialogue. There are only three places when this is troublesome.

1. When returning to Vlad with the package he will not talk before the game offers dialogue options, meaning that if the player hits ESC, they will be kicked out of the conversation.
2. This also occurs with Max when giving him the cigarettes.
3. Rapidly skipping through the cutscenes and dialogue on top of the smokestack as the iceberg strikes the ship in the patched game can cause the game to crash.

There are cutscenes showing the Titanic at sea which pop-up randomly after some of the phases are completed. They don’t always appear; most commonly one comes on when agreeing to get Vlad’s package, and another when showing Penny the Rubaiyat.

The Gorse-Joneses are only accessible before the sinking through travel-triggered appearances. They are supposed to appear when the player leaves the lift but sometimes are triggered by quick-travel, usually when moving from G-Deck to A-Deck to get Vlad’s package. Skip this dialogue.

Notes on Movement

Movement achieved using wad keys instead of typical mouse point-and-clicking even though the game is still “on rails” like a typical first-person point-and-click like Myst. Also, the game cues up directional inputs, meaning that if commands are given at the right points, the game will fluidly move the player along the rails instead of pausing or stuttering. This also works on doors, meaning that holding forward while passing through a door will count as both going through the door and then as moving forward after the door. There are several places where this continual movement can lose time because the player cannot backup using “s” and therefore must manually turn around.

1. When going through the boiler room door the player can overshoot Vlad.
2. When entering the 2nd class passage outside Penny’s cabin, the player can overshoot the stairs.
3. When leaving the C-deck corridor, the player can overshoot the grand staircase.

Notes on Using the Map

The map is one of the most important time savers in the game. You are able to click the red areas to quick-travel to various parts of the ship. Keyboard keys are used to easily switch between the decks. All the decks are mapped to their corresponding letter, A-deck is “A”, B-Deck is “B”, etc. The boat deck is “T”. Specific areas and times disable quick-travel. On G-Deck, the boiler rooms and cargo hold disable quick-travel and no quick-travel is available while the ship is sinking.

It is important to note that you cannot teleport using the map until you have picked up the watch and bag in your cabin.

Notes on Glitches

This game has minimal glitches, only one of which is useful for the run.

Patch Glitch Due to a glitch in the patch used to make Titanic AOT work on modern computer hardware, the two doors to the boat deck from the grand staircase do not function properly. Instead, the player exits onto the A-deck promenade. This means that at two points the current route takes a longer path to avoid this glitch. The gymnasium door, however, functions properly.

Stairs Glitch Going down a flight of stairs on the 2nd class stairwell, then turning and retreating half-way up the same flight, then turning again and going down causes the game to deposit the player at the bottom of the stairwell, on F-deck. This is useful for retrieving the necklace from Vlad during the sinking.

Notes on Timing

The run begins when “game” is selected and ends when “Yes, I’ll get on the boat” is selected when talking to the Gorse-Joneses.

The Base Speedrun

Part 1: Apartment

Select “Game” Select the album on the mantlepiece. ESC Turn and select the desk. Click and ESC the letter and watch. ESC from the desk Air-raid sirens sound three times. ESC through introductory CS.

Part 2: The Rubaiyat

Pick up the bag and watch. Open the door. ESC through Smethers’ dialogue. Open Map Press “T” (boat deck) and select grand staircase Go to Gym Talk to Penny Dialogue 3: “What did you want to tell me?” ESC picture 3, “Is this my mission?” 2, “Is Zeitel alone?” 1, “Which cabin are you in?”

~~~~~~~~* *For non-patched game Open Map Grand staircase Exit to port-side boat deck via right

For patched game Exit to starboard boat deck via gym door Cross behind compass to port-side deck ~~~~~~~~

Talk to Max 1 “Yes, I’ll go.” ESC to exit conversation Pick up pipe Open map F-deck, Turkish bath Go into baths Turn on faucet View mirror Open map 2nd-class (2C) stairs Go into corridor Go down stairs Follow catwalks In control room, when stopped by sailor, answer: 1, “I’m on official business” 1, “Perhaps I can solve that for you.” 1, “I’ll help you.” To solve boiler control: Water level: lever should cover “high” arrowhead. Fresh water: Switch covers “LO” Sea water: Switch covers “I” in HI Dial should be over green area (loud steam noise get quiet), but if not turn upper right valve left. ESC sailor’s dialogue Continue through catwalks to Boiler room 3 Talk to Vlad 1, “What do you want?” 2, “What are your troubles?” 1, “Can’t you get it yourself?” 1, “What’s your friend’s name?” Go down to the boiler room floor. Turn and click on the nearest coal chute (3) to the stairs. Open the box Take the book Click OK Go to the next chute (4), click on it. Click on bag Click on book Click OK repeatedly to leave the bag, put the book in the box, and leave the chute. Return to the catwalks and go back to the engine room. Open map A-Deck, Grand Staircase (GS) Go to room A-14 Talk to Sasha 1, “I’m looking for Mr. Barbicon” 1, “I’m to receive a package for Vlad.” 2, “What will he do in America?” Open map F-Deck, 2C stairs (2CS) Return to Vlad 1, “Here is your package” Remove Rubaiyat from coal chute 4 Return to engine room Open map F-Deck, 2c stairs Go visit Penny, F-34 1, “I found a secret message…” 1, “The Rubaiyat was stowed…” 1, “Zeitel’s exchanging the Rubaiyat …” 1, “I met a stowaway named Vlad…” ESC from photo 1, “Here is the Rubaiyat” 1, “What do I do now?”

Part 3: The Painting

Open map C-Deck, GS Visit purser’s office 2, “What about Mr. Thayer?” 1, “Could I help?” ESC until out of office Open map

~~~~~~~~* *Non-patched game Boat Deck, Grand staircase Exit to port-side boat deck via right

Patched game A-Deck, GS Exit to port-side promenade via door straight ahead. Turn right, climb stairs ~~~~~~~~

Talk to Morrow (this conversation is randomized) “The sea appears calm” “It’s a calm night, but dark.” Either “Could you elaborate?” or “What uproar?” Either “You don’t like politics?” or “You don’t care much for bureaucrats?” “What war was that?” “No wonder moonless nights make you jumpy.” “Now, may I visit the wireless room?” Enter wireless room. Select equipment. In any order (everything will work even if the power is not turned on yet but the lights won’t indicate if the dials are correctly set): Upper right: Turn on power Bottom left: Switch to “Trans”(Transmit) Bottom right: Turn wheel to 200KHz Then: Paddle: Type one letter (Ding!) (Yes, it only needs one letter) OK to leave Open map C-Deck, GS Purser 2, “I sent Mr. Thayer’s telegram.” Either 1, “Shall I tell the Thayers” or 2, “Where’s their cabin?” Click on book (Cargo Manifest) Flip 2 pages (Lemke & Buechner Shipping) ESC to leave office Return to purser 2, “I need to get into the cargo room.” 2, “Can I find the cufflink for you?” ESC to leave. Go down GS to D-deck Select left chair Pick up cufflink OK Go up GS to C-Deck Purser 2, “I found Mr. Strauss’s cufflink.” Take key. ESC Open map A-deck, GS Go to promenade through door straight ahead. Turn right, go downstairs to B-deck Turn right, go downstairs to C-deck Walk towards the forecastle, but turn right just before the stairs and go through door “to cargo hold” Turn right and go through two doors ESC from sailor convo Go down three bays and go into cargo area on right Select car Turn on lights OK (ESC will turn the lights off) Turn left, select Lemke crate ESC to skip CS Take painting Leave cargo hold (no quick-travel until past the sailor) Open Map C-Deck, GS Talk to smethers ESC Open map D-Deck, GS Go straight past Max, turn left and enter corridor through door Go straight down hall, turn at last left, go into first door on right Follow stairs and corridor, enter squash court Willi 3, “The colonel is correct…” (you could probably hit 2 just as well) 2, “My foil please.” Rapidly click “Start” until all five rounds are over in Willie’s favor. ESC Open map D-deck, GS Talk to Smethers (he gives you a ring) ESC Return to D-deck corridor Go to third bay of stateroom on left, D-19 Clara 1, “Do you recognize this ring?” 1, “What kind of notebook?” 1, “I don’t know.” 1, “I better keep it.” Open map F-Deck, 2CS Go to Penny’s cabin 4, “what do I do now?”

Part 4: The Notebook

Open map GS (Turkish bath) Talk to Morrow 3, “I know H is dead.” 2, “May I investigate?” 3, “Mind if I look around?” Go into baths Turn left before the faucet. Turn right at the end of the hall Step forward, click on Willi’s clothes. Take paper OK Open Map E-Deck, 2C Go through door, turn right. Turn right at coiled rope, click it. ESC Jack approaches about clue 1, “I’m looking for a clue.” 1, “Please.” ESC Open map B-Deck Go to Parisian Café Walk down to table where Zeitel left his pipe. Select table Take cigarettes. OK Open Map A-Deck, Aft GS Go around the stairs to the farther smoking room door (or else you’ll have to go around the whole smoking room). Talk to Max 3, “Is this your pack of Old Reds?” ESC Open Map F-deck, 2C stairs Go down to boiler control Solve the boiler control a second time. In the engine room, take stairs on left. Go up until Vlad initiates fight. ESC through dialogue Fight by clicking groin to kick then waist to uppercut. Alternate Kick/Uppercut until Vlad’s health is flashing Hold forward to automatically finish him. Go up the dummy stack. Go into the menu, hold Shift and click “Help” A screen will pop-up with the maze number, 1-4 (which maze is random). The solutions are

1. LRLR LRRLRR R
2. UPPLLL RLRR R
3. UL[R]RL RLLR L R
4. LLRR LLRR LR L ([R] means skip the first right ladder and go up the second) Click on the notebook ESC through dialogue and CS

This is the full base run

Part 5: The Endings

Any% Open cabin door, ESC through Penny’s dialogue Leave cabin, turn right Go up GS, turning left to get to portside boat deck exit on the right (the patch glitch does not affect the sinking ship). Turn left and go aft down the boat deck until stopped by the Gorse-Joneses. 1, “Yes, I’ll get on the boat.”

Worst% Open cabin door, ESC through Penny’s dialogue Leave cabin, turn right Go up GS to A-deck, turning right to on the side with the door to the lounge. Claris will bar the entrance. 1, “Willie’s dead.” 1, “Go up to the lifeboats.” She gives you a shawl. Go into the lounge and talk to Zeitel. 1, “Yes.” 1, “Whose life?” 1, “I don’t believe you.” 1, “Yes, I’ll help.” 1, “Take the painting.” Turn and leave the lounge the way you came. Turn left and go up the GS to the boat deck. Take the door on the right to exit the GS to the portside boat deck. Turn left and go aft down the boat deck until stopped by the Gorse-Joneses. 1, “Yes, I’ll get on the boat.”

Nuke% Open cabin door, ESC through Penny’s dialogue Leave cabin, turn right Go up GS to A-deck, turning right to on the side with the door to the lounge. Claris will bar the entrance. 1, “Willie’s dead.” 1, “Go up to the lifeboats.” She gives you a shawl. Go into the lounge and talk to Zeitel. 1, “Yes.” 1, “Whose life?” 1, “I don’t believe you.” 1, “Yes, I’ll help.” 1, “Take the painting.” Turn and leave the lounge the way you came. Go up the GS, turning right, to the boat deck. Take the door on the left to exit the GS to the starboard boat deck (to avoid activating the Gorse-Joneses). Go to the second-class stairs. Stair glitch Go to A-deck Turn and go up the stairs halfway. Turn and go down the stairs, arriving at F-Deck. Go down into the G-deck turbine room. Go down the first stairs off the catwalk to the left (if you go into boiler control, that’s too far) Talk to Vlad. 1, “Is he dead” 1, “I can get you into first class” 1, “Disguise yourself as a woman with this shawl.” 1, “You’re foolish.” 1, “The real necklace” 1, “I want the real necklace” Vlad trades the shawl for the necklace. Go back up the stairs to the catwalk and then up the second-class stairs. At the boat deck, turn right to exit onto the portside. Go fore down the boat deck until stopped by the Gorse-Joneses. 1, “Yes, I’ll get on the boat.”

Nazi% Open cabin door, ESC through Penny’s dialogue Leave cabin, turn right Go into cabin C-59 (opposite the left hallway) ESC through CS Take notebook Click on briefcase OK ESC through CS “Give up” Leave cabin, turn right to GS. Go up GS, turning right to on the side with the door to the lounge. Claris will bar the entrance. 1, “Willie’s dead.” 1, “Go up to the lifeboats.” She gives you a shawl. Go into the lounge and talk to Zeitel. 1, “Yes.” 1, “Whose life?” 1, “I don’t believe you.” 1, “Yes, I’ll help.” 1, “Take the painting.” Turn and leave the lounge the way you came. Go up the GS, turning right, to the boat deck. Take the door on the left to exit the GS to the starboard boat deck (to avoid activating the Gorse-Joneses). Go to the second-class stairs. Stair glitch Go to A-deck Turn and go up the stairs halfway. Turn and go down the stairs, arriving at F-Deck. Go down into the G-deck turbine room. Go down the first stairs off the catwalk to the left (if you go into boiler control, that’s too far) Talk to Vlad. 1, “Is he dead” 1, “I can get you into first class” 1, “Disguise yourself as a woman with this shawl.” 1, “You’re foolish.” 1, “The real necklace” 1, “I want the real necklace” Vlad trades the shawl for the necklace. Go back up the stairs to the catwalk and then up the second-class stairs. At the boat deck, turn right to exit onto the portside. Go fore down the boat deck until stopped by the Gorse-Joneses. 1, “Yes, I’ll get on the boat.”

Best% Open cabin door, ESC through Penny’s dialogue Leave cabin, turn right Go into cabin C-59 (opposite the left hallway) ESC through CS Take notebook Click on briefcase OK ESC through CS “Give up” Leave cabin, turn right to GS. Go up GS, turning right to on the side with the door to the lounge. Claris will bar the entrance. 1, “Willie’s dead.” 1, “Go up to the lifeboats.” She gives you a shawl. Turn and leave the lounge the way you came (do not go and talk to Zeitel). Go up the GS, turning right, to the boat deck. Take the door on the left to exit the GS to the starboard boat deck (to avoid activating the Gorse-Joneses). Go to the second-class stairs. Stair glitch Go to A-deck Turn and go up the stairs halfway. Turn and go down the stairs, arriving at F-Deck. Go down into the G-deck turbine room. Go down the first stairs off the catwalk to the left (if you go into boiler control, that’s too far) Talk to Vlad. 1, “Is he dead?” 1, “I can get you into first class” 1, “Disguise yourself as a woman with this shawl.” 1, “You’re foolish.” 1, “The real necklace” 1, “I want the real necklace” Vlad trades the shawl for the necklace. Go back up the stairs to the catwalk and then up the second-class stairs. At the boat deck, turn right to exit onto the portside. Go fore down the boat deck until stopped by the Gorse-Joneses. 1, “Yes, I’ll get on the boat.”

100% Open cabin door, ESC through Penny’s dialogue Leave cabin, turn right Go into cabin C-59 (opposite the left hallway) ESC through CS Take notebook Click on briefcase OK ESC through CS “Give up” Leave cabin, turn left to Aft GS. Go up Aft GS, turning left to reach A-deck on the side with the door to the smoking room. Enter the smoking room. Save game. Talk to Riviera Bet Rubaiyat for boat pass. Blackjack, Aces count as 10 unless the total is over 21, then they count as 1. If you lose book, reload. Leave smoking room. Go to door straight ahead (to lounge). Claris will bar the entrance. 1, “Willie’s dead.” 1, “Go up to the lifeboats.” She gives you a shawl. Go into the lounge and talk to Zeitel. 1, “Yes.” 1, “Whose life?” 1, “I don’t believe you.” 1, “Yes, I’ll help.” 1, “Take the painting.” Zeitel takes the painting in exchange for antidote. Talk to Zeitel again. 1, “You’ll never leave this ship alive.” 1, “Alright.” 1, “I’ll trade” Zeitel gives back the painting in exchange for boat pass. Turn and leave the lounge towards the GS (via Trask). Go around the GS to Sasha’s cabin, A-14. Talk to Georgia 1, “Here drink the antidote.” 4, “Get to the lifeboats now.” Return to GS. Go up, turning right, to the boat deck. Take the door on the left to exit the GS to the starboard boat deck (to avoid activating the Gorse-Joneses). Go to the second-class stairs. Stair glitch Go to A-deck Turn and go up the stairs halfway. Turn and go down the stairs, arriving at F-Deck. Go down into the G-deck turbine room. Go down the first stairs off the catwalk to the left (if you go into boiler control, that’s too far) Talk to Vlad. 1, “Is he dead” 1, “I can get you into first class” 1, “Disguise yourself as a woman with this shawl.” 1, “You’re foolish.” 1, “The real necklace” 1, “I want the real necklace” Vlad trades the shawl for the necklace. Go back up the stairs to the catwalk and then up the second-class stairs. Talk to Hackers on the stairs. They give you a letter. At the boat deck, turn left to exit to the starboard deck. Turn left and go one section towards the bow. Mrs. Conkling should be at the lifeboat. (If you take too long (there will be a CS and the music will change) go out the right door at the 2C stairs, the Conklings should be right there.) Talk to Mrs. Conkling 1, “The baby’s not yours” 1, “I have the letter and I’ll publish it.” She trades the letter for the child. Go back to the 2C stairs and go down to the Hackers. ESC At the boat deck, turn left and go down the boat deck until stopped by the Gorse-Joneses. 1, “Yes, I’ll get on the boat.”