Post subject: Sonic 3 and Knuckles: "SSSSSS" Run
BigBoct
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This is an idea I had for a challenge run a while ago, and I think I'm going to bite the bullet and try to do it myself. I'd like a challenge in my life aside from my job, and that's more a question of endurance than an actually challenge. Stipulations are as follows:
  • Play as Sonic alone
  • Use Debug Mode
  • May not enter item-placing mode
  • All aerial maneuvering must be accomplished by using the Debug Mode's "Reverse Gravity" function (Button A), similar to the indie game VVVVVV.
  • As per VVVVVV, cannot reverse gravity in midair (no building up insane vertical momentum. Also, it trivializes the challenge when combined with tool-assistance.)
  • Sonic may jump ONLY if he is on an object which he cannot otherwise escape from. (some objects, such as the barrels in Carnival Night Zone, will simply flip you to the opposite surface when you reverse the gravity.)
  • Any% run aside from those stipulations (no jumping means no transforming.)
Does anyone see any problem with these stipulations?
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Patashu
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How about adding "takes no damage", since the lack of losing rings in debug mode would make damage abuse seem cheap?
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BigBoct
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I have no idea what you're talking about. I've played the game through under these conditions before, and you can most definitely lose your rings when hit.
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I think it's a pretty stupid idea. I'll happily watch the run and any WIPs if posted.
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I don’t like the idea too… Sorry.
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The objectives is a little weird. You are replacing the reverse gravity by the jumps, plus you do not want to use it in the air. That may be a problem as there may be areas where you need to cross at least with one jump. In order to use debug mode has to first apply the level select trick, and that is done quickly with Knuckles in Angel Island, pressing: left, left, left, right, right, right, up, up, up, holding on the first string. Besides that after that you have to play Mushroom Hill, with Sonic and do the same on another rope. I not see it as an idea that appeals to many people, not bad, but seeing Sonic descends suddenly up or down would see it as confusing. I may also be wrong. I dont know what are thinking other users. Maybe you could surprise me.
Patashu
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boct1584 wrote:
I have no idea what you're talking about. I've played the game through under these conditions before, and you can most definitely lose your rings when hit.
You might be correct. I only know how the debug mode works in the PC version of Sonic 3 and Knuckles, and it made it impossible to lose rings.
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marzojr
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If you play the game like this, you will be unable to complete the game: any time you reach the top boundary of the level will kill you under reverse gravity, and there is at least one level -- Lava Reef 2 -- which you won't be able to complete unless you loosen up the restrictions. the boss fights are liable to be interesting :-p But if you want to play like this, you may consider TASing S3&K: The Challenges, which has some levels like this.
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BigBoct
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Okay, marzojr makes a good point. What if I stipulate that I can reverse gravity up to a set number of times in the air? I would think once in midair (to land back on the ground) would be sufficient.
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With reversed gravity most solid objects do not work as solid ones, simply because they were not designed for such player's position. The gameplay will be extremely glitchy, I think. And I still do not like the idea, why need so weird strategy? Why not to try other goals, like 100% kills, pacifist version, or to make a usual speedrun with Tails?
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boct1584 wrote:
Okay, marzojr makes a good point. What if I stipulate that I can reverse gravity up to a set number of times in the air? I would think once in midair (to land back on the ground) would be sufficient.
While it changes the nature of the challenge and I think it has a poor chance of being published, what if you only allowed yourself two gravity reversals at a time-- once to leave the ground and a second time to return to it? I don't know how the mechanics of spindashing works after reversing gravity, but you may even be able to beat bosses this way. Although gameplay will be 90% the same as a typical run, maybe something interesting will come of it.
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Too random for my taste.
BigBoct
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That restriction sounds like it'll work. Before I get started in earnest, one thing I haven't quite figured out yet. How do you determine which character you get when you enter a level from the Sound Test? EDIT: Another few restrictions I think I'm going to place on myself. No abuse of vertical screen wrapping (although I don't know if you can do that without jumping anyway,) and no zipping of any kind. I want to show off as much of each level as I can.
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Patashu wrote:
How about adding "takes no damage", since the lack of losing rings in debug mode would make damage abuse seem cheap?
I guess taking no damage makes it even more VVVVVVier. This category is dumb. So dumb, in fact, that would be awesome.
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