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Any% [Wussy, No Cheats] is the main competitive speedrunning category of River City Ransom EX. Almost three years later, this is still the run I'm happy with. With new GUI and full text commentary (below the gameplay window), here is the world record in full.
NOTE: This video was edited in order to spruce up the GUI surrounding the gameplay footage. I did not edit the run itsef in any way, and the run as it happened on my livestream is available as a highlight on my SeireaSong Twitch channel.
RCREX Speedrunning Discord: https://discord.gg/TsKZK5gb9k
FAQ:
Q - What is Any% [Wussy, No Cheats]?
A - It means "beat the game as quickly as humanly possible in the game's most unaltered state." This means the runner CANNOT use save files with pre-strengthened characters, change in-game Options, or enter the game's Name cheats (like DAMAX and PLAYA). Wussy Mode is automatically the fastest way to win.
Q - But aren't you using a character from a save file?
A - It's the vanilla Alex, provided at the beginning of any playthrough, simply saved into its own slot for more mobile use. I show that the character is completely unaltered at the beginning of the video, and the name I input here has absolutely no added effect on the game.
Q - So, then why are you using a glitch? Isn't that a cheat?
A - This is an age-old ongoing debate that arises often outside the speedrunning community. The general consensus from speedrunning pantheons: glitch use and cheating are separate things. This is because the discovery and perfected utilization of glitches requires skillful and clever use of the game in its raw form, whereas "cheating" is a deceitful practice used to lie about achieved runs via video splicing, tool assistance, and other things.
Q - Why do you keep jumping out of rooms?
A - The max aerial speed is faster than the running speed you start with! So, I’m saving time whenever I jump without having to be stopped by landing.
Q - What platform are you playing on? Is it emulator?
A - Yes, Visual Boy Advance. I used to play on console, but a discovery by IceAge70 meant that save states could be used to remove a horrific luck-based part of the run. The same thing can be done on console as well, it's just more convenient to have a save state for grinding purposes. I anticipate that might be cause for discussion in the future, and I address that in text after the run finishes in this video. I'm playing on my laptop, because it has no input lag.
Q - Why aren't you using Ryan as a CPU teammate?
A - While an ally can help defeat enemies faster sometimes, they get in the way FAR more often. Also, gang patterns tend to be far more predictable and speedrun-friendly when you are their only target. So, despite the fact that the best possible time with an AI partner is probably better, fighting alone is MUCH nicer for consistency and sanity.
Q - Why are you using the same move over and over? It looks lame.
A - The only goal of a speedrun is to go as fast as possible! Swag doesn't win you points on the leaderboard!
Q - Why don't you do [insert idea here] instead?
A - Good question! Though I've made many discoveries and developments with this speedgame, it's possible we're missing something! So PLEASE, I would be THRILLED if you try this out for yourself, using any method you want!! Tweet at me with your findings and PBs at @seireasong, or message Seirea on speedrun.com!
Q - What's the point of this?
A - Speedrunning is a fun and extremely challenging way of adding replay value to your all-time favorite games, or any game at all! The first time I tried speedrunning RCREX in 2015, no speedruns existed on the official speedrun.com leaderboards, so I had to create the page myself. I left it for years and forgot all about it. Then Redd92 beat my world record, and once I found out, I felt a brand new competitive fire! It motivated me to create entirely new routes for categories like this, so I could experience new challenges with one of my favorite games ever. It's been indescribable fun, and destroying the game like this after it beats you down feels absolutely otherwordly.