SM: Limit blind run w/ commentary

2009-02-26 04:24:18 am

Approved by this guy!

Hi! I'm a long time visitor (to the site, not the forums), but first time poster. I've been making a runthrough video of SM: Limit with commentary. I've never played the hack before and I'm not looking up any walkthrus or anything (so please don't give me any spoilers!), and I'd like any opinions/suggestions/feedback on what I've done so far. (I accidentally left the mouse onscreen during the first part of the first one, but it gets moved before serious gameplay begins.)

I hope this is the right forum to post this. Thanks!

Thread title:

Quietus

2009-02-26 05:07:20 am

Super Secret Area - Dead Ahead!

The run seems acceptable, but I'm dubious as to it being a first run. (You're probably used to doubters here Razz

)

It just looked like you reacted a little too quickly when shooting the Metroids at the start, and found the correct route without fully exploring some of the rooms, which, while possible, is still unlikely.

I do like the idea of never-played runs through some hacks. I'd be concerned as to the lengths of some of them, though. Take Redesign, for example. It's generally regarded as the best hack available at the moment, and I doubt that on a first playthrough you'd get anywhere below about 15 hours. Using 10-minute videos on Youtube, that'll be a minimum of 90 videos... Shocked

tomatobob

2009-02-26 07:01:39 am

One shall stand, one shall ball.

The bits where you were messing with the menu should have been cut out as you noted in the video, though it was a bit more interesting than the game's intro considering how many times I've seen it. And it didn't last long so meh. The commentary seems alright, sounds informative enough for people who might not be familiar with the game.

I will suggest that you avoid adding music over the game though, granted it's nothing many of us haven't heard a million and one times, but it's nice to hear and the mixed in music really drowns things out. The game's got some nice sound, no need to take away from it.

I'd also suggest finding an alternate video host, Youtube isn't too bad anymore, but the ten minute limit kind forces you to break up the videos quite a bit, Viddler doesn't have a time limit as far as I know, just a size limit. So you might want to look into mirroring your videos there, that way people will have the option to view parts of the run in longer segments if they have the time.

The bits where you were messing with the menu should have been cut out as you noted in the video, though it was a bit more interesting than the game's intro considering how many times I've seen it. And it didn't last long so meh. The commentary seems alright, sounds informative enough for people who might not be familiar with the game.

I will suggest that you avoid adding music over the game though, granted it's nothing many of us haven't heard a million and one times, but it's nice to hear and the mixed in music really drowns things out. The game's got some nice sound, no need to take away from it.

I'd also suggest finding an alternate video host, Youtube isn't too bad anymore, but the ten minute limit kind forces you to break up the videos quite a bit, [url=http://www.viddler.com/]Viddler[/url] doesn't have a time limit as far as I know, just a size limit. So you might want to look into mirroring your videos there, that way people will have the option to view parts of the run in longer segments if they have the time.

ryu

2009-02-26 09:29:58 am

Part ten was hilarious. rofl

Kejardon

2009-02-26 03:13:00 pm

Embarrasing Fact: Power suit made by lowest bidder

Still watching through them (just started part 10), but a vital tip for wall-jump mid-air-morphing:
Wall jump away from the wall, hold jump and left, press down, and you will instantly morph without having to aim down first. THEN turn around and get into whatever hole you're aiming for. Or in other words, after the wall jump do a half-circle on the d-pad.

Bioniclegenius

2009-02-26 07:46:05 pm

Fear Me! (Or else...)

One thing I noticed with the ice beam was, it would have been easier if you merely stood (morphed) on the edge, and while the water was off, bomb yourself over like you did with the platform before it laugh new

. Your commentary was funny, especially when you first found out those were crumbling blocks grin new

. I've never played this hack, but it does look good! Oh, and ironically, I actually recognize most of the remixes you were doing. Such as the 'Dimstar' remix, and the 'Kindred' remix. I have both of those on my mp3 player lol laugh new

.

MisterKerr

Edit history:

MisterKerr: 2009-02-27 03:37:24 am

2009-02-27 03:31:05 am

Approved by this guy!

Thanks for your comments so far! I've added some more now: from fighting Kraid to a horrible run in Maridia to a surprisingly quick fight with the Golden Torizo. Loved loved loved the Speed Booster escape! I still need to find the Spazer and Space Jump, as well as about six more energy tanks and hopefully some more Super Missiles.

Regarding the music: in the first few segments it was a little overbearing: I tried to adjust the balance in later segments. Also, I may upload the whole thing to Viddler or somewhere once I'm done with it and splice it together, but I want to concentrate on finishing it first! Thanks for the mid-air morph tip; with some practice I'll be able to pull it off better.

Keep watching! Part 38 contains one of the saddest things I've seen: Ridley grabbing a crystal-flashing-Samus and impaling her poor unprotected body with his tail.

ryu

2009-02-27 04:01:58 pm

Btw, your commentaries as a whole were horrible. It started off quite okay, as it was kind of interesting listening to your thoughts on the hack, and you indirectly introducing yourself (you often talked about "those speedrunners" and how you played SM; that's how you gave the audience an image of the kind of (Metroid-)gamer you are).

However it went down the drain quite quickly, as you got into the habit of talking for the sake of talking. The best examples probably are those parts where you were singing lines you pulled straight out of your ass. That was a pain to listen to. >_<

If you're serious about this, you might consider to add comments afterwards, by watching your own segments, taking notes of the parts you think worthy of commentary, and writing a script.

Thought-through comments only at points where they're making sense > Comments you pulled straight of the blue, not giving them much thought.

Obviously this method would take some effort and would be considered being work, though obviously, that's just how it is to contribute really good and entertaining stuff.
So I wouldn't blame you if you're just doing it for your sake, without caring too much about the commentary's qualities.

Btw, your commentaries as a whole were horrible. It started off quite okay, as it was kind of interesting listening to your thoughts on the hack, and you indirectly introducing yourself (you often talked about "those speedrunners" and how you played SM; that's how you gave the audience an image of the kind of (Metroid-)gamer you are).

However it went down the drain quite quickly, as you got into the habit of talking for the sake of talking. The best examples probably are those parts where you were singing lines you pulled straight out of your ass. That was a pain to listen to. >_<

If you're serious about this, you might consider to add comments afterwards, by watching your own segments, taking notes of the parts you think worthy of commentary, and writing a script.

Thought-through comments only at points where they're making sense [size=20pt]>[/size] Comments you pulled straight of the blue, not giving them much thought.

Obviously this method would take some effort and would be considered being [i]work[/i], though obviously, that's just how it is to contribute really good and entertaining stuff. 
So I wouldn't blame you if you're just doing it for your sake, without caring too much about the commentary's qualities.

MisterKerr

2009-02-27 08:19:09 pm

Approved by this guy!

Yeah, I guess using the word "commentary" is kind of a misnomer, since that implies somebody who is well-acquainted with the game is giving little-known insights about it. With this I guess I'm more trying to recreate that feeling that people get when they play through Super Metroid (or a hack) the first time, with all the inherent frustrations and triumphs. That's why segment 8 is probably more interesting as a commentary itself: I did it afterward. However, the point of a blind run commentary isn't to dissect the game, but to get an overall feel for it, and maybe help designers put out an enjoyable hack. Certainly parts where I'm venting a lot of frustration trying to pull off a difficult move would be more useful to watch for a designer than watching a video where somebody who's played the game ten times before blows through it with no problem (even if it is accompanied by a "This was pretty tough the first time I played" comment).

Also, as time went on I had to concentrate a little more on gameplay when the game got more difficult, and it's hard to come up with interesting things to say when you're trying to pull off precision moves. If somebody wants to do a more neutral and planned commentary on this blind run later they are certainly welcome; I may do one myself at some point in the future. But for now this has turned into more of a raw emotional experience than anything calculated, so please try to enjoy it on at least that level.

Yeah, I guess using the word "commentary" is kind of a misnomer, since that implies somebody who is well-acquainted with the game is giving little-known insights about it. With this I guess I'm more trying to recreate that feeling that people get when they play through Super Metroid (or a hack) the first time, with all the inherent frustrations and triumphs. That's why segment 8 is probably more interesting as a commentary itself: I did it afterward. However, the point of a blind run commentary isn't to dissect the game, but to get an overall feel for it, and maybe help designers put out an enjoyable hack. Certainly parts where I'm venting a lot of frustration trying to pull off a difficult move would be more useful to watch for a designer than watching a video where somebody who's played the game ten times before blows through it with no problem (even if it is accompanied by a "This was pretty tough the first time I played" comment).

Also, as time went on I had to concentrate a little more on gameplay when the game got more difficult, and it's hard to come up with interesting things to say when you're trying to pull off precision moves. If somebody wants to do a more neutral and planned commentary on this blind run later they are certainly welcome; I may do one myself at some point in the future. But for now this has turned into more of a raw emotional experience than anything calculated, so please try to enjoy it on at least that level.

Kejardon

2009-02-27 09:43:12 pm

Embarrasing Fact: Power suit made by lowest bidder

There's a decent chance I'm in the far minority, but I really like commentated blind runs, just as much as commentated runs by people that know the game inside and out. There are the dry spots where there's nothing interesting to say with blind runs, but that's more the fault of the game than the commentator (Speedup is nice for those spots though).
But I definitely have to agree with no more singing.

MetroidMst

Edit history:

MetroidMst: 2009-02-28 01:46:31 am

2009-02-28 01:27:40 am

Go ahead. Stare.

So far it has been fun. (Up to video 7 so far.) You have aptly described thyself as an "average" player, no offense intended but if you had said good Metroid player my jaw would've dropped at your ineptitude sometimes. I think it is a good thing actually to watch your troubles, because sometimes I forget the average player has a hard time pulling off what I consider simple stunts. Now, most of them are simple, and I think you would do well to learn them, and maybe you do later on, but I find it very entertaining to watch for now. I kook forward to watching the whole the thing and I will give an critiques here if I come up with any.

(PS: Hopefully you do some more Metroid hacks!)

Now I have something for you. Mid-air-Morphing isn't very hard off of a walljump. If you jump off to the left, keep holding left and push down. You only need to do it once because Samus Morphs at that point, and then you can go left/right depending on the situation. Takes a little practice, but not that hard and well worth it.

So far it has been fun. (Up to video 7 so far.) You have aptly described thyself as an "average" player, no offense intended but if you had said good Metroid player my jaw would've dropped at your ineptitude sometimes. I think it is a good thing actually to watch your troubles, because sometimes I forget the average player has a hard time pulling off what I consider simple stunts. Now, most of them are simple, and I think you would do well to learn them, and maybe you do later on, but I find it very entertaining to watch for now. I kook forward to watching the whole the thing and I will give an critiques here if I come up with any.

(PS: Hopefully you do some more Metroid hacks!)

Now I have something for you. Mid-air-Morphing isn't very hard off of a walljump. If you jump off to the left, keep holding left and push down. You only need to do it once because Samus Morphs at that point, and then you can go left/right depending on the situation. Takes a little practice, but not that hard and well worth it.

MisterKerr

2009-07-24 06:43:56 pm

Approved by this guy!

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but I finally finished this run-through. It ended up not being completely blind (as I glitched to get the plasma beam) but for the most part it was.

Comments? Has this been fun, educational, or merely tedious?

MetroidMst

2009-07-25 08:48:12 pm

Go ahead. Stare.

Your commentary is good and for the most part your playing is fun. But you very maddingly don't seem to know little details that would help out a lot. IBJs are very easy once the you get the timing down. During the one speed boost jump into Maridia you should've realized you can take off Hi-Jump to make a jump lower and miss hitting the ceiling.

It was fun to watch, and you have good comments. Just work on getting some of the little tricks down and you will be much better at it since you will keep the game rolling along better.

DonnyDonovan

2009-07-25 08:50:25 pm

Quote:

IBJs are very easy once the you get the timing down.

As someone who has improved a lot over the years by learning many of the "little tricks," I just can't agree with this. I've tried to learn. I really have. But I still pretty much suck at them.

On topic: I'm enjoying the run. It reminds of me of when I played Limit the first time. It was the second hack I ever played (after Legacy), and, like you, I struggled mightily at times, and I actually discovered the plasma beam glitch on my own quite by accident. Watching someone play who has no idea where to go is maddening at times but also entertaining, and I like your commentary a great deal.