Mega Man X2 is an interesting game to TAS, due to the various functions of weapons that do more than just destroy enemies. Making a TAS of this game is not easy, because many actions must be done at the exact frame. All this dashing, jumping, and grappling lead to a fast-paced action TAS that is interesting even for me to watch.
The secret weapon known as the shoryuken (rising dragon punch) can only be gotten by first obtaining all other items and upgrades in the game. Although time is spent gathering these items, the shoryuken's one-hit kill capability makes up for all this. Getting the shoryuken may be the fastest possible way to complete the game, although no one has tried a no-items run or a run obtaining only the X-Buster upgrade.
The emulator used is Snes9x 1.43 Improvement (patched version) and uses WIP1 timing.
Aims
(from highest to lowest priority):
- Uses no passwords
- Aims for fastest completion
- 100% items (excludes Zero parts)
- Abuses programming errors in the game
- Takes damage to save time
- Manipulates luck
Programming errors abused
- Dashing and shooting an uncharged X-Buster shot does 2 damage to enemies when it would do 1 otherwise.
- Shooting while charged (and remaining charged). I do this once - against Wheel Gator.
- Dash-charging with the Ride Armor while close to an edge allows you to jet forward at charging speed, faster than normal.
Notes on weapons
- X-Buster: X's standard weapon. I use this to kill enemies (non-bosses) a lot. With the glitch mentioned above, it does a lot of damage in a short time and is easy to switch out.
- Strike Chain: Grapples onto walls.
- Spin Wheel: Allows charging while weapon is still on-screen.
- Bubble Splash: When charged, powerful (but lag-inducing) bubbles surrounds X and allow high and fast underwater jumping.
- Speed Burner: When charged, allows a fast mid-air dash. Makes X invincible during use, except when underwater.
- Silk Shot: Destroys enemies (non-bosses) even faster than X-Buster, but hard to switch out.
- Remote Mine: Can stick to walls. Charged form is slow enough to deliver multiple hits.
- Crystal Hunter: Turns some enemies into crystals that X can stand on.
- Sonic Slicer: Stays on-screen long enough to make delayed hits on bosses, but that's all I can say.
- Shoryuken: Does 16 damage non-flashing (8 damage flashing) and 8 damage every two frames thereafter. It is an awesome one-hit kill weapon.
Why over half the weapons start with S is beyond me. :)
I hope you enjoy the run.
Thanks to Blechy for inspiration and Blechy and DeHackEd for tips.
Bisqwit: Updated the submission for changed nickname.
DeHackEd: It's popular. It's being made into an AVI.