Submission Text Full Submission Page
The maker of Robotnik's Revenge and Sonic 1 and 2 has done it again: a delicious new hack named Sonic VR that sees Sonic go through 40 mini-levels that range in difficulty from trivially easy to maddeningly difficult -- all without rings, shields, power-ups or time limit. Each level is a mini-puzzle, and requires knowledge of the physics of Sonic games in order to win. With TAS abilities, Sonic blasts through these 40 levels, sometimes reaching the finish line before you can see what is going on.
Note: This is a TAS of a hack of a hack of Sonic 2; an IPS patch for the hack is available here.
Warning: If you haven't played the hack yet, I suggest you try it before watching the TAS.

Game objectives

  • Emulator used: Gens 11b + S2Camhack + SolidityViewer + (partial)HitboxDisplay + LUA HUD for Genesis Sonic games
  • Aims for fastest time (includes "No death" and "No damage")
  • Abuses programming errors in the game (a lot)

Comments

This hack really sounds best with Kega Fusion; the sound from Gens doesn't really do it justice. Try playing it on Kega; the music is so good you won't be sorry.
There aren't any places to zip; I managed to get into a few walls, ceilings and floors but none led to anything -- in most cases, Sonic just fell to his death, while in others, he zipped a few tiles and then fell to his death.
Level009.bin -- Casino Nightmare -- is a nightmare to TAS. I managed to do that clean exit by sheer luck my first time through. Luckly, I was recording and saved it, as I have been completely unable to reproduce it since: I wasted over 3000 rerecords on that last room alone while trying to do it again, after reaching the room 1 second earlier.
The hack is not very hex friendly -- there is random in-level lag, possibly due to either the ROM banking, the music, the background swapping or all of them. If you compensate for this lag (a boring chore), it will synch.
I could not find a timer of any sort -- so comparing level times (or even listing them) depends on an arbitrarily-defined starting and ending point for the level. I used the following Lua script to determine the length of any level:
local level_started = false
local first_frame = -1
local boringmodes = {0,4,0x10,0x14,0x18,0x1c,0x20,0x24,0x28}
function disable_hud()
	local mode = memory.readbyte(0xfff600)
	for _,m in ipairs(boringmodes) do
		if mode == m then
			return true
		end
	end
	if mode == 0x8c then
		local time = memory.readlong(0xfffe22)
		return not (time > 0 and time < 5)
	end
	return false
end

gens.registerafter(function()
	if level_started then
		if memory.readbyte(0xFFFFB000) == 0 and level_started ~= false then
			print(string.format("|level%03d|MODULE ERROR for `frames`: Missing parameter value for amount00:00.00|", level, movie.framecount() - first_frame))
			level_started = false
		end
	else
		if disable_hud() ~= true and memory.readbyte(0xFFFFB000) ~= 0 then
			if level == -1 then
				print("! Timetable\n||Level||Time||")
			end
			level = level + 1
			level_started = true
			first_frame = movie.framecount()
		end
	end
end)
The script times the length from the time you can first control Sonic to the time when you lose control of Sonic; while it might be slightly better to time the exact moment you touch the giant ring, you can still die up until the point I chose to base time on.
Running this script alongside the movie leads to the following times:

Timetable

LevelTime
level00000:02.68s
level00100:04.05s
level00200:05.78s
level00300:04.58s
level00400:00.53s
level00500:04.25s
level00600:04.13s
level00700:20.83s
level00800:02.93s
level00900:09.37s
level01000:04.05s
level01100:03.35s
level01200:04.00s
level01300:02.60s
level01400:07.63s
level01500:01.68s
level01600:01.88s
level01700:02.30s
level01800:08.77s
level01900:03.38s
level02000:05.83s
level02100:05.98s
level02200:10.10s
level02300:05.82s
level02400:06.47s
level02500:12.38s
level02600:06.68s
level02700:08.98s
level02800:03.82s
level02900:08.53s
level03000:05.03s
level03100:04.35s
level03200:24.28s
level03300:02.43s
level03400:09.98s
level03500:08.52s
level03600:16.97s
level03700:05.13s
level03800:06.75s
level03900:28.42s
Total04:45.27
From which it follows that level loading times, as well as the menus, take up 03:07.45.

Other comments

Thanks to Nitsuja and Upthorn for making the camera hack/solidity viewer, and thanks to ColinC10 for the hack. Thanks also goes for Sonic Retro and the Sonic Scene for making such hacks possible. Also, thanks to Noob Irdoh for suggesting pressing buttons early on in the menu screens.

Mukki: Judging...
Mukki: In these submissions both the run and the hack are to be judged. While most commented that the run itself was well made, the overwhelming majority of those that commented on the hack itself responded negatively. The problems cited were that the visual style was distracting and that the levels design did not make for a good TAS. My own opinion of this was a 'meh'; the music was great, but I am sympathetic to the problems outlined by other users (though I don't hold this opinion as strongly as the no voters), mainly I disliked that this hack took the large and non-linear levels that make Sonic TASes interesting and replaced them with the opposite. Either way, the response to this run falls short of the standard of approval required for a hack on this site. Therefore I am rejecting this submission.

TASVideoAgent
They/Them
Moderator
Joined: 8/3/2004
Posts: 14884
Location: 127.0.0.1
This topic is for the purpose of discussing #3296: marzojr's Genesis ColinC10's Sonic VR in 07:52.72
Editor
Joined: 3/31/2010
Posts: 1466
Location: Not playing Puyo Tetris
It's fast enough for me not to care.
When TAS does Quake 1, SDA will declare war. The Prince doth arrive he doth please.
Joined: 6/4/2009
Posts: 570
Location: 33°07'41"S, 160°42'04"W
You already know I'm voting a gigantic YES on this, I love this hack and I watched your WIPs, this is the best thing ever. Also thanks for thanking me )
Sir_VG
He/Him
Player (39)
Joined: 10/9/2004
Posts: 1911
Location: Floating Tower
You should remove the ROM link from your submission text and just include the name of the original game you used (per the rules).
Taking over the world, one game at a time. Currently TASing: Nothing
Joined: 6/4/2009
Posts: 893
this hack is short but sweet and i'm really impressed on how the music is so well rendered (better than most genesis games :/ ) even in Gens. i'll give a yes vote as a good concept Demo.... (the songs did make the difference )
Joined: 2/26/2007
Posts: 1360
Location: Minnesota
It was cool and all, but I was not that impressed with the hack. I am going to give this one a meh.
adelikat wrote:
I very much agree with this post.
Bobmario511 wrote:
Forget party hats, Christmas tree hats all the way man.
Joined: 5/29/2004
Posts: 757
I voted weak No. This was an incredibly unentertaining hack, bland backgrounds, poor design in some levels. There was the odd redeeming moment, and the awesome music ALMOST made it a Meh, but the whole file system garbage? That killed any hope there as it was a really poor implementation system and killed the momentum as it was so frequently we saw the screen. At least in most Sonic Games, the between level screen isn't often enough to annoy the viewer and make them want to throw a controller through the screen... imho. Mr. Kelly R. Flewin
Mr. Kelly R. Flewin Just another random gamer ---- <OmnipotentEntity> How do you people get bored in the span of 10 seconds? Worst ADD ever.
Joined: 7/17/2011
Posts: 16
Location: Brazil
Ugh... it's visually awful. They could at least use some colors, eh? That file system thing is really annoying too. But the music is entertaining enough and the TAS itself was quite fun to watch, so I'm voting yes.
GoddessMaria
She/Her
Reviewer, Experienced player (848)
Joined: 5/29/2009
Posts: 514
Location: Hell...
I must say that the run itself was well made, but the hack was rather bland and wasn't appealing. Though some of the glitches shown were pretty neat. I'll have to vote Meh.
Current projects: failing at life
marzojr
He/Him
Experienced player (749)
Joined: 9/29/2008
Posts: 964
Location: 🇫🇷 France
After Zeupar asked for it in IRC, I decided to post it here too: here is a dirty encode: Link to video
Marzo Junior
Joined: 5/2/2009
Posts: 656
...wow, this is easily one of the best hacks I've ever see. High concept stuff. Graphics simulating an VR setting. Awesome music. Fast game play. I couldn't give it anything but one of my strongest yes votes ever.
My first language is not English, so please excuse myself if I write something wrong. I'll do my best do write as cleary as I can, so cope with me here =) (ノಥ益ಥ)ノ
Joined: 7/16/2006
Posts: 635
Great run. Neat levels, a slick design aesthetic, and of course great TASing. Loved the level at 4:15.
Jungon
He/Him
Player (40)
Joined: 4/2/2009
Posts: 376
Location: Porto Alegre - Brazil
Couldn't get entertainment enough here too, the hack looks well made, and the technical quality is obvious, but ... I'll have to go with Meh, because some level look really impossible to a human, kind of like it was made to be a "only possible in TAS" case.... >.>
*Jungon*/*Johnnyz* smilie weirdo =P ^^ o.o @__@ +D
Editor, Experienced player (894)
Joined: 1/23/2008
Posts: 529
Location: Finland
A nice hack, and the action in general I found to be a bit more interesting than usual in Sonic games. Which isn't saying much because I'm not a big Sonic fan. But this is good enough for a yes vote.
Active player (432)
Joined: 4/21/2004
Posts: 3517
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
A bad looking hack with annoying interruptions with basically no entertainment for me. I voted no.
Nitrogenesis wrote:
Guys I come from the DidyKnogRacist communite, and you are all wrong, tihs is the run of the mileniun and everyone who says otherwise dosnt know any bater! I found this run vary ease to masturbate too!!!! Don't fuck with me, I know this game so that mean I'm always right!StupedfackincommunityTASVideoz!!!!!!
Arc wrote:
I enjoyed this movie in which hands firmly gripping a shaft lead to balls deep in multiple holes.
natt wrote:
I don't want to get involved in this discussion, but as a point of fact C# is literally the first goddamn thing on that fucking page you linked did you even fucking read it
Cooljay wrote:
Mayor Haggar and Cody are such nice people for the community. Metro City's hospitals reached an all time new record of incoming patients due to their great efforts :P
Joined: 12/20/2010
Posts: 28
I've never seen the hack, so for about the first minute I was wondering why he wasn't skipping the intro sequence to get to the title screen faster. Then I realized he was already playing the game. The level open and end transitions along with the music (at least for the first world) make it seem like the intro sequence to a really cool game. The kind of thing where you'd see these great clips of the action you're going to be experiencing. Once I figured out it was the actual game, though, the only lingering thought in my mind was "That's it?" I'm sure the hack is difficult and a good challenge in normal play, but as a TAS it doesn't seem like enough. Fans of the hack would probably appreciate it a lot more than I, but I just don't get the appeal of this run.
Joined: 5/30/2007
Posts: 324
Not only was the run extremely annoying to look at visually, but the run-through itself was not particularly impressive nor interesting, either! No tricks, clever strategies, glitches, nothing. For something like Sonic to resemble a decent SDA run is pretty bad. Combining horrible game choice with lackluster gameplay (not the fault of the runner himself, but rather, the stages not making for good TAS material), it's an easy No vote.
Editor, Experienced player (608)
Joined: 11/8/2010
Posts: 4012
Thanks for the encode, marzojr! Well, I have to say the levels don't have much variety or visual appeal, not to mention they look really easy (bad level design). I'm going to have to vote No.
Joined: 11/21/2006
Posts: 94
I really enjoyed playing this, but yeah, it doesn't exactly make for a good TAS... No vote. Disappointing to see how many people are saying the hack is bad just from watching this though. :(
Joined: 7/30/2011
Posts: 129
Location: Watching a TAS in the basement...
Don't agree with the whole "reject this movie because it isn't entertaining" mindset, but it doesn't matter, because I found this one pretty entertaining. Yes vote.
I am the future ruler of the world! My forum: http://elderyoshisisland.forumotion.com/
marzojr
He/Him
Experienced player (749)
Joined: 9/29/2008
Posts: 964
Location: 🇫🇷 France
Miles wrote:
Disappointing to see how many people are saying the hack is bad just from watching this though. :(
Yeah... even despite the fact that I explicitly suggested people play it before watching the TAS.
Marzo Junior
Joined: 2/26/2007
Posts: 1360
Location: Minnesota
I guess you weren't explicit enough for me. I watched the TAS like I watch many other TASes - without any previous knowledge of the game. I don't think I need to play the game in order to vote on the movie. The music was loud and made my ears bleed, the stages look like the ending sequences for a Kid Chameleon stage, and the movie (through no fault of the runner, but more the layout of the hack) doesn't look like a TAS, but rather, someone who has practiced these levels a lot. I don't think a Super Meat Boy TAS would be interesting, and I know a TAS of this hack is not interesting.
adelikat wrote:
I very much agree with this post.
Bobmario511 wrote:
Forget party hats, Christmas tree hats all the way man.
Spacecow
He/Him
Joined: 6/21/2004
Posts: 247
Location: New Hampshire
I enjoyed watching this. I like the deliberate "hacked-together" aesthetic and I'm all sorts of impressed by how well Anamanaguchi translates onto the Z80. Yes vote from me.
mklip2001
He/Him
Editor
Joined: 6/23/2009
Posts: 2224
Location: Georgia, USA
Nice work with this run! The game looks pretty fun to play (I haven't tried it). However, the hack's visual style is really distracting from the gameplay. It's cool that you can already start moving before the level screen has come up fully, but when the levels are completed as quickly as they are, this means a high percentage of the run is just watching screen transitions. It's a similar problem as the Knuckles Chaotix run this site has. I'm not voting, but it would probably be Meh. I think you did a nice job with the run, marzojr, but I'm not sure if the hack is run-worthy.
Used to be a frequent submissions commenter. My new computer has had some issues running emulators, so I've been here more sporadically. Still haven't gotten around to actually TASing yet... I was going to improve Kid Dracula for GB. It seems I was beaten to it, though, with a recent awesome run by Hetfield90 and StarvinStruthers. (http://tasvideos.org/2928M.html.) Thanks to goofydylan8 for running Gargoyle's Quest 2 because I mentioned the game! (http://tasvideos.org/2001M.html) Thanks to feos and MESHUGGAH for taking up runs of Duck Tales 2 because of my old signature! Thanks also to Samsara for finishing a Treasure Master run. From the submission comments:
Shoutouts and thanks to mklip2001 for arguably being the nicest and most supportive person on the forums.
skychase
He/Him
Joined: 3/25/2007
Posts: 212
Location: Quebec, Canada
I'd prefer a "S3K the challenges" run but yes vote because the last levels are just f**king hard