(First of all, I am aware that there's a similar topic
here, though it focuses on Shiru's TAS, so I decided to make a new topic. These two topics should perhaps be merged.)
I've been TASing this game lately, and I so far I've improved
Shiru's run by 6.93 seconds. If I'm lucky, I can break the 14 minute mark. There are mainly 3 reasons why I've shaved off time from Shiru's TAS:
1. Better health management, in particular picking up more hearts along the way so I can take more damage, even if the hearts are slightly off track. This is much faster than dying to regain 3 hearts, which was suggested in Shiru's submission discussion.
2. Attacking in air when falling down will instantly set your Y speed to 4, which is the highest value. This is useful when you want to fall down as fast as possible. Shiru's was kind of aware of this trick, but didn't use it to its full potential.
3. Using the 3-rock weapon on bosses. This weapon deals 3 damage per shot, compared to 1 with the other weapons. I use this to kill the second boss really fast. For this reason, if it's possible, it's worth getting this weapon even if it's slightly off track.
I've stopped the movie on the second ghost fight. I have 2 more health than Shiru at this point, and these 2 extra health will save a lot of time later on. Please let me know what you think of the first ghost fight, or if you have any ideas or suggestions on health management.
Here's the input file.
EDIT (2011-12-11): 826 frames, 13.77 seconds, in total gained at the end of the level, thanks to taking damage at some spikes and killing the boss with the 3 rock weapon.
New input file. I think sub-14 is definitely possible.
EDIT 2 (2011-12-11): Well, I've been working hard on this all day, and I'm now more than half way through the game, being 25.27 seconds ahead of Shiru, thus breaking the 14 minute mark.
Input file.
EDIT 3: Wow, a lot of edits in one day! I hope no one minds. I'm about 80% through the game now. I'm now 45.65 seconds ahead of Shiru, and there will be more time saved later on, since I have 3 health compared to Shiru's 1. I'm very happy with the health management in the run, it'll turn out very nice in the end. I'll probably finish the run sometime next week.
Input file.