[TAS] PSX Armored Core "100%, no aborts, in bounds" by The Brookman & Zinfidel in

This is a tool-assisted speedrun. For more information, see tasvideos.org/...
TAS originally published on 2022-12-29
Armored Core sees the player take on the role of a Raven: a mercenary who customizes and pilots a giant mecha (an Armored Core) to complete missions for powerful corporations in a dystopian future.
In this run, the TASers complete the game, but instead of taking the corporations' money ( tasvideos.org/... ), they actually do what they're tasked with, completing the game 100% without aborting any missions or stepping out of bounds.

[@Michael_Dominic]

Timespamps for missions 0:53-1:11 - Raven Test 1:40 - 2:11 - Eliminate Strikers 3:40 - 4:07 - Eliminate Squatters 4:35 - 5:11 - Destroy Unknown MTs 5:39 - 6:03 - Stop Security MTs 6:32 - 7:05 - Rescue Transport Truck 7:34 - 7:48 - Reclaim Oil Facility 8:16 - 8:42 - Eliminate Squatters (2) 9:10 - 9:37 - Remove Gun Emplacements 10:30 - 11:06 - Worker Robot Removal 11:37 - 11:50 - Terrorist Pursuit 12:20 - 14:02 - Stop Terrorist Threat 14:32 - 15:31 - Rescue Survey Team 16:00 - 17:04 - Destroy Fuel Depot 17:33 - 18:02 - Prototype MT Test 18:32 - 19:30 - Secret Factory Recon 20:00 - 20:22 - Guard Warf Warehouse 20:53 - 21:21 - Stop Gang, "Dark Soul" 21:50 - 22:10 - Destroy Plus Escapee 22:38 - 23:27 - Repulse Enemy Attack 24:00 - 25:04 - Destroy Security MT 25:33 - 26:10 - Prototype MT Test (2) 26:41 - 27:22 - Destroy Plane Computer 28:47 - 30:07 - Recover Capsule 30:37 - 33:02 - Destroy Base Computer 33:32 - 35:18 - Kill "Struggle" Leader 35:36 - 36:14 - AC Battle 36:44 - 39:52 - Stop Gas Exposure 40:22 - 42:27 - Remove Base Occupants 42:57 - 43:18 - Eliminate Intruders 43:47 - 44:34 - Destroy Space Catapult 45:03 - 45:44 - Retake Air Cleaner 46:27 - 46:50 - Chrome Uprising 47:21 - 49:21 - Mop Up Chrome Remnants (Giant MT) 50:35 - 52:34 - Mop Up Chrome Remnants (Sledge Hammer) 53:02 - 55:59 - Destroy Floating Mines 56:00 - 58:58 - Final Cutscene and Credits 59:50 - 1:00:08 - Guard War Warehouse (Steal Radar) 1:00:40 - 1:01:16 - Guard Factory Entrance 1:01:48 - 1:04:01 - Guard Freight Train 1:05:32 - 1:05:57 - AC Battle 1:06:26 - 1:07:33 - Guard Airplane 1:08:07 - 1:10:24 - Destroy Base Generator 1:10:58 - 1:13:01 - Capture Space Station 1:13:33 - 1:14:08 - Destroy "Justice" 1:14:42 - 1:17:02 - Release Organisms 1:17:43 - 1:19:13 - Exterminate Organisms (2) 1:19:43 - 1:20:28 - Exterminate Organisms (1) 1:21:12 - 1:24:25 - Attack Urban Center

[@ICountFrom0]

Given that this is 100% completion, what was the thought behind the routing? You didn't skip all the raven combat missions until latter when more powerful weapons would have cleared them faster. So I'm honestly guessing blind past that.

[@Michael_Dominic]

@@ICountFrom0 though behind the routing? skip raven combat missions? more powerful weapons? I appreciate your enthusiasm here. perhaps you'd like to elaborate more so as to enlighten me in regard to your thought process behind this question? it's only slightly unclear what you're really getting at. I fail to see how killing nearly everything relevant in one hit could be done faster, but please do try.

[@ICountFrom0]

That's my point, yes. I couldn't figure out why it was fast, or what would be faster.

[@Michael_Dominic]

@@ICountFrom0 well, generally, everything is done in order. the few points where there are branching missions, the one that is either required for the chosen branch, or the one that is more suited to the current set up is used. since blades are the strongest weapon in the game and even the default blade can kill nearly everything in one hit there isn't a point in avoiding things till later. it's possible to make small improvements to individual missions but that would be at the cost of time spent in garage changing parts, so usually a net loss or neutral at best.

[@ICountFrom0]

The swap time, THAT is what I didn't take into acount. Yup, I'm a total noob.

[@ecbrd8478]

I know it's far from saving any frames, but the customization immediately makes the TAS more engaging

[@Michael_Dominic]

Glad you approve. We had a pretty extensive discussion about its merits early on in production with the TASvideos staff and I decided it was fast enough to feature a few times and with Samus being as iconic as she is it was an easy pic. and of course the Blue Mario site mascot for branding

[@ah2190]

It's a speed/entertainment tradeoff which I feel makes it much better than it might had been if the A.C. was the default coloration, and was what drew me in to watch it in the first place.

[@Michael_Dominic]

@@ah2190 The things we do for speed. . . . ya I would have lost my mind staring at the default green the whole way through.

[@ICountFrom0]

See, if you had just said that it was required to fix the RNG in an optimal state, we would have belived you.

[@Michael_Dominic]

@@ICountFrom0 do you need a hug?

[@jasonpabstract4384]

Changing the ACs colors match Samus's suits was a nice touch!

[@Michael_Dominic]

thank you, Samus is such an iconic speed/TAS character it felt like a great way to showcase the games cosmetic system

[@pagannova3621]

@@Michael_Dominic alongside picking weapons that she would have used, or had projectiles like she'd use. a handgun for beam, rockets for missiles since rockets are the dumbfire, that pulse rifle firing the wave beam circle shot..amazing.

[@Fredcat11]

Not only that, they also put 16-bit Mario (from the game: "Mario 3") in the background. EDIT: Credited to Lasaga Man for point this out.

[@LasagaMan]

@@Fredcat11 *Mario 3 Mario

[@Fredcat11]

@@LasagaMan Thanks! Credited you for let me know.

[@Ryusuta]

"Look here, rookie. The Ravens are the best selection of mercenaries in the world. For someone to rise to the top of our ranks is a grueling process that could take you nearly 90 minutes to complete."

[@MisterMoray]

I NEVER knew Armored Core's gameplay could ever look this fast. Absolutely wild.

[@smollate1208]

imagine what AC6 gameplay would be :)

[@midorifox]

@@smollate1208 if it is anything like the last, it's going to be lame.

[@RenoKyrie]

@@midorifox Yeah, no one wants 5th Gen super clunky gameplay For Answer was a good game but i can see why people dont like the weightlessness of it(Hey, at least be happy its not Daemon X Machina level of Weightless, and that game was more unbalanced) Silent Line is easilly the best Classic Armored Core type game Nexus, Ninebreaker, Formula Front, and ESPECIALLY Last Raven are just, no we dont want them

[@midorifox]

@@RenoKyrie because Nexus didn't existed, right. Its not that it's either that last bullshit or the classics, if anything I'd like if they remade the classic games with the modern gameplay. Also "no one" go tell that to the people who play mech games with even clunkier controls schemes than AC 1

[@Ryusuta]

Adding the AC/icon customization to the route elevated it from being a great TAS to being an all-time classic.

[@Firstname_Lastname88]

Took a good few minutes before my buttcheeks unclenched after watching that remove worker robots mission.

[@joevaghn457]

This game is fairly massively compared to most other PS1 games. They really packed a LOT of code and data into that disc. More than a lot of other games probably attempted to do.

[@Guranberia]

This must be how Nine-Ball works. Nice work!

[@GreenZinfidel]

Imagine if the Nine-Balls in the final mission piloted like this TAS. Fighting would not even be an option - just running and hoping!

[@Michael_Dominic]

@@GreenZinfidel every time 9ball misses he just rewinds time till he hits. .. .

[@SonofTiamat]

This is how the Raven became Nine-Breaker

[@KromeLazarus]

Oh Jesus, Nineball.

[@x-Aku]

A blast from the past, I remember as a little kid playing this on a demo disk on my dad's ps1.

[@RegalZephyr]

I appreciate it as Raven's Nest decides to off you, they're still paying you for all the times you survive.

[@MalleusSemperVictor]

2023 will be the year of Armored Core

[@Allafif]

Very nice. I appreciate the detailed author's notes to follow what's actually happening as I watched.

[@Michael_Dominic]

I would have liked to make commentary for the video I just didn't have the energy lol. Glad you fund the notes tho, I tried to make those detailed enough without going over the top.

[@igodreamer7096]

That time Samus Aran piloted a giant Varia Suit! HAHAHHAHAHAHa

[@Michael_Dominic]

someone else suggested this was "Samus playing AC1 in downtime between bounties" and I thought that was perfect

[@KaceyTime]

just finished playing through this game for the first time last week, very happy to see this pop up so soon after.

[@Michael_Dominic]

with the AC6 announcement, it's a good time for Armored Core

[@KaceyTime]

@@Michael_Dominic 💯

[@Herbile7]

Oh hey! I recognize this run. I found it on its main channel back when it launched. It's neat to see it on the Tas Channel. These are fun to watch how silly they can get, or just how insanely quick an otherwise difficult game can be run.

[@lonergothonline]

I felt like the tas goal was to play AC as if it was zone of enders.

[@LtheOriginal]

Me clicking on the vid: "Surely that's just the lighting from an explosion, that's causing the machine to look yellow and whatever, but that still looks like Samus." Me a few minutes into the vid: Oh no, that IS meant to be Samus huh?

[@Qwerty10254]

That "large rocket" weapon is ABSURD, my lord

[@sadriposting]

ARMORED core TAS, we eating good

[@Michael_Dominic]

it was a great pleasure to submit this for publication the day AC6 was announced. Eating good indeed.

[@wat5713]

if you've ever seen the any% tas for this game it's very disappointing. This is awesome!

[@Michael_Dominic]

I was inspired to make this when I saw the any% TAS, so at least we can give it that much credit :)

[@GreenZinfidel]

FWIW I absolutely agree with you - this is the TAS AC deserves. I'm quite happy the any% provided the inspiration for this beauty though.

[@Masterho310]

I like how your armored core kinda looks like Samas Aran from Metroid.

[@Michael_Dominic]

that's the goal, varia suit, fusion suit, phazon suit.

[@Masterho310]

@@Michael_Dominic Sick bro. I'm gonna do these colors in AC6

[@Sonikman103]

Glad to know someone did a tas 100% version, now I’d just love to see the rest of the ps1 games get the same treatment as well!

[@Michael_Dominic]

Originally I wanted this movie to contain all 3 of the ps1 games I just had too much else going on so I decided to cut it down to just AC1. Not sure at this point if I'll go on to the others at this point tho it's not out of the question :D

[@Sonikman103]

@@Michael_Dominicwell that’s totally understandable lol. would definitely look forward to seeing it in the future if you decide to! I can only imagine how fast those arena battles would be lol

[@Michael_Dominic]

@@Sonikman103 if you check Zinfidel's channel he published a MoA "top 10" arena showcase that features some cool fights and interesting part choices. (here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omqXdKJ6g96pgNk )

[@chilbiyito]

Truly human+

[@SonofTiamat]

Dualshock 2 controller: *exists* From Soft: "Players still like using the shoulder buttons for aiming and strafing, right?" I know this is the first AC before the Dualshock was made, btw. That just always bugged me about AC 2 and 3

[@Michael_Dominic]

if it ain't broke, don't fix it

[@SonofTiamat]

@@Michael_Dominic It was fixed with AC 4, thankfully. For Answer played amazingly well

[@Zelinkokitsune]

@@SonofTiamat You mean Late Gen 3.

[@SonofTiamat]

@@Zelinkokitsune I only played AC 3. Did Silent Line have different controls?

[@abraham3673]

@@SonofTiamat Nexus and Last Raven, actually

[@atb1332]

systems enga- target achieved

[@ReifinDFanchon]

Wish I was this good at using rocket, but then again, I'm addicted to CAW-TITAN4 way too much.

[@AndersonWave17]

Kamui never even got a chance to fight out of that dropship lol

[@Michael_Dominic]

kamui is actually unique in that i am able to reduce his AP to 0 before he lands but he does not begin exploding until i hit him again after he is on the ground. otherwise he would have just popped on landing like you see some of the other targets do.

[@yoyoprofessorxavier]

9 ball be sweatin seeing this pilot in action lol

[@Michael_Dominic]

I took great pleasure in featuring 9B on screen for a total of ~8 frames

[@Sinebeast]

Amazing. Happy new year and Keep up the good work.

[@dreamland7661]

Luigi Screen/Samus Armor ❤❤❤

[@KromeLazarus]

I find it ironic that TAS bot play this game. If you get screwed in this game more than once, you practically turned into a Cyborg with better gear. It was a pretty smooth and hilarious run, it was so precise.

[@Michael_Dominic]

if you're quick, you'll notice around 0:39 I name the character H+ as a nod to the Human Plus features and the super human gameplay to come. I did consider what a H+ run would look like but in the end this made more sense.

[@TKUltra971]

I didn't think sticking it to Valkyrie was possible.

[@Michael_Dominic]

ya turns out the moonlight even more OP than most people think.

[@blendded6248]

People sleeping on the Megas XLR paintjob for the second build, smh

[@Coconut-219]

My mind went to fusion suit - but that makes more sense yeah.

[@Michael_Dominic]

ya it's fusion suit samus and the final change is phazon suit from prime. now i have to look up megas xlr tho oh ya, I can see that a little bit.

[@blendded6248]

@@Michael_Dominic Whoops, forgot that game existed 😅 But I guess it works out both ways lol

[@Atylonisus]

I! love! Giant Robots! YOU! love! Giant Robots!

[@ericdanielski4802]

Nice TAS.

[@samushunter242]

I love the Samus color scheme

[@josephjennings3146]

I came because of thumbnail. Super sick. Edit: garage also using the webinations mascot logo? O.o Edit: wrong mascot idea but it looked familiar and perhaps its dwango or something cannot recall where i seen that blue mario before.

[@TKUltra971]

Super mario as your decal. lmfao.

[@ICountFrom0]

9-Ball: Come no closer Raven: Okay. (wins anyway).

[@lenntrexler]

Well done!

[@jeremy7157]

this is crazy

[@phillholbrook9515]

What the heck was going on during the Guard Freight Train mission LOL

[@Michael_Dominic]

it is on a timer so i chose to wait it out by choreographing some shenanigans.

[@patnewbie2177]

I'm still surprised that a PS1 game allowed that level of customisation.

[@MBVTemjin]

Poor wildcat.

[@BrunoCortes1993]

OMFG YOU DID SAMUS ON ARMORED CORE!!!! :0

[@Michael_Dominic]

yes, yes I did :O

[@logananderon9693]

Human Plus Plus

[@qwicy]

27:00 is good. "Welcome to the battlefield - My battlefield."

[@Michael_Dominic]

that whole mission was one of my favorites. I was bummed to find out that Kamui (the AC deployed from the drop ship) can't be destroyed till after he lands, even if you reduce his health to zero. normally if a target is exploding when they land they pop instantly a la the "prototype MT" at 25:52

[@kookhwankim9781]

Tool-Assisted Samusrun

[@crankypipo]

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAA Do project phantasma next😋

[@Michael_Dominic]

the original goal was to create a "300% trilogy" TAS that completes all 3 games in a single movie :D idk if I will personally be doing that at this point though.

[@The_Raven_]

Nice been tryign to do this but fucking for + gym + flight school

[@TetsuNideji]

As someone who has extensively played almost all of the AC games (barring Formula Front and the PSP ports of FF, AC3, SLAC and LR), I am very interested in this (Edit) Fixed

[@MannyKunV]

TAS darkaeed 2 next please.

[@MealOnLegs]

Most of this makes sense knowing it's tool assisted, but even before upgrading the sword it seems they one-shot enemies with the sword that should take multiple hits. Am I missing damage being done to the enemies via friendly fire or fast shots, or is there a glitch that makes the sword stronger?

[@Michael_Dominic]

the swords have insane multipliers on them in the air, like 16x damage iirc (or maybe its 4x but it can hit multiple times or something, i dont remember 100%)

[@morgans.5190]

H+ 💪💪💪💪

[@smollate1208]

can you also do a speedrun on Arena pls? thank you!

[@H1tchh1k3r]

20:40 THE DARK SOUL OF MAN

[@Michael_Dominic]

Better pause if you want to catch that reference

[@smollate1208]

Holy cow its AC... can you do some moonlight moves pls

[@Michael_Dominic]

there's quite a few moonlights actually

[@smollate1208]

@@Michael_Dominic with wave

[@Michael_Dominic]

@@smollate1208 oh ya, no human plus this time 0:)

[@W.P.CDarkEvilLordBadassGamer]

Is that a hack version? How did someone did something like that? Well that’s a awesome hack on ps1

[@Michael_Dominic]

this is not a hack version. its TAS. if you don't know what that is you can visit the website in the description to learn more and find other awesome TAS completions in the ever expanding library.

[@melsgear]

Lmao more menus and loading screens than gameplay! Really dig Super Mario art btw 🎮

[@SuperMoogyD]

Half the fun of Armored Core is customizing your robot. The level of customization you got in this game was pretty dang extensive for the time. The other half of the fun of course is blowing up stuff.

[@Michael_Dominic]

there are 30 minutes of menu and loading and 52 minutes of mission gameplay. understandable that you could make that miscalculation tho :p I did publish a "mission only supercut" on my personal channel if that's more your speed ;)

[@timemine6107]

Pog

[@ericdanielski4802]

Absolutely.

[@SonofTiamat]

Zoomers still say that? I thought you guys were on to just posting skull emojis now

[@KAZZNORE]

Cool Boarders 3 pls pls

[@Michael_Dominic]

produce the TAS you wish to see on TASvideos

[@TeddyBelcher4kultrawide]

This game sucks and it’s a giant metal robot jock. Turn this off and watch robot jox

[@streighkaat]

Within the first 4 minutes of this TAS, it became my number 1 favorite TAS OF ALL TIME.

[@Michael_Dominic]