The Henry Stickmin Collection: A Definitive 100% Speedrun Guide

What's up, speedrunners and fans of chaotic brilliance? Today, we're diving headfirst into a true test of endurance and precision: a 100% speedrun of The Henry Stickmin Collection. Forget just beating the game; we're talking about nabbing every single ending, experiencing every hilarious fail state, collecting every bio, and unlocking every achievement. This is a massive undertaking, and believe me, it's going to be a marathon, not a sprint. If you're here to witness the ultimate completion of this beloved series, you've come to the right place.

What Exactly is a 100% Speedrun?

In the world of speedrunning, a "100%" category means completing every significant objective within a game. For The Henry Stickmin Collection, this translates to achieving every possible ending across all six games, witnessing all the unique fail states that make this series so iconic, and unlocking every in-game bio. It’s about pushing the game to its absolute limits, not just to finish quickly, but to finish *completely*.

The Henry Henry Stickmin Collection: A Masterpiece of Mayhem

Developed by PuffballsUnited and brought to life on Steam, The Henry Stickmin Collection is a masterful compilation of the classic Flash-era choose-your-own-path adventures. This isn't just a simple remaster; it's a revitalization. The collection includes Breaking the Bank, Escaping the Prison, Stealing the Diamond, Infiltrating the Airship, and Fleeing the Complex, all reanimated with updated visuals and sound. But the crown jewel is the brand-new, never-before-seen final game: Completing the Mission, a chapter three times larger than any before it.

The core gameplay loop is simple yet brilliant: present a scenario, offer two choices, and watch the hilarious (or sometimes tragically epic) consequences unfold. As the game description puts it perfectly:

"Correct choices will move the story forward, but incorrect choices lead to a fail. If you get to the end on your first try, you’re doing it wrong. Failing is half the fun."

This philosophy is exactly what makes a 100% speedrun so engaging. We’re not just optimizing for speed; we're curating a path through the chaos, ensuring we see every single outcome the developers meticulously crafted.

Breaking the Bank: The Genesis

Our journey begins with Breaking the Bank. This is where the signature style of Henry Stickmin first burst onto the scene. For a 100% run, we need to explore the different entry methods and the subsequent choices. Early on, you'll encounter the classic dilemma of choosing between a Teleporter or calling your trusty (and often bewildered) companion, Charles. Each path branches into numerous possibilities, many leading to spectacular failures.

In my experience, the key here is understanding the prerequisites for certain endings. Some require specific items or sequences of choices that might not be immediately obvious. It's all about trial and error, refined into a repeatable sequence.

Escaping the Prison: Early Strats

Next up is Escaping the Prison. This installment ramps up the complexity and the sheer number of potential outcomes. You'll face choices like using a Grappling Hook or a Drill. Each selection opens up entirely new scenarios. The sheer variety of fails in this game is legendary, and hitting them all requires meticulous planning and quick execution.

Remember, the goal isn't just to escape, but to explore every facet of the prison and its surroundings. This means deliberately choosing the "wrong" path multiple times to trigger unique failure animations and story beats.

Stealing the Diamond: Route Planning

Stealing the Diamond presents Henry with a new challenge: infiltrating a heavily guarded museum. This section introduces more complex environments and puzzles. Choices here involve different approaches to bypassing security, such as using a Grappling Hook again, but in a more sophisticated context, or employing stealth.

For a true 100% run, mapping out the routes that lead to different endings – including the various ways you might get caught or inadvertently cause chaos – is crucial. It’s a puzzle within a puzzle.

Infiltrating the Airship: Navigational Challenges

Prepare for verticality in Infiltrating the Airship. This game tasks Henry with boarding and taking control of a massive airship. The choices become more action-oriented, involving explosives, gadgets, and quick thinking. You’ll need to decide whether to go in guns blazing or attempt a more subtle infiltration.

This is where the concept of *skips* in speedrunning might seem counterintuitive to a 100% run. However, for completion, we're not skipping content; we're optimizing the path to see *all* the content. This might involve specific sequences to unlock a particular ending quickly before resetting for the next.

Fleeing the Complex: Advanced Techniques

Welcome to the high-security W.I.C.U. base in Fleeing the Complex. This game introduces even more intricate puzzles and a higher stakes environment. Choices involve navigating treacherous facilities, dealing with guards, and utilizing advanced technology. The "buddy" system with Charles gets a significant upgrade here, with more elaborate scenarios involving his iconic helicopter.

Mastering the fail states here is key. Many involve intricate sequences of actions that, if performed slightly incorrectly, lead to unique and often comical demises. This requires deep knowledge of the game's mechanics and timing.

Completing the Mission: The Grand Finale

The grand finale, Completing the Mission, is the culmination of everything. It's bigger, bolder, and packed with more choices and branching paths than ever before. This game truly tests your ability to navigate a complex narrative with numerous potential outcomes.

A true 100% run here means experiencing the story from every possible angle, including the paths that lead to the "canon" endings and those that result in spectacular, series-defining failures. It’s the ultimate test of dedication to the Henry Stickmin saga.

The sheer volume of unique endings and fail states in The Henry Stickmin Collection is staggering. A 100% speedrun isn't just about speed; it's a celebration of the game's incredible design and comedic writing.

Common Challenges and "Glitches"

While The Henry Stickmin Collection is known for its intentional "fails" that are part of the fun, true glitches that break the game are rare and generally not part of a standard 100% speedrun category. The focus is on executing the intended paths and failures flawlessly. However, understanding the game's quirky physics and timing can sometimes feel like exploiting minor quirks to gain a slight edge.

The main challenge is the sheer length and the mental fortitude required to execute potentially hundreds of different choices and sequences without error. Consistency is paramount. One wrong click can derail a significant portion of the run.

The Among Us Plush Anomaly

A small but interesting note for dedicated viewers and runners: at approximately 1:01:25 in the original video, there's a reference to the Among Us plush. It's important to clarify that within the game's mechanics, this item cannot actually be collected. The game actively prevents it, often by "punching" it away. Therefore, it's not a required objective for any speedrun category, including this 100% run.

Tips for Your Own Run

If you're inspired to attempt your own 100% run of The Henry Stickmin Collection, here are a few tips:

  • Map Everything Out: Use a flowchart or detailed notes to track every ending and fail state.
  • Practice Sections Individually: Master each game's branches before attempting a full sequence.
  • Embrace the Fails: Don't get discouraged. Each fail is a step closer to completion and often hilarious.
  • Optimize Your Input: Minimize mouse movements and clicks where possible.
  • Stay Updated: Check resources like speedrun.com for any new discoveries or route optimizations. This is a great resource for any speedrun enthusiast.
  • Watch Other Runners: Observing top runs can reveal tricks and strats you might have missed. The world record run, like the one seen here, is an excellent example of expert execution.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is The Henry Stickmin Collection a difficult game to speedrun?
A: While the game itself is easy to play, achieving a true 100% speedrun requires immense memorization, precision, and endurance due to the sheer number of endings and fail states. It's more of a memory and execution challenge than a skill-based one.

Q: How long does a 100% speedrun of The Henry Stickmin Collection typically take?
A: A full 100% run can take several hours, potentially ranging from 3 to 5 hours or even more, depending on the runner's efficiency and how optimized the routes are.

Q: Are there any significant glitches used in 100% speedruns?
A: Standard 100% categories focus on completing the game as intended, including all fail states. Major game-breaking glitches are typically reserved for different speedrun categories (like Any% Glitchless or Glitched).

Q: Where can I find the latest speedrun records for this game?
A: The best place to find current world records and leaderboards for The Henry Stickmin Collection is on speedrun.com.

So there you have it – a deep dive into the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly extensive world of The Henry Stickmin Collection 100% speedrunning. It's a testament to the game's design that such a completionist run is not only possible but incredibly fun to attempt and watch. Whether you're a seasoned speedrunner or just a fan of Henry's misadventures, there's something magical about witnessing every possible outcome.

What are your favorite fails from The Henry Stickmin Collection? Did you manage to complete your own 100% run? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more epic speedruns and gaming insights, make sure to join our Discord channel. Let's keep the speedrunning spirit alive!