Hey fellow runners and horror aficionados! You've stumbled upon GamingSpeedrun.com, and if you're here, chances are you're as obsessed with shaving off seconds as I am. Today, we're diving deep into the twisted corridors of **Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs**, specifically targeting the elusive Any% category. For years, the community has strived to break through the 23-minute mark, and I'm thrilled to share the strategies and mindset that allowed me to achieve a **22:59 speedrun**.
This isn't just about hitting a number; it's about understanding the game's mechanics, exploiting its quirks, and executing a near-flawless run. Whether you're a seasoned veteran looking for that extra edge or a newcomer curious about the madness, this guide is your gateway to mastering *A Machine For Pigs* in record time. Prepare to get intimately familiar with the game's environments, enemy patterns, and those crucial sequence breaks.
Breaking the 22:59 barrier in *Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs* was a monumental achievement. This run demands precision, memorization, and an almost intimate knowledge of the game's layout and AI. We're talking about minimal deviation, optimal pathing, and leveraging every single frame possible. My journey to this time involved countless hours of practice, analyzing other top runners, and experimenting with new strats. It's a testament to what can be achieved when you truly push the boundaries of a game.
Understanding Any% in A Machine For Pigs
In the world of speedrun, Any% is king. It means completing the game as fast as possible, regardless of how you do it. For *A Machine For Pigs*, this translates to reaching the end credits with the quickest possible input. We're not concerned with collecting optional items, reading every note (though some are crucial for triggers), or engaging with enemies unnecessarily. The goal is pure, unadulterated speed. This often involves finding skips, exploiting enemy AI to bypass encounters, and perfect movement.
Key Strategies and Exploits
The core of any successful speedrun lies in its strategies. *A Machine For Pigs* is no exception. While it might seem less reliant on hardcore glitches than its predecessor, it's rife with opportunities for optimization.
* Enemy Manipulation: The "Pigs" and other threats have predictable AI. Learning how to lure them, despawn them, or simply run past them without triggering an alert is paramount. Often, specific actions or entering certain areas will cause them to reset or despawn, saving precious seconds.
* Sequence Breaks & Skips: There are several points where you can bypass intended paths or trigger events out of sequence. These might involve precise jumps, using environmental objects in unintended ways, or exploiting loading zones.
* Optimal Pathing: Every corner turned, every door opened, is a potential time loss. Knowing the shortest and fastest route through each segment of the game is non-negotiable. This includes knowing which doors to open quickly and which can be bypassed entirely.
The difference between a good run and a world-record run often comes down to mastering these small, seemingly insignificant movements and interactions. Every second counts when you're pushing for a new PB.
Chapter 1: The Factory Floor
This initial section is all about establishing momentum. You'll need to quickly learn the path through the initial factory area, understanding how to trigger the elevator sequence without delay. Paying attention to the audio cues for the "Pigs" is essential here. A common strategy involves running through certain areas just as a Pig is about to despawn, minimizing chase time. Mastering the sprint and lean mechanics is key to navigating tight corners and avoiding slow-downs.
Chapter 2: Whispers in the Village
The transition to the village introduces new challenges. The open spaces can be tricky, and the patrolling Pigs require careful route planning. One crucial skip here involves manipulating the AI near the church entrance. By performing a specific maneuver, you can often cause the Pig to despawn or become stuck, allowing for a safe passage. This segment tests your ability to stay calm under pressure and execute precise movements in a less linear environment.
Bell Tower Strat
In the bell tower section, efficient climbing and jumping are critical. There’s a well-known strat to minimize climbing time by performing a jump at the apex of the stairs. This bypasses a few seconds of animation.
Chapter 3: The House of Invention
This chapter is often where runs can fall apart. The mansion’s layout can be confusing, and the encounters with the game's more aggressive entities require careful navigation. The key here is to trigger the story events as quickly as possible and move on. There are specific interactables that need to be activated in sequence, and knowing the fastest order and path between them is vital. Avoiding unnecessary backtracking is paramount.
I spent hours just memorizing the house layout, drawing maps, and practicing the specific sequence of interactions. It's a brutal section, but incredibly rewarding when you nail it.
Chapter 4: The Machine Awakens
The final act is a race against time, both in-game and for your run. The pressure is immense. You'll need to navigate the machinery, avoid the final threats, and reach the end sequence. There are often subtle optimizations to be found in the movement through the mechanical sections, leveraging the environment to maintain speed. This is where your muscle memory truly shines.
Final Puzzle Optimization
Even the seemingly unavoidable puzzles can be optimized. Understanding the fastest way to solve the steam puzzle or interact with the final machine can shave off valuable seconds.
The Final Push to 22:59
Achieving the 22:59 requires near perfection. It means:
* No major mistakes or deaths.
* Executing all known major skips and sequence breaks flawlessly.
* Perfect movement and enemy avoidance throughout the entire game.
* Minimizing time spent in menus or during load screens (though these are often unavoidable).
The final few minutes are a blur of adrenaline. You’re pushing yourself, relying on instinct and sheer determination to cross that finish line under the target time.
Practice and Mindset
Speedrunning, especially at this level, is as much mental as it is mechanical.
* Consistent Practice: Break down the run into segments. Master each section individually before attempting full runs.
* Analyze and Adapt: Watch other top runners. Identify their strategies and see if they can be adapted or improved upon. Don't be afraid to experiment.
* Learn from Failure: Every failed run is a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong and how to prevent it next time. Rage-quitting doesn't help; reviewing VODs does.
* Stay Hydrated and Focused: Long practice sessions require stamina. Keep yourself energized and focused.
The grind is real, but that feeling when you finally hit your target time? Priceless. It's what makes speedrun so addictive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest category for Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs?
The Any% category, aiming to complete the game as quickly as possible, is generally the fastest and most popular for speedruns.
Are there any major glitches required for a sub-23 minute run?
While *A Machine For Pigs* isn't as glitch-heavy as some other games, exploiting AI behavior for despawns and enemy manipulation, along with precise sequence breaks and movement optimizations, are crucial. It's more about intricate strats than game-breaking bugs.
How much practice does it take to achieve a time like 22:59?
This varies greatly depending on individual skill, learning speed, and dedication. However, achieving a top-tier time like 22:59 typically requires hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of dedicated practice.
Is Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs a difficult speedrun?
Compared to some other horror titles or platformers, *A Machine For Pigs* presents a unique challenge. Its difficulty lies less in complex execution and more in the consistency required to avoid enemy encounters and optimize movement through its often linear, but maze-like, environments.
Where can I find the current world record for Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs?
You can find the latest world records and other speedrun data for *Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs* on speedrun.com.
Join the Community!
This guide offers a glimpse into the world of speedrunning *Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs*. But the journey doesn't end here. Share your own tips, ask questions in the comments below, and join our vibrant Discord community to connect with fellow runners. Let's push those times even further together! What are your personal bests? What strategies do you use? Let us know!
