So, you've seen those incredible speedrun videos, the ones where players blast through games in minutes, pulling off feats that seem like pure magic. We all admire the dedication, the skill, and the sheer will to shave off every possible second. But what happens when you dive into the deep end, trying to conquer a challenge that no one else has even finished? That's exactly what I set out to do, aiming to be the first to complete a specific, notoriously difficult speedrun category in the original Devil May Cry. Spoiler alert: it didn't go as planned.
The premise was simple, yet daunting: tackle a speedrunning category in the classic Devil May Cry that, as of my attempt, remained **unbeaten**. No one had ever submitted a completed run. This wasn't about setting a new world record; it was about seeing if the category was even *possible*, even if I took my time. Even with a relaxed pace, I learned just how much of a beast this particular challenge truly is.
### The Elusive Devil May Cry Speedrun Category
When you think of Devil May Cry, you probably picture stylish combat, demon-slaying antics, and Dante's iconic swagger. But for the hardcore speedrunner, it's also about intricate mechanics, frame-perfect inputs, and exploiting every glitch and shortcut imaginable. The community constantly pushes the boundaries, discovering new glitches and game-breakingstrats.
This particular category was born out of a fascination with the game's deepest corners. It involved a combination of specific exploits, extreme movement tech, and perhaps some very specific RNG manipulation. The goal was to reach a specific point in the game, or complete a set of objectives, under conditions so strict that no runner had ever successfully navigated them all. Think of it as finding the absolute edge of what's possible within the game's code and mechanics.
### The Grind: My Journey to Understanding the Impossibility
My initial approach was optimistic. I'm no stranger to the grind; I've spent countless hours perfecting routes and mastering movement tech in various games. I started by dissecting existing speedruns, looking for any hints or techniques that might be relevant. I watched high-level players gameplay, analyzed forum discussions, and even joined Discord servers dedicated to Devil May Cry speedrunning. The community, while passionate, was also stumped.
The target category was described as "extremely demanding," requiring mastery of several advanced techniques that are themselves difficult to pull off consistently. We're talking about things like precise butterflying, complex sequence breaks that rely on enemy AI or object manipulation, and potentially some very niche glitches that are more theoretical than practical.
Hours turned into days, then weeks. I started experimenting in-game, trying to replicate the required maneuvers. Many of these techniques are so obscure that they're not even standard in popular categories like Any% or 100%. They require a deep understanding of the game's physics engine, character animations, and enemy behavior.
The core issue wasn't just difficulty; it was the sheer number of specific, often unforgiving, conditions that needed to be met in sequence. A single missed input, a slightly unfavorable RNG roll, or a minor deviation from the optimal path could set you back minutes, or worse, make the entire run impossible from that point forward.
### Where I Fell Short: The Reality of the Challenge
Despite my best efforts and a considerable amount of time invested, I couldn't crack it. The goal was to complete the run, even if it wasn't record-breaking fast. The problem was, I couldn't even *reach the end*. There were specific segments that acted as hard walls.
One particular sequence involved a series of jumps and enemy activations that, when performed perfectly, allowed for a massive skip. However, the window for error was minuscule. If you were even a fraction of a second off, or if an enemy didn't spawn in the exact position required, you'd be forced onto a much slower path, effectively ending the run's viability for this category.
Another hurdle was a section that seemed to rely on a very specific interaction between Dante's sword attacks and environmental elements. It was theorized that this interaction could trigger a unique state in the game, allowing for a shortcut. I spent days trying to replicate the conditions, meticulously adjusting my timing and positioning, but the outcome was always inconsistent. Sometimes it worked, leading to a few seconds saved, but more often, it resulted in failure, forcing a reset.
The community consensus was that the specific sequence of actions required was either:
* **Extremely difficult to execute consistently**, even for top-tier players.
* **Dependent on a very rare RNG scenario** that hadn't been properly documented or mastered.
* **Potentially based on a misunderstanding of a glitch or exploit**, making it practically impossible to trigger reliably.
My personal experience leaned towards the first two points. The skill ceiling for this category was astronomically high, and the reliance on specific RNG factors meant that even perfect execution didn't guarantee success.
### What This Means for Devil May Cry Speedrunning
This experience has given me a newfound respect for the absolute pinnacle of speedrunning. It's easy to watch pros and think, "I could do that if I practiced." But when you step into territory that hasn't been charted, you encounter challenges that test not just your skill, but your persistence, your analytical abilities, and your understanding of what makes a game tick.
The fact that this category remains unfinished isn't a condemnation of the game, but rather a testament to its depth and complexity. It means there are still secrets to uncover, new strats to discover, and perhaps, one day, a runner who can finally conquer this particular beast.
For now, the title of "first to complete this speedrun category" remains unclaimed. It's a humbling reminder that even in games we know inside and out, there are always new frontiers to explore. I may not have succeeded this time, but the thrill of the chase, the deep dive into mechanics, and the engagement with the gaming community made it an unforgettable journey.
Would I try again? Absolutely. The allure of the impossible is strong, and the desire to see what truly lies at the edge of a game's capabilities is a powerful motivator for any true speedrunner.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a speedrun category?
A speedrun category is a specific set of rules or objectives within a game that runners aim to complete as quickly as possible. This can include finishing the game (Any%), collecting all items (100%), or completing specific challenges.
Why are some speedrun categories unfinished?
Categories can remain unfinished due to extreme difficulty, reliance on very rare RNG, the need for highly advanced and difficult-to-execute glitches or strats, or sometimes, a misunderstanding of the game's mechanics that makes the intended goal practically impossible.
Is Devil May Cry difficult to speedrun?
Yes, Devil May Cry is renowned for its high skill ceiling and complex combat mechanics, making it a challenging but rewarding game for speedrunners. Mastering its systems is key to achieving fast times.
What is RNG in speedrunning?
RNG stands for "Random Number Generation." In speedrunning, it refers to the random elements within a game, such as enemy spawns, item drops, or critical hit chances. Runners often try to manipulate or account for RNG to improve their times.
Where can I learn more about Devil May Cry speedruns?
You can find resources, leaderboards, and communities for Devil May Cry speedruns on websites like Speedrun.com, as well as dedicated Discord servers for the game's speedrunning community.
Have you ever tackled an "unbeatable" challenge in a game? Share your experiences and any crazy speedrunning strategies you've discovered in the comments below! What other impossible speedrun categories should we investigate next? Let us know! Join our community Discord to discuss all things GamingSpeedrun!
