What is the world’s hardest speedrun?
Speedrunning has become an increasingly popular activity within the gaming community, where players attempt to complete games as quickly as possible, often using glitches and exploitations to shave off precious seconds. With numerous speedruns being attempted across various games, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most challenging. However, in this article, we will delve into the world of speedrunning to answer this very question.
Why do Speedrunners use glitches?
Before diving into the world’s hardest speedrun, it is essential to understand why speedrunners use glitches in the first place. Glitches are programming errors or bugs that can be exploited to skip parts of the game, earn bonus points, or access otherwise inaccessible areas. In speedrunning, glitches can significantly reduce the time it takes to complete a game. Video game glitches may be used to achieve sequence breaks, or may be used for other purposes, such as skipping cutscenes and increasing the player’s speed or damage output.
Speedrun Categories
When evaluating the world’s hardest speedrun, it is important to consider the different speedrun categories. These categories often include:
• Glitchless: where players are prohibited from using glitches and must complete the game in its intended way
• Low%: where players aim to complete the game with the minimum number of required items
• 100%: where players aim to complete the game with all available collectibles and achievements
Each category presents its unique set of challenges, requiring speedrunners to develop strategies tailored to the specific goal.
Top 5 Hardest Speedruns
Based on various speedrun databases and community opinions, the following five speedruns are considered among the hardest in the world:
1. Portal 2: Glitchless Low%:
Achieving a low percentage of completion in Portal 2 while avoiding glitches and adhering to the original game design is a formidable challenge. This speedrun requires precise timing, efficient test chamber navigation, and innovative portal placement.
| Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|
| Easy | 3 hours |
| Medium | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Hard | 50 minutes |
2. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: Any%:
Completing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as quickly as possible using glitches and exploitations requires in-depth knowledge of the game’s mechanics and hidden routes. This speedrun is notorious for its technicalities, requiring speedrunners to execute complex button sequences and precise movements.
| Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|
| Easy | 7 hours |
| Medium | 4 hours |
| Hard | 2 hours |
3. Dark Souls: All Bosses:
Surviving the notoriously difficult boss fights in Dark Souls, which often require precise timing, memorization, and understanding of the game’s mechanics, is a test of skill and perseverance.
| Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|
| Easy | 3 hours |
| Medium | 2 hours |
| Hard | 1 hour |
4. Sekiro: Shadow Die Twice – No Deaths:
Completing Sekiro without dying is a monumental task, as it requires speedrunners to navigate the game’s punishing difficulty, execute complex fight strategies, and perfect the timing of dodges and parries.
| Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|
| Easy | 6 hours |
| Medium | 3 hours |
| Hard | 2 hours |
5. Contra: Hard Corps: No Miss – Pacifist:
Pacifist runs, which involve completing the game without taking a single hit or killing any enemies, require meticulous planning, strategic routing, and exceptional accuracy in executing precise movements and actions.
| Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|
| Easy | 4 hours |
| Medium | 2 hours |
| Hard | 1 hour |
Conclusion
Speedrunning is a multifaceted activity that tests a player’s skill, strategy, and problem-solving abilities. While all of these speedruns pose unique challenges, Portal 2: Glitchless Low% is arguably the world’s hardest speedrun due to its exacting requirements and reliance on precision and efficiency.
To achieve success in this and other speedruns, players must develop a deep understanding of the game mechanics, memorize crucial sections, and cultivate the patience and dedication necessary to master each individual level. Whether speedrunners choose to complete their runs glitchlessly, aggressively, or with all possible collectibles, they demonstrate remarkable skill, persistence, and passion for gaming.
By exploring the world’s most challenging speedruns, gamers can gain a new appreciation for the creativity, resourcefulness, and precision that goes into achieving mastery within the speedrunning community.