Master Speedrunning in Metal: Hellsinger

AntMag.NET

Alright, so you're looking to shave some time off your runs in Metal: Hellsinger? That's awesome! This game is all about flow and rhythm, so getting those techniques down can make a huge difference. Let's dive into how you can really optimize your runs and become a speed demon yourself.

Calibrate Your Audio and Video

First things first, since this is a rhythm game, staying perfectly in sync with the music is absolutely crucial. If your audio and video are even a little bit off, you're going to struggle. Seriously, take a few minutes right at the start to nail this calibration. You'll just need to tap a button when you see a flash and hear a sound. It's quick, but it makes a massive impact. And hey, if you ever feel like things are drifting, just pop back into the Options menu and recalibrate.

Adjust Your Field of View (FOV)

Things move at a breakneck pace in Hell, right? To stay alive and keep track of everything, you need to see as much as possible. Crank up that Field of View (FOV) in the Options menu as high as it will go. It might feel a little weird at first if you're not used to it, but that extra peripheral vision is a lifesaver for spotting enemies and projectiles.

Save Those Power-Ups for the Right Moment

You'll find all sorts of helpful power-ups scattered around – health crystals, combo boosters, you name it. Your goal should be to locate them all, but don't just grab and use them immediately. Think strategically! For example, only pop a combo booster when you're about to lose your streak and there are plenty of enemies around to keep it going. Health crystals are best saved for those intense final waves of enemies when you really need that boost.

Use Paz to Keep Your Combo Going

This is a big one for maintaining momentum. When you clear out an area and are moving to the next, your combo gauge will start to drop. Don't let that happen! Remember Paz, your little skull buddy? Equip Paz and just keep firing to the beat. Even though Paz doesn't do much damage, firing on-beat will sustain your combo. Master this, and you can carry a massive combo all the way through a level.

Don't Forget to Jump!

It's easy to get tunnel vision focusing on shooting and rhythm, but your character is surprisingly agile. You can double jump and even perform mid-air dashes. Use these to cover ground quickly, dodge pesky projectiles, and reposition yourself if you get swarmed. Getting airborne is a great way to escape a sticky situation.

Reload Like a Pro

When your weapon needs a reload, pay attention to the music's beat. You'll often see a prompt like “Reload is Imminent.” This is your cue! Watch the rhythm indicator and wait for that golden beat marker. Press the reload button (X on Xbox) right on that beat, and you'll perform a quick reload, getting you back into the fight almost instantly. Missing this means a slower reload and lost DPS.

Save Your Ultimates for When It Counts

Each weapon has a powerful Ultimate attack that charges up as you slay enemies. It takes a while to build these up, so don't waste them on a couple of weaklings. Save them for the final boss of a level or a massive wave of enemies where they can have the biggest impact. Having a full Ultimate ready when things get really tough is a game-changer.

Execute Enemies to Restore Health

While health crystals are good, performing executions is arguably the best way to heal. When an enemy is staggered and near death, aim at them and press the Execute button (R3 on consoles). Not only do you take out the demon, but you also get a significant chunk of health back. Plus, you can execute enemies from quite a distance, which is super useful for closing gaps or getting out of a jam.

Be Smart About Enemy Prioritization

Some enemies are definitely more annoying than others. You've got shield-bearers, projectile-spammers, and big hitters. For speedrunning, you generally want to focus your damage on the biggest threats first – think Behemoths or anything that can one-shot you. Only deal with other targets if they get in your face. Keep an eye on those ranged attackers, but smart positioning usually keeps you safe.

Tackle Some Torments

If you're finding a particular level too tough to speedrun or just want to practice specific sections, don't forget about the Torments. They offer unique challenges and can be a great way to hone your skills on specific mechanics or enemy types. Mastering these can definitely translate to faster, cleaner runs on the main path.