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Originally recorded: February 2, 2025 (Happy Groundhog Day!)
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Truth be told, I didn't know how this was going to turn out. On one hand, this was a Game Boy game... so I probably should've been able to finish it in one sitting. However, not only is it a Metroidvania -- but I was also warned of a massive difficulty spike by KI at the game's conclusion. As such, I guess in the back of my mind, I was always expecting this game to take two sessions.

What I actually found so surprising was how far I managed to get in this first one. I literally made it to the final boss. Better still, I've also got a password that will take me straight back there. But overcoming that final fight is going to be the hard part, because it's just one big boss rush... and you can only carry a single healing item on you for the entire thing. Considering the fact that I needed to use my pizza to beat each boss the first time I tackled them in the game, well, it's looking pretty dire. But at least they heal you up after each fight.

I managed to get through the first two fights pretty reliably by the end of this session -- well, so long as I went in with full health -- but I'm still trying to learn all of the third and fourth bosses' tells, so I can make it through them with enough health. Shredder's going to the be the hard part, since he has two forms and you don't get a health refill between them. You've basically got to do a perfect run in one shot. KI hasn't even managed something like that.

Unfortunately, I'm also not quite as dexterous or skilled at games like this as KI. A lot of the time, I only end up making progress due to brute forcing it and through sheer strength of will alone. Alas, that isn't a viable strategy in all cases. As such, I've got a back-up plan just in case dedicating a whole stream to finishing the game doesn't work out: save states. As per our agreement, I won't be able to count this game as properly beaten if I have to resort to a dirty trick like that. But at least I'll be able to show off the ending in some form. Either way, I'm already ahead of schedule on beating games for this year. Though admittedly, being able to legitimately beat a game before KI does would be pretty sweet...

Though, by saying that, I've probably spurred them into doing it between sessions. Ah, but then I can just ask for advice on how to tackle it, straight from the source. See? I'm playing both sides. That way, I always come out on top.