To achieve S+ ranks in Resident Evil 2 through speedrunning, it’s crucial to adopt a strategic approach that encompasses precise movement, efficient combat techniques, resource management, and optimized timing. Here’s a comprehensive guide that encapsulates the most important techniques and strategies:

Speedrunning Strategies

1. Efficient Movement:
– Straight Paths: When navigating the environment, particularly in the early sections like the gas station area, aim for clean, straight movement lines. This reduces travel time and minimizes the risk of running into zombies.
– Avoid Damage: Getting hit by zombies can waste precious seconds, so practice evasion techniques. Familiarize yourself with enemy placements and better routes to avoid confrontation.
– Quick Turn Mastery: Learn and practice the quick turn mechanic. This allows you to swiftly change directions without stopping, maintaining your momentum during navigation and enabling fast escapes from enemies.

2. Combat Efficiency:
– Aim for Headshots: Prioritize headshots against zombies, as this can neutralize threats quickly and conserve valuable ammunition, preventing the delays caused by needing to deal with multiple attackers.
– Strategic Engagement: Avoid unnecessary combat whenever possible. If you can bypass an enemy without confrontation, do so to save time.

3. Cutscene Management:
– Skip All Cutscenes: To maximize your run time, always skip cutscenes. This is vital, as even a few seconds can impact your overall performance.

Requirements for S+ Rank

1. Time Constraints:
– Hardcore Mode Requirements: Complete the game in under 2 hours and 30 minutes with only three saves. This mode increases the challenge significantly due to tougher enemies and less available resources, which heightens the stakes but also the potential for scoring well.
– Standard Mode Tips: If you opt for standard difficulty, completing the game in about 2 hours can also offer a solid chance of securing an S rank, allowing you time to explore optimal routes without the higher pressures of Hardcore.

2. Resource Management:
– Ammo and Healing Conservation: Utilize leg shots to incapacitate zombies rather than headshots when you need to conserve ammunition. This strategy allows you to maintain a safe distance without expending valuable resources.
– Item Management: Combine herbs and gunpowder strategically, and store unneeded items. Keep your inventory efficient to ensure you have necessary items at critical moments.
– Collect Early: Focus on collecting essential items (like flame rounds and key components for puzzles) early in your run, but be strategic about when to employ these items.

Recommended Approach

1. Practice Makes Perfect:
– Familiarize on Standard: Start by practicing runs on standard difficulty. This will help you learn the routes, puzzle solutions, and enemy placements without the added stress of Hardcore conditions.

2. Route Optimization:
– Pre-plan Your Route: Draft a plan that minimizes backtracking and maximizes your efficiency in collecting necessary items. Identify which keys and puzzle items are essential and acquire them systematically.

3. Avoid Costly Mistakes:
– Limit Deaths and Saves: Be mindful of your health and item utility throughout the run. Each death or unnecessary save can impact your final rank, so proceed cautiously and strategically.

Conclusion

By concentrating on these elements—efficient movement techniques, precise combat strategies, diligent resource management, and a thorough understanding of time constraints—you can significantly enhance your chances of achieving the elusive S+ rank in Resident Evil 2 while speedrunning on Hardcore mode. The combination of practice, strategic planning, and optimal execution will set the foundation for success in your speedrunning endeavors.