Mission Progress (Timed Run)

[SpeedyRasta]

Hey guys, I'm new to these boards so I'm not sure if this is in the right section or not (please correct me if I'm in the wrong here).

 

I'm currently on the mission "Harboring a Grudge" with 7:49 played time. I've recently started skipping cinematics and phone calls in order to reduce my overall played time. I've even went as far as to take a cab and fast travel almost anywhere I go (even in the middle of a mission). My question is: Can I slow down, stop skipping cinematics, phone calls, fast traveling etc and still get the Liberty City Minute achievement (complete the storyline in under 30 hours). Or, do I need to continue rushing through the game?

[saintdave]

I guess it’s possible but some of the cut scenes can be very long, same can be said about phone calls so rushing/skipping is recommended if you want to get that achievement.

[Infinite Monkey]

You don't have to cut the cut scenes; only time spent where you have control over Niko actually counts. But trip-skipping with cab rides helps a lot.

 

I actually finished the storyline in around fifteen hours. Admitedly I was using the Auto-save and resetting rather than replaying missions, which might or might not be "cheating" but it is probably "unethical". But that still gives you plenty of slack.

 

One important tip I did discover is that you DON'T have to do Bruce's final mission "No 1" to complete the story. I don't know if you can skip any of his earlier missions. I was just doing the open missions that were closest to me, and there came a point when that one was was just always the furthest away.

[SpeedyRasta]

Honestly I made the choice today to stop trying for the achievement. A. I never went into this second playthrough with the mindset to get the speed run achievement. B. Honestly, what is the achievement worth? 30Gamerscore? Big deal.

 

Right now I'm going into what is labeled "Chapter Three" by the guide with about 9 hours of play time. If I can't go from the start of "Chapter Three" to the end of the game in 21 hours without using the methods I stated above oh well, I'd rather enjoy the game to be honest.

 

EDIT: Obviously I'm not purposely goofing off and running around etc. I'm still trying to be efficient and seriously play the out the storyline, just not pushing myself to be as fast as humanly possible. I still think I can finish the game in 21 hours with the fact I'm already starting Ray's missions. If not, once again, oh well.

Edited November 27, 2008 by SpeedyRasta

[FabianJGarza]

You don't have to cut the cut scenes; only time spent where you have control over Niko actually counts. But trip-skipping with cab rides helps a lot.

 

I actually finished the storyline in around fifteen hours. Admitedly I was using the Auto-save and resetting rather than replaying missions, which might or might not be "cheating" but it is probably "unethical". But that still gives you plenty of slack.

 

One important tip I did discover is that you DON'T have to do Bruce's final mission "No 1" to complete the story. I don't know if you can skip any of his earlier missions. I was just doing the open missions that were closest to me, and there came a point when that one was was just always the furthest away.

ya thanks man any one else no any missions that you dont have to do

 

like assasins

[SpeedyRasta]

Hey guys, just thought I'd tell you I beat the main storyline with 15:20:07 played time. I went for the Revenge ending this time, I must say though, I think the Deal ending fit the game much better.

 

Thank you guys again for providing me with info! Ciao.

[Infinite Monkey]

Congratulations, SpeedyRasta; nice and speedy!

 

 

One important tip I did discover is that you DON'T have to do Bruce's final mission "No 1" to complete the story. I don't know if you can skip any of his earlier missions. I was just doing the open missions that were closest to me, and there came a point when that one was was just always the furthest away.

ya thanks man any one else no any missions that you dont have to do

 

like assasins

Well, you don't have to do any side missions; Basically, anything that isn't triggered by an icon with someones initials on the map. So, no random ped stuff and no hanging out with friends.

 

It's not much of a mission, but I still haven't got round to picking up the present from Bernie on either of my final saves.

 

You only need to do missions that open up other missions to move the story along.

 

I have a suspicion that none of Brucie's missions might be necessary.

Since Brucie's storyline only ultimately opens up Stevie's car thefts and friendship with Brucie, you can save it for later.

 

I'm not sure if any of the other story arcs finish in a "dead end", even if it's just friendship missions. I think everyone else has an impact, but it might be worth checking.

 

 

One bonus of leaving Brucie's mission till after the story is that I can easily keep my two final saves separate without accidentally overwriting with the autosave: "Story Complete" and "No 1". I use one for systematically clearing pigeons, etc (-and eventually going for the 100%), and the other one for the Algonquin Assassins.

 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2008 by Infinite Monkey