CKeen4 Max Score, Pyramid of the Gnosticene Ancients (N/G) - 21800 | 468 |

Описание: Commander Keen Episode 4: Secret of the Oracle version 1.0, DOSBox version 0.74-3 at max cycles (to minimize loading times). Max Score is defined as collecting as many points and life-gaining items (Raindrops and Lifewater Flasks) as possible after visiting and completing levels once; N/G specifies *N*ormal difficulty and *G*litches allowed. The first value in the title is the number of points collected, the second value is the "life score" collected (drop = 1, flask = 100), and the third value is the run time.

This is an "individual level" or "IL" speedrun, and as such uses specialized starting conditions: in this run, Keen starts with 0 lives, 9999999 points needed for another life (to avoid messing with the life score), and 5 ammo. Start time is the first visible frame of the level; end time is the first black frame immediately after completing a level. Original video date: 2016/01/12

Unlike most levels that I play on 1.4, this level uses version 1.0 to maximize collection. The Flask on the western ledge is the culprit here, as in 1.4 Keen's ledge-grabbing position is altered and doesn't align with the Flask before he's immediately ejected from the ledge: only in 1.0 (and 1.1, technically) will he actually pick it up.

Overall, this level is punctuated by three very tricky pickups: the two Flasks at the start (hard part is shooting the Treasure Eater before it "eats" them), the aforementioned Flask on the western ledge, and the chocolate bar above the doorway just before the final stretch. Each one took a lot of practice and setup to get just right, and the latter two involved the use of something I don't think I've ever actually needed in a run before. The "wobble jump" for these pickups involves careful activation and deactivation of the pogo mid-jump to alter Keen's hitbox: to avoid bonking the sandstone block for the Flask jump, which would stunt horizontal distance; and to avoid dying to the dart shooter while picking up the chocolate bar. You'd think the bar's lower than the shooter, but it's actually the other way around in terms of hitboxes, so the pogo also has to be deactivated to bring Keen's helmet up for the grab.

Considering all of the above, I played the sections involve enemies a lot safer than I normally would. I suspect this level could be substantially faster with an earlier platform cycle at the bottom alone, but the given the precision needed for a single run, I kept it safe. Honestly, I'm impressed this got done at all: really didn't expect to get all the score and Flasks on this level.