Weird Speed: The Best Oddball Games to Speedrun for a Quick Thrill

Weird Speed: The Best Oddball Games to Speedrun for a Quick Thrill

Speedrunning, the art of completing a video game as quickly as possible, is often associated with mainstream titles like Super Mario 64 or The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. But beyond the familiar classics lies a vibrant, quirky underworld of games perfect for short, strange, and satisfying speedruns. These are the games that defy convention, embrace absurdity, and offer a unique challenge for speedrunners looking for something different.

This article dives into the world of weird speedrunning, exploring a selection of oddball games that are both accessible and rewarding to speedrun. We’ll look at why these games are appealing, what makes them unique from a speedrunning perspective, and how to get started if you’re interested in trying them out.

Why Weird Speedrunning?

The appeal of speedrunning weird games lies in several factors:

• Novelty: These games offer a refreshing break from the established speedrunning scene. They’re often less optimized, meaning there’s more room for discovery and innovation.
• Accessibility: Many weird games are shorter and less technically demanding than AAA titles, making them easier to learn and master quickly.
• Community: The communities surrounding these games tend to be smaller and more tight-knit, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collaboration.
• Comedy: Let’s face it, many weird games are just plain hilarious. Speedrunning them adds another layer of absurdity to the experience.

Top Picks for Weird Speedrunning:

Here are some choice picks for those looking to dive into the strange and wonderful world of speedrunning oddball games:

1. Goat Simulator: This physics-based sandbox game is the epitome of controlled chaos. As a goat with a penchant for destruction, your goal is simple: wreak havoc. Speedruns typically involve completing a series of objectives as quickly as possible, exploiting glitches and physics quirks to achieve maximum mayhem. The short playtime and unpredictable nature of the game make it perfect for quick, entertaining runs.

   • Why it’s great: Simple to learn, endlessly replayable, and laugh-out-loud funny.
   • Difficulty: Easy to medium. The biggest challenge is mastering the goat’s movement and exploiting glitches consistently.

2. I am Bread: In this game, you play as a slice of bread on a quest to become toast. Navigating the treacherous landscape of a human home, you’ll need to avoid dirty surfaces, use your edges to grip furniture, and ultimately find your way to a heat source. Speedruns focus on optimizing your route, mastering the bread’s awkward movement, and avoiding environmental hazards.

   • Why it’s great: Unique premise, challenging controls, and a satisfying sense of accomplishment when you finally toast yourself.
   • Difficulty: Medium. The controls take some getting used to, and planning a clean route is crucial.

3. Surgeon Simulator: A darkly humorous game where you perform surgery with incredibly clumsy controls. Speedruns involve completing operations as quickly as possible, often sacrificing patient well-being in the process. The game’s wonky physics and unpredictable events make for a hilarious and challenging speedrunning experience.

   • Why it’s great: Over-the-top gore, challenging controls, and a high potential for comedic mishaps.
   • Difficulty: Medium to hard. Mastering the controls and dealing with random events is key.

4. Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy: Infamous for its punishing difficulty and philosophical narration, Getting Over It is a game about climbing a mountain with a hammer. Speedruns are a true test of patience and skill, requiring precise movements and the ability to recover from inevitable falls. The game’s frustrating nature makes successful speedruns all the more rewarding.

   • Why it’s great: A unique challenge, a supportive community, and a deep sense of satisfaction when you finally reach the top.
   • Difficulty: Very hard. Requires precise movements, patience, and a strong mental fortitude.

5. Octodad: Dadliest Catch: A stealth-action game where you play as an octopus disguised as a human. Navigating everyday tasks like grocery shopping and cooking becomes a hilarious challenge as you struggle to control your wobbly limbs. Speedruns involve completing objectives while minimizing suspicion and avoiding detection.

   • Why it’s great: Charming characters, goofy physics, and a unique stealth mechanic.
   • Difficulty: Medium. Requires mastering the controls and planning your movements carefully.

6. Jazzpunk: A surreal and comedic adventure game inspired by spy movies and cyberpunk tropes. Speedruns focus on completing objectives quickly, often exploiting glitches and sequence breaks to bypass puzzles and dialogue. The game’s bizarre humor and unpredictable events make for a memorable speedrunning experience.

   • Why it’s great: Hilarious writing, surreal environments, and a unique sense of humor.
   • Difficulty: Easy to medium. Relies more on memorization and glitch exploitation than technical skill.

7. Hypnospace Outlaw: An internet simulator game where you play as an Enforcer, patrolling the Hypnospace (a dream-like version of the internet) for rule breakers. Speedruns involve completing cases quickly, often using glitches and exploits to bypass puzzles and dialogues. The game’s retro aesthetic and bizarre characters make for a unique speedrunning experience.

   • Why it’s great: Unique concept, quirky characters, and a nostalgic aesthetic.
   • Difficulty: Medium. Requires a good understanding of the game’s mechanics and a knack for puzzle-solving.

Tips for Speedrunning Weird Games:

• Watch existing speedruns: The best way to learn a game’s speedrunning potential is to watch experienced runners. Pay attention to their routes, strategies, and glitch exploits.
• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new things. Many weird games are still relatively unexplored, meaning there’s plenty of room for discovery.
• Join the community: Connect with other speedrunners in online forums, Discord servers, and Twitch chats. They can offer advice, support, and encouragement.
• Have fun: Speedrunning should be enjoyable. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and embrace the weirdness.

Getting Started:

Ready to dive into the world of weird speedrunning? Here’s how to get started:

1. Choose a game: Pick a game from the list above or explore other oddball titles that pique your interest.
2. Learn the basics: Familiarize yourself with the game’s mechanics, controls, and objectives.
3. Watch speedruns: Study existing speedruns to learn the optimal routes and strategies.
4. Practice: Start practicing the game, focusing on consistency and efficiency.
5. Record your runs: Use recording software like OBS Studio to capture your runs and share them with the community.
6. Submit your times: Submit your times to speedrunning leaderboards like Speedrun.com to compete with other players.

The Future of Weird Speedrunning:

The weird speedrunning scene is constantly evolving as new games are discovered and existing games are optimized. With its accessibility, novelty, and sense of community, weird speedrunning is poised to continue growing in popularity. So, if you’re looking for a unique and rewarding speedrunning experience, dive into the weird and see what you can discover.

In Conclusion:

Weird speedrunning offers a refreshing alternative to the mainstream speedrunning scene. With its focus on oddball games, quirky challenges, and a tight-knit community, it’s a great way to explore the outer edges of the gaming world and push the boundaries of what’s possible. So, embrace the weirdness, experiment with unconventional strategies, and have fun!