While speedrunning this game, I've discovered a few glitches that can cut off a lot of time in every category. In those routes, XP requirements will be strict, so if you miss, for example, a full combo on the first boss fight, the run will be slower and harder to do.

Last Updated : 10/09/16 (glitchless route with updated rules)

Any%

-> go to bridge get to the other side by abusing damage boosts. You need to be at low health after that.

->First boss fight Get a full combo by abusing S-buffer (93 hits), upgrade sword 3 times.

->Go to bridge Take a hit from the first enemy that you see. (death warp)

->Second boss fight simply slash sword while being close to the boss. you can 2-cycle him really easily

->Enter the castle enter the door to exit the castle, pause while the transition is happening and hold up-left, this should put you past the castle on the overworld map. (thanks to Kiodah for that one, this is both faster and easier than abusing lag) Or perform the Outer Castle Skip, it is frame and pixel perfect way of doing the castle skip that pushes you into the demon beast loading zone, saving about 4 seconds.

->Final boss fight Break the sheild orbs (this should give you sword level 4) Beat the boss. GG.

Safer route (recommended) : upgrade armor 1 time then sword 3 times in the first fight.

Glitchless (upgrades may not be optimal)

-> go to bridge get to the other side by abusing damage boosts.

->First boss fight Upgrade armor once then sword twice. If you kill the boss fast enough, you do not need to dodge anything.

->Go to bridge Jump over the bird and fall into the pit. (easier strat : get hit by the bird, slightly slower to do so.)

->Second boss fight simply slash sword while being close to the boss. You can 3-cycle him, but a 4-cycle is recommended if you can't slash fast enough or if you are unlucky with Lenny.

-> Go to castle Go through the intended way. Try to skip as many encounter by abusing damage boost (especially for the purple guys that take forever to die.) Only upgrade sword in that section.

Easier strat: Get level 5 sword with about 275XP before getting to the 3 Knights. Killing the Red Knight will give you enough XP to get the level 6 sword.

->Green Knight Hard strat (saves 2-3 seconds) Go behind him. Hit 8 rocks.

Easy strat: Go behind him. Try to hit 6 rocks. Go to the left. Finish him.

->Red Knight dodge the hammer. Take away half of his life. Go to the right to make him throw his hammer really far from him. Finish him. Upgrade everywthing you want.

->Purple Knight

strat with level 5 sword (hard): Deal some damage Go on the left platform and jump to dodge Purple Knight. Deal some more damage. Go on the right platform, jump to dodge Purple Knight. Finish him.

Strat with level 6 (very easy) Deal some damage. Go on the left platform and jump to avoid Purple Knight. Finish him.

-> Final boss fight Break the 3 orbs. Kill him. GG.

All Spells

->Village Get magic

->First boss Abuse S-buffer to get a 96 combo, upgrading 1 armor, then 3 swords.

-> To the bridge Fall off the bridge

->Temple Free the fairy.

->Second boss fight ->Axe

->Go to the secret house in the forest while cutting trees. Get Heal

Finish getting 100 wood.

->Go to destroyed village get Sheild

->to Castle Wrong warp to get near the third key, get Fire. Reset or death warp. Castle Skip.

->Final boss fight Upgrade to sword level 4 if you haven't already. Beat the boss GG

Pro tip: try to barely get enough XP for sword level 4, as you won't trigger extra, useless upgrades afterwards.

100% ->Get magic

->First boss fight Abuse S-buffer to farm XP to get Level 8 armor and level 8 magic. Leave the fight as many times as needed. Start from a fresh fight to upgrade to level 3 sword. Finish him.

->To bridge fall in the hole for a death warp.

->Free the fairy

->Second boss using magic one-shots him.

->Axe ->Heal ->Shield

->Castle

In the castle, you need to get as much XP as possible in order to save time in the last boss fight. You can also use magic in boss fights or during fights against spiders.

->Green Knight go behind him. Try to hit 6 rocks. Go to the left. Finish him.

->Red Knight dodge the hammer. 1-cycle him

->Purple Knight take away half of his life. jump on the platform, and jump again. Finish him while he's stunned.

->Last boss fight Farm to upgrade sword to level 7 then 8. Use magic to kill the boss. Use 2 magic spells and sword to kill the eye. GG.

I hope this guide have been useful. Thank you guys for reading. -g0goTBC