How to install the game to your PS2 HDD

What you'll need:
- An NTSC-U or NTSC-J PS2 (SCPH 30000-50000). Note that the disc laser does not need to be working
- A LAN Adapter with the nVME mod installed. The mod and adapters with the mod pre-installed are available on eBay
- A SATA hard drive. Don't use an SSD as the PS2 cannot take advantage of the higher speeds. You can check if your hard drive is compatible here: http://ps2drives.x-pec.com
- A PS2 memory card with Free MCBoot, uLaunchElf, and OPL installed. These are available on Amazon and eBay
- USB SATA adapter so you can plug the hard drive into your computer
- WinHIIP ( https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=168 )
- *(Optional)* USB flash drive with at least 8gb of space

This tutorial will work regardless of which region your PS2 or your version of the game is from. OPL will launch any version just fine, regardless of your PS2's region. 

If you can, avoid purchasing a GameStar adapter as it has lower compatibility with some hard drives. You can install your games entirely from the PS2, but it is recommended to use your computer for faster installation times. Optionally, you can set up OPL to load and play games from your computer via an Ethernet connection, though that is not covered in this tutorial. 

If you are using the original LAN adapter and an IDE hard drive, you can just use an IDE adapter and follow these same instructions. 

*Optional*: Update OPL by downloading the latest daily build and copy/paste it from your thumb drive to the application folder on your FreeMCBoot memory card: https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3

Step 1. Plug your hard drive into your computer via the USB adapter
Step 2. Launch WinHIIP with administrator privileges (necessary for it to recognize your hard drive)
Step 3. Select "Options," then select "48bit HDLoader," "Reduce Fragmentation," and "Enable Patched HDL's Extended Compatibility Modes," then select "OK" 
Step 3. Select the hard drive you'll be using from the "Select Drive" dropdown (close the popup that appears), then "Format Drive," then set the Erase Mode dropdown to "Full Erase," then set the Application dropdown "HDLoader 48bit" if you have the option to, then select "OK" The formatting process may take several minutes to an hour depending on how large your hard drive is
Step 4a. Select "Add Image," then your disc drive with the game disc inside, then "Start." The installation process may take several minutes depending on the speed of your disc drive, the condition of your disc, and how fast your USB ports and hard drive are
Step 4a. Select "Add Image," then "Add Image(s)," then locate your .ISO file that you legally obtained on your computer and select it, then "Start." The installation process may take several minutes depending on the speed of your disc drive, the condition of your disc, and how fast your USB ports and hard drive are
Step 5. Exit WinHIIP and install your hard drive into your PS2, then turn it on with your Free MCBoot memory card inserted and launch "OPNPS2LD(OPL)"
Step 6. If you've done everything correctly, then your game should show up in the "HDD Games" section once OPL loads 
Step 7 *(Optional)*: Press Triangle on your game and ensure that all modes are set to "Off" and the DMA mode is set to UDMA 4. If you want to have load times that are accurate to the disc drive, turn Mode 1 on and set the DMA mode to "MDMA 0"

If you have any issues with this tutorial, please let me know.

JP Routes

Here is all of the routes from the current world record holder in every single category that doesn't use the PS2's internal HDD, Sachi. These routes only apply to the Japanese version of the game since there are certain techs that are not possible on the American version. Note that the Old Castle routes for Gray and Aisha are faster than the Netherworld routes of each.

http://sachidq4.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-80.html#more

Primary differences between JP and US/PAL (for Jamil and Aisha, at least)

Jamil (by Clutchon):
"Psycho's base BP  has gone up by 2 and Jamil can't hit the synthesized psycho^ at the beginning.
The specs of the Jutsu Master^ have changed, and Hawk, who has the technique in the early game, needs 14 jutsu to lower his LP level. More than anything else, the progress is too slow, and the combat is lazy with about 30% more battles."

Aisha (by yawaraka_yamato):
"Number of battles in which enemy rank increase is confirmed (Rank N US, JP):
- Rank 2 39, 24
- Rank 3 86, 55
- Rank 4 137, 87
- Rank 5 192, 123
- Rank 6 248, 160
- Rank 7 351, 201
- Rank 8 463, 232
In the Japanese version, it's 100% 230-240 times. I think you'll make about twice as much money. I haven't had many attempts, so this is just for reference. At 45% snowfield, there are 90 JP and 140 US. Battles don't exactly double."

If anyone else has more information to add, please yell at me in the Discord.

^probably a mistranslation idk yell at deepL not me

Name	Author
How to install the game to your PS2 HDD	SkyeSage17 4 years ago
JP Routes	SkyeSage17 4 years ago
Primary differences between JP and US/PAL (for Jamil and Aisha, at least)	SkyeSage17 4 years ago