Any% Route notes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ylp3UUzuP_9qpprd_e7ayBTdIWwbLbY42tfJVKMzlJk/edit?usp=sharing

Cat and Kappa map

https://i.imgur.com/cNQvkTC.png

There's a bit of confusion on the location of the cats and kappas so i've listed them here in the order you get them in during the run.

Notes:

Cat #10 (Robson) is locked until you speak to Part Time Hero on getting the previous 9 cats. This is why we leave Kappa #5 to get until the same time he is available.

Kappa #7 is locked until Chapter 6
Kappa #8 is locked until Chapter 7

New All Substories Route Guide

This is the new All Substories route guide!  It worked out much better than I expected, and minimizes the RNG needed for the personality traits.  I'll eventually clean it up for easier understanding and readability.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B6FoV7HwhKDXhfRaTM4YE-WDM0lGKBSxPVx-nVfdpLg/edit?usp=sharing

New Game, All Substories Guide

Check out the link for the All Substories guide! Any changes or edits that need to be made let me know.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wr64IT16AF2aigVTBze5CSQvcl0Kz0rxAqkoZuuKIvI/edit?usp=sharing

New Game+ Guide

Contains all the necessary cutscene skips (because I'm mad). Changing Kasuga and Adachi to Enforcer is solely for Tendo, he gets two-shot with Electromagnetic Storm. Any other changes will likely be minor

# Preparation
Apart from using the provided level 99 max stats save with all maxed weapons, inventory should only have:
• 5 Hand Grenades
• 2 Rocket Launchers
• 10 Smoke Bombs (just in case but entirely optional since it's slower than regular run and you can Essence out of fights anyway)
You must also move all other non-battle items to minimize menuing.

Head Gear should only have:
• Minister Hats for everyone

Body Gear should be:
• 1 Protector
• 2 Wonder Gowns
• 3 Spectrum Gowns

Shoes should be:
• 3 Dragon Boots
• 3 Iron Getas

Accessories should be:
• 3 Eyes of the Dragon
• 1 Bracelet of the Four Gods
• 1 Hariti's Amulet

Kasuga should equip:
• Minister Hat
• Protector
• Iron Geta
• Hariti's Amulet
• Bracelet of the Four Gods

# Chapter 1 (54 cutscene skips!)
• 4 cutscene skips, text skip, avoid crowd QTEs, always Y and A then run until end
• 1 cutscene skip, Attack Ushio
• 3 cutscene skips, walk around everywhere and shortcut Essence of Roadside Weapon
• 1 cutscene skip when you reach the bar, help out
• 1 cutscene skip, mash tutorial
• 2 cutscene skips then to Shangri-La
• 1 cutscene skip for Shangri-La then walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip then Hand grenade next fight
• 1 cutscene skip then walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence Hiratsuka
• 1 cutscene skip then taxi (MASH)
• 5 cutscene skips then walk ahead for Not!Jingu
• 6 cutscene skips then walk ahead, mash for Mitsu menu
• 7 cutscene skips then walk ahead
• 6 cutscene skips, grenade RIGHT guy
• 4 cutscene skips, then walk right
• 1 cutscene skip then run to marker
• 1 cutscene skip then grenade this fight
• 1 cutscene skip then hit the marker
• 4 cutscene skips then walk ahead, go up then left
• 1 cutscene skip then split

# Chapter 2 (41 cutscene skips!)
• 9 cutscene skips, Launcher
• 4 cutscene skips, walk ahead then left, then approach behind Ebisu for the office
• 2 cutscene skips as soon as you reach the office, take Chapter 1 path to cigarette shop
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 3 cutscene skips then walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip then grenade
• 1 cutscene skip then run to Shangri-La
• 2 cutscene skips then mash Smartphone menu
• 2 cutscene skips after tutorial text, then taxi to Theatre Alley (UP 4) and walk left
• 1 cutscene skip, spam Essence
• 1 cutscene skip, mash Adachi menu and text
• 1 cutscene skip then Adachi joins
• 2 cutscene skips then mash bond and run ahead
• Optimize Adachi's equipment, equip Eye of the Dragon, and shortcut Essence of Hell's Wheel
• Adachi should go first in all fights, run away if enough space or Essence
• Take left then right for path before ladder
• 1 cutscene skip for going up then menu down to progress
• 2 cutscene skips, Essence
• 1 cutscene skip then turn around
• 1 cutscene skip, Essence
• 1 cutscene skip, run ahead
• 1 cutscene skip, Essence
• 1 cutscene skip, text skip, then run ahead
• 1 cutscene skip then grenade RIGHT guy
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 1 cutscene skip then split

# Chapter 3 (33 cutscene skips!)
• 4 cutscene skips then mash tutorial, turn around for first soda machine, cutscene skip and mash for each pick up
• 2 cutscene skips then RT then LT for Can Quest
• Do the Can Quest tutorial, quit out as soon as the real minigame starts
• 2 cutscene skips, grab the yen
• 3 cutscene skips, Essence of Pigeon Migration with Nanba
• 4 cutscene skips then Nanba joins
• 1 cutscene skip then mash party chat
• Optimize Nanba's equipment, shortcut Essence of Pigeon Migration, then run to Hello Work
• 1 cutscene skip as soon as you approach the inside door, then taxi to Bar District (MASH), Survive Bar (MASH) and turn around for waypoint
• 3 cutscene skips, then Essence Matsuo
• 3 cutscene skips then taxi to Commercial District (DOWN 2), W Tsurukane Highway (DOWN 1) and walk forward and left for waypoint
• 2 cutscene skips then walk to Hamako's place
• 4 cutscene skips then Essence
• 4 cutscene skips then split


# Chapter 4 (72 cutscene skips!!)
• 3 cutscene skips then Adachi permanently rejoins, run ahead afterwards
• 3 cutscene skips then Essence, 1 cutscene skip then mash
• 1 cutscene skip then shortcut Hell's Wheel in 3rd slot, optimize Adachi's Equipment, and taxi to Commercial District (DOWN 2), Hello Work (UP 2)
• 1 cutscene skip, text skip, then Essence, 1 cutscene skip then walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip as soon as you open the door, then taxi to Red Light District (UP 2), Rose Blossom (MASH)
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence, 2 cutscene skips then mash
• 1 cutscene skip then choose, 1 cutscene skip then Essence, 1 cutscene skip then walk ahead and enter
• 5 cutscene skips then taxi to Isezaki Road (UP 1), Pocket Cafe (DOWN 1)
• 2 cutscene skips as you approach it, then Essence
• 2 cutscene skips then taxi to Red Light District (UP 2), Rose Blossom (MASH) and turn around to walk ahead. Note the entire taxi map is available now
• 1 cutscene skip then Pound, 1 cutscene skip, then mash, 1 cutscene skip then walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), Hello Work (UP 2)
• 6 cutscene skips after talking to director, then taxi to Bar District (UP 5), Survive Bar (MASH) and walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip, mash, 1 cutscene skip, then mash at Adachi
• 2 cutscene skips, choose an option, 2 cutscene skips, wait for bond to raise, then mash
• 2 cutscene skips then taxi to East Jinnai Station (DOWN 3), Sunlight Castle (MASH) and turn right to enter
• 2 cutscene skips then Essence, 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 2 cutscene skips, then turn right and mash at Totsuka
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence, 1 cutscene skip then run top right and interact with door, 2 cutscene skips then walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence, walk right then straight up 2 flights of stairs. Essence fight then walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence, guard until his turn, Essence again. Turn around for door to left of him
• 2 cutscene skips then Essence, walk ahead, 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 1 cutscene skip then mash, 1 cutscene skip then walk right to door. Menu down for key, examine map
• 1 cutscene skip then walk out of room, turn right and enter door
• 1 cutscene skip then go up ladder and door
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 7 cutscene skips then taxi to Red Light District (UP 2), Rose Blossom (MASH) then walk backward and right
• 1 cutscene skip for flyer guy, then walk to Otohime Land and 1 cutscene skip to split

# Chapter 5 (54 cutscene skips!)
• 6 cutscene skips, mash, then 1 cutscene skip, then run ahead to "Mabuchi's hideout"
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence, 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 2 cutscene skips then mash tutorial
• 1 cutscene skip then walk ahead, 1 cutscene skip then talk to everyone, cutscene skip the 3 people
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 1 cutscene skip then walk forward, 2 cutscene skips then lose Saeko
• 1 cutscene skip then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), Romance Workshop (UP 1) and turn left
• 3 cutscene skips as soon as you open the door, mash, 2 cutscene skips then taxi to Isezaki Road (UP 1), Seagull Cinema (UP 1) and walk ahead and left to the bar and interact with door
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 2 cutscene skips then taxi to Red Light District (UP 2), Rose Blossom (MASH) then walk backward and right.
• 3 cutscene skips then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), Hello Work (UP 2)
• 1 cutscene skip after opening the inside door, talk to Ririka, 1 cutscene skip, mash tutorial, 1 cutscene skip
• Change Kasuga and Adachi to Enforcer (should be UP 2 then DOWN 3), optimize Kasuga's equipment, shortcut Essence of Electromagnetic Storm for both (replace Hell's Wheel)
• Taxi to East Jinnai Station (DOWN 3), Jinnai Station (UP 1), and walk ahead to station, mash for menu
• 3 cutscene skips then taxi to Red Light District (UP 2), Rose Blossom (MASH), then walk backward and right, enter the door
• 3 cutscene skips then Essence twice
• 6 cutscene skips then talk to Eri and mash, do tutorials
• 1 cutscene skip, mash, talk to Eri and mash, from left to right assignment, go from Tome (RIGHT 1 DOWN 1) then Ai-san (RIGHT 1) then Omelette (DOWN 1), retire Furuya and old man Hiro
• 1 cutscene skip, mash for Omelette, run forward and leave
• 5 cutscene skips then taxi to East Jinnai Station (DOWN 3), Jinnai Station (UP 1) then mash at station
• 1 cutscene skip then Essence twice
• 1 cutscene skip to end

# Chapter 6 (17 cutscene skip)
• 3 cutscene skips, look around cautiously
• 1 cutscene skip, break chains by force
• 3 cutscene skips, then launcher the fight (attack if you miss)
• 1 cutscene skip, go straight, 1 cutscene skip, Essence
• Try to skip fight, otherwise Essence/Run
• After the first long corridor, make two hard rights to avoid fight and bamboozle
• Mash text for Yan, Essence twice, menu down to exit
• 4 cutscene skips, then taxi to Isezaki Road (UP 1), Seagull Cinema (UP 1) and walk ahead
• 1 cutscene skip, keep going
• 1 cutscene skip, Essence
• Text skip then Essence
• 1 cutscene then Essence
• 1 cutscene then split

# Chapter 7 (24 cutscene skips)
• 2 cutscene skips, mash the phone text, taxi to Koreatown (UP 4), Hyakkei (UP 1)
• 1 cutscene skip, follow Seong• hui
• 1 cutscene skip, mash for Seong• hui text
• 1 cutscene then Essence, 1 cutscene then Essence
• Run right, aim for marker, 1 cutscene at the wire, mash party chat, 1 cutscene in the open area, use mouse, 1 cutscene then Essence, mash party chat, walk to door, 1 cutscene, menu down
• 5 cutscene skips, Essence
• 1 cutscene Essencex3
• 2 cutscenes then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), W Tsurukame (DOWN 1), turn around for waypoint
• 1 cutscene then taxi to Chinatown (DOWN 1), N Chinatown (MASH), walk backward
• 3 cutscenes then split

# Chapter 8 (8 cutscene skips)
• 1 cutscene then mash menu
• 1 cutscene skip then taxi to North Jinnai (DOWN 4), Part Time Hero (MASH), walk backward
• 1 cutscene then Essence, 1 cutscene skip and keep walking, interact with door
• 1 cutscene then Essence 3 times
• 1 cutscene, walk and interact, 2 cutscenes then split

# Chapter 9 (24 cutscene skips)
• 2 cutscene skips then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), Can Quest (UP/DOWN 3)
• 1 cutscene skip then walk forward
• 1 cutscene, Essence, 1 cutscene then go straight, left leaning
• 2 cutscene skips then Essence, 2 cutscene skips then mash for menu
• 1 cutscene then Essence, 2 cutscenes then Essence 3 times
• 2 cutscene skips then walk forward, 1 cutscene then walk forward again, 3 cutscene skips then walk forward, 1 cutscene skip then mash Adachi menu, 1 cutscene skip then Essence
• 4 cutscene skips then split

# Chapter 10 (26 cutscene skip)
• 1 cutscene skip then talk (twice), 1 cutscene skip then Essence, 1 cutscene then Hot one, 2 cutscene skips then DO NOT OPTIMIZE HAN, only shortcut Trick Shots, taxi to Isezaki Road (UP 1), Seagull Cinema (UP 1), walk forward
• 1 cutscene then Essence twice, 1 cutscene then walk, mash for menu
• 1 cutscene then Essence, 1 cutscene then walk, 1 cutscene then Essence, mash party chat, 1 cutscene then Essence twice, walk backward, mash party chat, menu down for fight
• 1 cutscene skip, Essence twice, 1 cutscene skip, get Nanba back, guard with Han then Essence
• 2 cutscene skips, walk, 2 cutscene skips then taxi to Red Light District (UP 2), Rose Blossom (MASH), walk bottom and left
• 4 cutscene skips, talk to Nanba
• 1 cutscene skip then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), Can Quest (UP/DOWN 3), walk forward
• 2 cutscene skips then taxi to Chinatown (DOWN 1), N Chinatown (MASH), walk backward
• 1 cutscene skip then split

# Chapter 11 (24 cutscenes)
• 4 cutscenes, Zhao joins, 1 cutscene skip, mash text, optimize Nanba THEN Zhao, shortcut Ladder for Zhao, then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), Can Quest (UP/DOWN 3)
• 1 cutscene skip, walk forward
• 1 cutscene skip, then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), W Central Street (DOWN 2), walk backward
• 3 cutscene skips then taxi to Commercial District (UP 3), Ichiban Confections (MASH), walk forward
• 1 cutscene skip then taxi to Bar District (UP 5), Survive Bar (MASH), walk forward
• 2 cutscene skips then Essence, 2 cutscene skips then taxi to Red Light District (UP 2), Rose Blossom (MASH), walk backward and right, mash menu
• 7 cutscene skips then Essence (Pigeon), 1 cutscene skip then Essence twice (Pigeon then Storm)
• 1 cutscene skip then split

# Chapter 12 (33 cutscenes)
• 2 cutscenes then taxi to Bar District (UP 5), Survive Bar (MASH), walk forward
• 2 cutscenes then taxi to Red Light District (UP 2), Rose Blossom (MASH), walk backward and left, mash for menu
• 4 cutscenes then walk forward, 3 cutscene skips then taxi to Bishamon Bridge (UP 4)
• 2 cutscenes, mash, 2 cutscenes then Taxi to Omi HQ (UP 1)
• 1 cutscene then force a fight, wait a little bit for the proper cycle then keep going, 1 cutscene then Essence
• 1 cutscene then Essence about 5 times, remember to skip Blade Kill
• 4 cutscenes then mash Poundmates, taxi to Omi HQ (UP 1)
• 5 cutscenes then Essence
• 1 cutscene then Essence
• 5 cutscenes then split

# Chapter 13 (29 cutscenes)
• 6 cutscenes then taxi to Chinatown (DOWN 1), N Chinatown (MASH), walk backward
• 2 cutscenes then taxi to Isezaki Road (UP 2), Entrance (MASH), walk backward
• 1 cutscene then Essence
• 4 cutscenes then taxi to East Jinnai (DOWN 3), Election Office (DOWN 1)
• 1 cutscene then taxi to Bar District (UP/DOWN 6), Survive Bar (MASH), walk forward
• 2 cutscenes then walk forward
• 3 cutscenes then taxi to Koreatown (UP 5), Yokohama Blvd (MASH), walk bottom right and around the railing
• 1 cutscene then Essence, 1 cutscene then taxi to Red Light District (UP 3), Rose Blossom (MASH), walk bottom and left
• 1 cutscene then Essence, 1 cutscene then Essence 3 times
• 9 cutscenes then split

# Chapter 14 (24 cutscenes)
• 2 cutscenes then Essence, 1 cutscene then taxi to North Jinnai (DOWN 4), Part Time Hero (MASH), walk backward
• 1 cutscene then Essence, 5 cutscenes then taxi to Koreatown (UP 5), Fukutokucho (UP/DOWN 2), walk backwards, mash for menu
• 2 cutscenes then Essence 4 (?) times, Kiryu must attack before transitioning
• 3 cutscenes then walk forward, 2 cutscenes then walk forward, then taxi to Bar District (UP/DOWN 6), Survive Bar (MASH), walk backward
• 1 cutscene skip then walk forward, 1 cutscene then Essence, 1 cutscene then walk backward, 1 cutscene then Essence, 1 cutscene then Essence twice (Kasuga will not get feared thanks to Bracelet)
• 3 cutscenes then mash then split

# Chapter 15 (28 cutscenes)
• 5 cutscenes, mash B and A, taxi to East Taihei (DOWN 1), walk forward
• 4 cutscenes, taxi to Tenkaichi (UP 4), 2 cutscene skips, exit Serena through the back, taxi to Millennium Tower (UP 5), walk backward, mash for menu
• 4 cutscenes then Essence, mash party chat, walk forward then 1 cutscene
• Essence everything, mash party chat in the green room, 1 cutscene skip at the elevator
• Turn right, essence everything, 1 cutscene skip at white door, 1 cutscene skip up the stairs, go ahead instead of right, skip the one fight after the door, 1 cutscene skip at the elevator
• Skip one fight in the lobby by delaying a run and running into next fight, 1 cutscene after stairs, menu down to keep going
• 1 cutscene skip, Essence Tendo with 2 Storms (yolo and hope for no Right Hand, usually can't pull it out immediately)
• 7 cutscenes then Essence
• Mash text then mash at Aoki

Updated Any% Route Notes (trying to keep current)

This is the new route that gets Tier 3 Blacksmith in Chapter 7!  It is still a little rough around the edges, but I will update this as I refine it! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l65TPzqoXQZTA_el2-VWoXOvYjkYqfTX/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105046282812606427950&rtpof=true&sd=true

and here is a VOD of my PB that people can use to see it in action (again will update as it gets refined)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odEjXVq3ULAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odEjXVq3ULA

( Old Route below)

{https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DB-Fi35ugaovETZeMyNVjoo60pMF2V7rrOxQ_hiQQno/edit?usp=sharing

Not a full-blown explanation like Froob's notes, moreso a shorthand guide that I can easily follow during runs. I will do my best to keep this up to date as the community thinks through new strategies!}

Name	Author
Any% Route notes	Froob 2 years ago
Cat and Kappa map	Froob 1 year ago
New All Substories Route Guide	MechanalystTom 1 year ago
New Game, All Substories Guide	Duders 3 years ago
New Game+ Guide	RyuHousen 2 years ago
Updated Any% Route Notes (trying to keep current)	MechanalystTom 1 year ago