content/blog/2021-01-01-seum.org

 1#+date:        <2021-01-01 Fri 00:00:00>
 2#+title:       SEUM: Speedrunning and Puzzle Mechanics Operational Guide
 3#+description: Technical overview for utilizing the game SEUM, focusing on speedrunning techniques, gravity manipulation, teleportation functions, and level completion criteria.
 4#+slug:        seum
 5#+filetags:    :speedrunning:puzzle:indie:
 6
 7* Game Description
 8
 9[[https://store.steampowered.com/app/457210/SEUM_Speedrunners_from_Hell/][SEUM:
10Speedrunners from Hell]] is an incredibly fast-paced mashup of a puzzle
11game and a free-running game. Created by [[https://pinestudio.co][Pine
12Studio]] in early 2016 and first released as a
13[[https://gamejolt.com/games/seum-speedrunners-from-hell-demo/154868][demo
14on GameJolt]], this game was successfully green-lit on Steam and has
15amassed a cult following on multiple consoles.
16
17Here's the game description straight from the developers:
18
19#+begin_quote
20Like a bastard child of Quake 3 and Super Meat Boy, SEUM: Speedrunners
21from Hell is truly hardcore and focuses on speed and fast reaction.
22#+end_quote
23
24* Story
25
26SEUM does a great job setting the stage when you open the game for the
27first time, playing an animated video in the form of comic book images.
28You see Marty, the protagonist, sitting around drinking his beer as
29Satan busts down the door, cuts his hand off, and steals all his beer
30and bacon. As Satan is leaving, Marty whips a vinyl record across the
31room and cuts off one of Satan's hands. This hand is what allows you to
32use all the powers in the game.
33
34* Gameplay
35
36To accomplish each level, you will need to get to the final blue portal
37under a certain time limit. You can beat a level by getting to the
38portal before the time meter runs out or "Dominate" a level by beating
39it within a shorter time limit (noted by a bright red/orange color in
40the time meter).
41
42The portal is usually set behind locked gates, protected by dangerous
43defenses, or in hard-to-reach places. To reach the portal, you'll need
44to go through any existing orange portals, light all yellow beacons,
45avoid things like fireballs and blades, or use any satanic power orbs
46lying around. These special abilities include:
47
48- Gravity
49- Teleport
50- Rewind
51- Spawn platform
52- Roar (DLC)
53- Rocket (DLC)
54- Shadow world (DLC)
55
56For the main storyline, there are nine floors to beat. Each floor
57contains nine regular levels, one boss level, and one bonus level;
58although you don't technically need to beat all levels to advance to the
59next floor. # In-Game Screenshots
60
61The main menu gives you plenty of options for tuning your system,
62playing main levels, playing the DLC, or exploring the other game modes.
63
64Once you enter a level, you can look around and strategize before
65starting. Clicking any button will start the menu, and you'll have to
66restart if you die. One of the great things about SEUM is that it has
67great keyboard shortcuts. You can quickly smash =R= to restart the level
68or =M= to return to the level menu.
69
70Once you're able to win a level, you'll see the high scores and can
71watch replays of the best scores.
72
73Each regular level also contains a beer in a disguised location that may
74take some out-of-the-box thinking.