Umihara Kawase FAQ

Q: What is the world record?
A: The best run I've found is 1:59 by Kintyorru. I'm not completely sure if it's the record since there's no convenient site collecting Umihara runs, but given its level of execution, I'm fairly confident that it is indeed the record. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltrBXSxerAI

Q: Do you play on console?
A: Yes, I play on a SNES modified to accept SFC carts. I use a stock SFC controller.

Q: What is Umihara Kawase?
A: Umihara Kawase is a 1994 Puzzle Platformer released only in Japan for the SFC. Its gameplay revolves around the use of the title character's fishing line to traverse levels (fields). Some fields have multiple exits, so there are numerous routes leading to the end of the game. You can find the field map here: http://tasvideos.org/GameResources/SNES/UmiharaKawase/FieldMap.html

Q: How does the fishing line work?
A: The fishing line is an incredibly complex grappling hook with quite a number of variables: angle you initially cast the line at, initial speed when going airborne with the hook, initial length of the line, the frame you press directional inputs ('up' extends the line, 'down' retracts), how long you hold a directional input, your angle and speed at which you release the hook, etc. By far the most interesting aspects of the grappling hook, however, are its tension and rubbery physics, both of which lead way to really neat tricks. Even simple-looking maneuvers may involve a series of difficult, invisible directional inputs.

Q: Any%'s really short, is there a longer category?
A: There's a longer category, but not necessarily a better one. "Longest Path" is a category where you attempt to beat the game as fast as possible with the constraint that you must visit as many fields as the game allows (the field map doesn't enable backtracking). At first glance this seems like a fantastic category due to it solving Any%'s issue of being way too short, but Longest Path also involves 2 bosses running on timers. In total, these 2 bosses require you to idle around for a little less than 6 minutes.

Q: Are there any version differences?
A: The DS version has faster loading times than SFC. I'm not sure how SNES emulators compare.

Q: Where can I learn more about Umihara Kawase?
A: TAS Notes - http://tasvideos.org/GameResources/SNES/UmiharaKawase.html
TAS (Any%) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un9RtvVoD_k
TAS (Longest Path) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NzErZcyOqM

grapl bapl

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