How Speedrunners Approach In-Game Achievements

15 September 2025

If you’ve ever watched a speedrunner blaze through a game in record time and thought, _“Wait… did they just skip half the content?”_—you’re not alone. Speedrunning is one of the most fascinating subcultures in gaming. But here’s the twist: you might think speedrunners avoid achievements like the plague—but nope, many of them actively hunt them down. Just… differently.

So, how do speedrunners tackle in-game achievements? Do they sprint past them, embrace them, or break the system entirely? Buckle up, because we're diving deep into the world where speed meets completionism—and trust me, it’s way cooler than it sounds.

What Are In-Game Achievements, Really?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s level set.

In-game achievements are virtual badges of honor. They’re those little digital high-fives you get for doing something specific—like finishing a level without taking damage, beating the game on hard mode, or petting 100 virtual dogs (yep, that's a thing).

They’re meant to challenge players, guide exploration, or just add a little extra spice to gameplay. Achievements are different from just beating a game—some are super obscure, hidden away like Easter eggs, while others require full mastery.

But how do these line up with speedrunning, where the name of the game is all about—you guessed it—speed?

Let’s talk about that.

Speedrunning 101: The Fast and the Brainy

First off, speedrunning isn’t just about going fast—it’s about going smart. Speedrunners dissect games like scientists in a lab. They learn every frame, every glitch, every trick in the book (and a few that aren't).

There are different categories in speedrunning too:

- Any% – Complete the game as fast as possible by any means. Glitches and sequence breaks? Totally allowed.
- 100% – Get _everything_ in the game—and still finish fast.
- Low% – Beat the game with as little as possible. Talk about minimalism!
- Glitchless – No funny business—just raw skill.

So where do achievements fit in all this? Well, that depends on the runner and the game.

Achievements vs. Speed: Frenemies or BFFs?

Here’s where it gets interesting. On the surface, achievements and speedrunning seem like oil and water. Why hunt down a secret collectible when you're on a timer, right?

But the relationship is more complicated than that. Some speedrunners do chase achievements—just with a strategy that’s, well, radically different than your average gamer.

Let’s break it down.

1. The Challenge Achievements

Some achievements are actually designed to be speedrun-friendly. Things like:

- “Beat the game in under 2 hours”
- “Complete the final boss without taking damage”
- “No death runs”

These are like catnip for speedrunners. They're already trying to do insane stuff quickly—so if a game hands out digital kudos for that? Bonus!

In fact, these achievements often validate a runner's ability. It’s like a pat on the back from the devs themselves.

2. The Collect-A-Thon Achievements

Now, this is where things get spicy.

You know the ones—“Find all the hidden teddy bears” or “Collect 999 feathers.”

For casual players, these are a chill side quest. For speedrunners? They’re a logistical nightmare. But here’s the kicker: some of them _love_ it.

Enter the 100% Speedrun Category—where the goal is to collect every item, discover every area, and earn every achievement (where applicable), as quickly as humanly possible. It’s like solving a massive jigsaw puzzle, blindfolded, while on a treadmill.

Want a good example? In _Hollow Knight_, the 112% speedrun requires mastery over every upgrade, every boss, and yes, achievements too. It's mind-blowing.

3. The Quirky or Glitchy Achievements

Some achievements are so obscure or glitched that they become puzzles in themselves. Speedrunners are naturally inclined to optimize and exploit—so if an achievement is broken or requires weird steps?

They’re all over it.

They figure out how to trigger it the “wrong” way, often saving time in the process. Imagine skipping half a quest and _still_ getting the reward. Wizardry.

Why Speedrunners Care About Achievements

You’d think someone focused purely on speed wouldn’t care about achievements. But here’s the thing—many speedrunners are also passionate completionists. Or at least, they like a challenge.

Here’s why achievements are part of the speedrunning world:

1. Bragging Rights

Speedrunning is competitive, but also collaborative. A unique achievement unlock mid-run? That’s sweet digital street cred.

Many runners stream on platforms like Twitch or upload to YouTube. Viewers love seeing rare achievement pops, especially during high-stress moments.

Imagine pulling off a perfectly timed glitch that also earns the “Impossible Achievement.” That’s clip-worthy gold.

2. Routing Innovation

Speedrunners love efficiency. So when they go for achievements, they optimize routes.

Let’s say a game has 50 achievements. A normal player might get them over 60 hours. A speedrunner? They’ll map a route to get all 50 in under 4.

It’s part puzzle, part marathon, and part performance art.

3. Extending a Game’s Lifespan

For dedicated runners, achievements offer another layer of replayability.

They’ve already finished the game 500 times. But doing it _with restrictions_? Or grabbing every trophy in record time? That breathes new life into an old favorite.

Plus, it keeps the community engaged. Speedrunning thrives on new challenges—and achievements deliver.

Tracker Tools and Speedrun Tech

Modern speedrunners don’t go in blind. They’ve got tools—lots of tools.

Achievement Trackers

Sites like TrueAchievements or Steam offer breakdowns of what’s left to do. Runners use these to plan their paths.

Splits & Timers

Software like LiveSplit lets runners time every part of a run. When going for achievements, they add goal markers to track progress mid-run.

Community Wisdom

Speedrunners aren’t lone wolves. They share strategies on Discord, Reddit, and speedrun.com. If someone finds a faster way to grab all achievements in a game—trust me, it’ll be documented.

Memorable Games with Speedrun-Worthy Achievements

Let’s highlight a few games that perfectly blend achievements and speedrunning:

The Binding of Isaac

With multiple characters, endings, and unlocks—this roguelike is a speedrunner’s playground. Many runs double as achievement hunts.

Celeste

This indie gem pushes players to their limits. It’s full of hardcore achievements that align naturally with speed techniques. Also, it teaches you to love pain. Kinda.

Resident Evil Series

The “S-Rank Under 2 Hours” achievements are tailor-made for speedrunners. It’s survival horror… but fast.

Super Mario Odyssey

Any% runs are already insane—but grabbing every moon quickly? That’s a whole new beast.

Does Achievement Hunting Change the Speedrun?

Absolutely.

When achievements are in the mix, the entire route shifts. Suddenly, a runner has to detour to pet a dog, or avoid using a power-up, or talk to an NPC they’d usually skip.

It adds layers. More complexity. More decisions. More drama.

Think of it like this: a regular speedrun is a sprint. An achievement speedrun is a triathlon—with hurdles, detours, and juggling thrown in.

Final Thoughts: A Whole New Kind of Completionist

Speedrunners aren’t just about going fast. They’re about going _smart_. And in-game achievements? They’re another puzzle to solve. Another mountain to climb—only faster.

So the next time you see someone tearing through a game in 30 minutes, don’t assume they’re just skipping content. Chances are, they’ve memorized every inch of that world. They’ve probably got a route, a goal, and maybe even a few achievements to unlock along the way.

It’s not just about “beating” the game.

It’s about mastering it.

And when achievements are part of the mix? That mastery hits a whole new level.