How do you use save states?

[solidus]

So I have always been wary of using save states abusively, especially in older games. Many games with credit systems were designed at a certain difficulty based on X number of lives and continues, and save scumming just totally ruins that. Therefore, I have always used save states as the equivalent of 'leaving on my console'. Where if I have to stop playing for that session, and the game has no built in save mechanic, I would save my state to continue next time.. but never reload that state mid game or anything. Lately though I have been thinking, if my ultimate goal is to 1CC certain games, does it make sense to use save states in order to get a feel for each section of the game and beat it a few times.. then just try for 1CC runs without them? I am playing Castlevania: Bloodlines now and not using save states abusively.. and I am having to replay the early levels so many times just to get to the later levels that I am struggling with. Been thinking of just saving state at the later levels so I can practice them. I still havent beat the full game yet though. I know there are no rules to any of this clearly, but just wondering what you all do in order to not ruin games by abusing state saving, but still use some modern convenience.

[WhataKowinkydink]

I think you pretty well stated that they are helpful getting through tedious parts.  I wouldn't sweat using them - just think of them as time savers.  If you feel like you're not getting the practice you need because of a saved state, then roll back a few levels and save the state. 

[Keatah]

I use them to stop the grinding, mostly. I use them as a way to start at higher (or different) levels sooner. And as a way to go back and practice a specific move or scenario.

[NE146]

How do I use save states? Anyway I want to.  

 

No but seriously.. I'm using them right now to complete Dragon Spirit on the TG16 Mini.  I've owned the game since it was new and could always get very far.. almost to the end, but never quite finish it even at the height of my gaming prowess. So I'm using save states now to do what I always wanted.. i.e. 1) never lose a power-up, and 2) Finish the game. It's all about what makes it fun 

 

I also have used it to recently complete games like NES Ninja Gaiden(s), Mega Man 2, Bionic Commando, Blaster Master. I have finished those games DOZENS upon DOZENS of times when they were new.. so I don't feel bad about using save states now. Doing it for real? Been there, done that. Now I want have fun exploiting it and save states do it. 

 

Oh last week I also used save states (and speedups) to finish NES Final Fantasy 1, bugs and all. This is the 1st time I finished since I first got the game, so it's been decades since.  Save states allowed me now to save anywhere, even in a dungeon so that if I died, I didn't lose any progress. Good times. 

[solidus]

All good answers I am starting to flirt with the idea of getting into speedrunning, 1cc attempts, etc and Im feeling like those things are nearly impossible without doing your practice runs using save states. Obviously when going for the actual run you wouldnt use them.. but I cant see how I can practice hards parts enough without using states. Like I said I previously really only used them when I wanted to shut down for the session and be able to pop back in. But Im thinking Ill have to be more lenient if I want to do some challenge type runs

[Keatah]

It's like how many ways can you kill the boss? Make a savestate with all your weapons and armor and stuff and have at it. What techniques and tricks work? What doesn't?

 

Great for making videos & tutorials, too, if you're into that sort of thing.

 

Good for debugging a game WIP. Save and send to the developer to illustrate issues as they happen.

 

Edited June 7, 2020 by Keatah
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[DragonGrafx-16]

I don't usually use them since I mostly play on real hardware... but if I did I'd use them it would be to save in games that used passwords or like with Super Mario World and rom hacks of it to save the life count so you didn't have to re-farm for lives whenever you started playing. 

[Steven Pendleton]

I almost never use save states since I almost always use real hardware, but there is one exception. I usually have a save state where I have the Blue Suit in Super Metroid no matter what emulator I play it on (3DS, Wii U, etc.) just because it's annoying to get and it goes away when you save and reload, fall in quicksand, or run.

Edited June 7, 2020 by Steven Pendleton