SiderealPassing
Ex-Soldier
Personally, I don't think I'd have the patience. Any side-quest that requires you to rush through the game and skip FMVs isn't worth doing in my opinion.
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It isn't too difficult, it's really just a speed run. It only seems daunting because like with any speed run, you might miss items and will have low levels.
If you're familiar with the game, you can follow Atomos199's Excalibur 2 + Perfect Game Guide which gets you a perfect game file with Steiner's ultimate weapon. There is someone on SDA who has completed the game in 8:32, so the 12 hour time limit isn't really too bad. It does take practice and a little bit of luck, but it's not as impossible as it sounds, I've done it before and I'm not a huge fan of speed runs on Final Fantasy games.
I got it once... but really, it is not worth how much of the game you miss, even with the walkthrough mentioned above... You miss a good chunk of story and interesting facts... If you are into speed runs, go for it I guess, but me... I play too much story for it to matter
You absolutely miss a certain part of the game's enjoyment when attempting this run (the same way you would with any other video game). However it also adds quite a bit for those hungry enough. It's a grand prize for the players who seek to totally complete the game. You really get deep into how the game plays as opposed to how the story unfolds. You need to know about proper character customization, everything on boss fights (master strategies), getting around the game's areas
Also, the abilities that come with it can be learned well beforehand. If people are aiming for a class S ranking, too, it really isn't necessary.In the end this sword isn't even that much more powerful from Zidane's Ultima weapon. (108 vs 100)
Getting the Excalibur II requires a definitive 'speed play', which is an exercise in skill rather then enjoying the game.
The sword is no doubt there specifically for those who are into that sort of thing. I'm not; if I pop in a Final Fantasy, I thoroughly enjoy it. I have never even seen the Excalibur II and I've played through IX many of times lol.