Strategy guides - Who uses them ?

I was wonderin who here uses strategy guides, and I am not talking for games like tekken or soul calibur.
But for games like resident evil or mgs.
I have a friend who buys them right with the game and then follows it right from the first time he starts the game up.
Myself, I may buy one or go to http://www.gamefaqs.com after i beat a gamae in order to find out some of the secrets and sometimes when i get really really stuck.

I never use walktroughs until I\'ve completely bored to the game and want to squeeze last bits of enjoyment from it - then is the time to buy a strategy guide.

I see no point in buying strategy-guide rightaway after buying the game, and spoiling the fun of the game by using the guide. It\'s like you following a train-track, and you are a train, when you could run free ( train referring to those who do what the guide says and running free those who don\'t ).

the most annoying case of using strategy-guides is a puzzle- or adventure-game. Such as Escape From Monkey Island. I see NO point in completing the game because of the Walktrough. I don\'t even see a point in reading hints from the guide... no game is impossible, and the funniest and most rewarding way to complete a certain hard part is by yourself.

Jeepnrocks, same here. I buy for 2 reasons. First, they\'re handy if you do get REALLY stuck. We all get brain farts and nothings worse than getting really into a game and then spending an hour (or more) trying to figure out some puzzle. Then when you do get the answer, it\'s like **DOH**!!! Sometimes the easiest thing can trip you up, so a guide is like a "lifeline" in the show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire".


Also, I treat my games like collectables. When I get a game, I get the guide %80 of the time. I think of it as a complete set that way. **Sniff sniff** Me so proud of my games..

I don\'t get guides for games that really shouldn\'t have them (Driver comes to mind). I mean C\'mon, a guide for DRIVER!!

I\'ve never bought any strategy guides, and never will, fights against my principles. After I\'ve completely familiarized myself with a game I go to gamefaqs.com (or someplace else on the \'net) and check out what I might\'ve missed. Never ever use walkthroughs and such on the first time going through a game. Even if you\'re stuck, just give it time. I was initially totally stuck on some of Silent Hill\'s puzzles, but the solution just came to me after a while of thinking (I figured out the solution to the zodiac sign puzzle just before I fell asleep on night). Rewarding, gives you a feeling you\'ve achieved something.

No, wait, er, I\'ve bought one strategy guide, yah, for Tekken 3, but it\'s not the same as a guide for some adventure game or such now is it

You only really need guides for RPG\'s, \'freedom\' adventure games etc.  There is no need for guides on games such like Gran Turismo etc.  I only ever use FAQ\'s if I can\'t beat a part of a game for about a week, these are usually RPG\'s but even then I only use them for \'that\' part of the game!  Treasure your games all you want, but make sure you put the effort into them and reap the rewards of fulfillment when you complete it on your own!  I remember doing the hard parts of Zelda 64 and when I completed little sections, I thought to myself \'wow, this is what games playing is all about\', basically, I was feeling the enjoyment of actually working things out and doing it myself!  NEVER GIVE UP

I buy them for big adventures games like FF, because I dont like to miss something...

I think the cool way to use it is to open it only when you\'re stuck....but sometimes , guides are like a trap :

you just follow the guide line by line and there\'s no interest anymore, and you spend more time reading it
than playing ;

or you\'re too straight with it  : "at the beginning of the level, choose the right path"

What right path ? That one right now, or the one later? Cause you just read there was supposed to be a right path, you search for it everywhere and can\'t find it....which won\'t happen without the guide...

Anyway, it can be very usefull....

I detest guides. Following a guide is more like doing homework than playing a game. It\'s like reading a textbook. Sure everyone gets stuck, but you\'ve got to stick it out, or maybe ask a friend.

I would never succumb to using a strategy guide. Hate to be harsh here, but you are no gamer if you need a book next to you to help you beat a game.

(for those that use it 100% of the time)

- dm
- what\'s in the f\'cking box?

Well... I use them (only from gamefaqs)... sometimes, when I´m completely stuck... just before I hate the game - then I use them...

Maybe it´s because I´m a bit dumb...

The Eye,

See in that case I understand. Cause if you\'re absolutely stuck to the point that the game is becoming frustrating, you want to move on. I just think it\'s dumb to buy a game and have the book next to you leading you throughout the entire way. Just read the book and don\'t even bother playing then.

- dm
- what\'s in the f\'cking box?

I only use the game guides when have a problem. Sometimes is impossible to finish the game without one.

The general view on this one is that you should buy a game and play it and only use a guide when necessary.  Buying a guide with the game is like reading a script of the movie before going to the cinema to see the film!  A bit of a waste of time really!

Well , its nice to see that noone has yet to say i read them right from the start like my one friend does. The only other time i will use them is when my girlfriend and i are playing and i get stuck. She thoroughly enjoys watching games like silent hill resident evil ect.. but once i get stuck somewhere and she cant figure it out either ps2 time comes to an end rather quickly
but a girlfriend that enjoys games some is better than one that enjoys games none !

i have never used a strategy guide exeot on 1 game...xenogears

Xenogears, what a game...and you used a strategy guide??? what part did you get stuck in?  I\'m proud to say I beat it all on my own, even if it took me 60 hours ...I myself don\'t use strategy guides but occasionally browse the net for help when i\'m stuck ( silent hill comes to mind)