Sometimes. With a few exceptions, they mostly only contain snippets of interesting information about the game now. It's a 5 minute flick through, making me salivate at whatever I'm about to play.
Poll: Do you read game manuals?
- Thread starter Kironcho
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The only manuals I recall actually reading through are for Fallout 3 (I was confused as hell when I first played it so I went back to it more than once) and Gears of War 2 which actually looked pretty cool and even had a list of all the weapons in it.
Otherwise, I read it for the basics, mainly for controls
Otherwise, I read it for the basics, mainly for controls
I'm kind of surprised at the number of folks that read through manuals. I only ever flip through to see if there's any art from the game after first picking it up. Then it never sees the light of day again.
Maybe I'm just being cocky and assuming I don't need the things, because I've played games before; I MUST know how this one works!
Maybe I'm just being cocky and assuming I don't need the things, because I've played games before; I MUST know how this one works!
I miss game manuals. If I want pamphlets to read I'll ansewr the doors to religious salespeople.
I always read them. At least, when they're interesting. Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance has a pretty awesome manual.
I never read manuals, I rent all my games now anyway and they don't come with a manual but I am able to manage fine without one. Google always has the answer quicker anyway.
Yeah I always do... well, always when they actually provide one that is. That said, I don't necessarily make it a point to read the manual before I play the game or anything. A well designed game shoulnn't require a manual reading to be enjoyable to play.
Exactly. I'd pore over every inch of a decent game manual. Now it's just warranties and basic controls, and every time I see that utter lack of effort I just... I just...burningdragoon said:
Used to. Now all they are console wise are pamphlets.
captcha: bacon & eggs
How does this thing know what I ate for breakfast?
captcha: bacon & eggs
How does this thing know what I ate for breakfast?
As many before have mentioned, back when they were good, I did. Now I just leaf through them during install or loading screens. I always have the box of the game I'm playing near, and if it has a manual it'll be in there.
Only if there hasn't been a tutorial. Because now if you read the manual (what little of it you get that is) and learn the controls, a lot of games just have tutorials that make sure you understand that you can press X! or Left click! or Hold Control! by having you do the same thing 10 times over before you feel like you're actually doing anything for yourself. I may as well learn from the tedium of tutorials by not knowing the controls going into them.
If it's an actual manual, yes. If it's three pages stapled together, one being an advertisement - then not usually.
I'll read it if there's any interesting flavor text. But honestly, decent game manuals in general are becoming a bit of a rarity. Most of the tutorials are just on the disc, and a slip of paper indicating such is often included, rather than an actual manual. I know it's petty, but I kinda miss flavor text 
Games still have manuals?
You mean those 2 page cheat sheets that explain the buttons? I wouldn't call those manuals. Besides, when it comes to new games I barely need a manual anyway. Or a tutorial for that matter. Just knowing what button does what and I'll figure the rest out myself.
You mean those 2 page cheat sheets that explain the buttons? I wouldn't call those manuals. Besides, when it comes to new games I barely need a manual anyway. Or a tutorial for that matter. Just knowing what button does what and I'll figure the rest out myself.
I used to, back when effort actually went into them. I liked to look at the artwork and read all the little passages that someone actually took the time to write. Now it's just a control diagram.
This was also back when I was a kid, and had nothing else to do while sitting in the car on the way back from Gamestop.
This was also back when I was a kid, and had nothing else to do while sitting in the car on the way back from Gamestop.
I flip through them and read them if it?s one that actually has character and world information but few games have that now. In fact many games don't even come with manuals. Most games have a in game tutorial anyway or have nothing that can?t be figured out just by looking at the key bindings so reading manuals is unnecessary.
Few years back when games came with proper manuals, I usually glanced through them. During the install and so on. Sometimes you even had to check some facts. Later on, games like GTA's had some funny stuff and otherwise well-thought things adding and defining the context, so those leaflets I looked more properly.
Now, basically all my games are on Steam, with a couple, also digital, exceptions. Those don't have manuals, or I guess they do have some kind, but I've never looked at them. Games with in-game manuals so-to-speak, like Civilization games' civilopedia you kind of have to look at then and again, but I don't think those would count.
Now, basically all my games are on Steam, with a couple, also digital, exceptions. Those don't have manuals, or I guess they do have some kind, but I've never looked at them. Games with in-game manuals so-to-speak, like Civilization games' civilopedia you kind of have to look at then and again, but I don't think those would count.