Poll: Strategy guides

[Blaster]

I'm an avid gamer and longtime guest of the escapist forums before actually bothering to login, let alone post on the forums. I tend to buy alot of the "high-profile" games (Battlefield 3, ACR, UC3, etc.) as well as the small "indie" games. What I'm wondering is, how apt (or not) to buy/use the strategy guide that comes with the game, whether you pick up the collector's edition or not. Is it to use, or just to say you have it (this applies to both the standard and collector's edition versions of a strategy guide)?

Personally, I get the guides if the game is long and has a lot of intricate details (I'm looking at you Skyrim and Dragon Age).

 

[Supertegwyn]

I buy strategy guides for games that need them (Skyrim, Fallout, Mass Effect etc.) but never unnecessary ones.

 

[Chevalier noir]

Why buy a strategy guide when all of that info ends up on gamefaqs for free?

 

[meryatathagres]

How does mass effect need a guide? It's pretty much railroaded. Don't really understand one for Skyrim either...TES games are much about exploration, take that away and you're left with a rather mediocre game..
I have one strategy guide. One for WoW classic. It was dated when it came, even tho it was a CE or beta reward, or smth like that. Can't remember so far back clearly..

 

[Supertegwyn]

How does mass effect need a guide? It's pretty much railroaded. Don't really understand one for Skyrim either...TES games are much about exploration, take that away and you're left with a rather mediocre game..
I have one strategy guide. One for WoW classic. It was dated when it came, even tho it was a CE or beta reward, or smth like that. Can't remember so far back clearly..

Mass Effect guides have info on a lot of the plot points and mining stuff. Not necessary, but I like it.

 

[Tayh]

Strategy guides are pure ripoffs. I don't understand why people keep buying them.

 

[endtherapture]

I've only ever had one strategy guide, and that was for Baldur's Gate 2 and Throne of Bhaal. I was about 11 when I was playing through those games though, so I think it was justified, really got me to know the game and the mechanics behind it off by heart.

However when I bought The Witcher 2 it came with a strategy guide from CDProjekt in the box, which is cool, dunno if it counts though.

 

[suxturdman]

I buy strategy guides for games that need them (Skyrim, Fallout, Mass Effect etc.) but never unnecessary ones.

I don't really see why you would need a strategy guide for Mass Effect since it's kinda linear. Skyrim on the other hand, hell yes!

 

[Mafoobula]

Gamefaqs, Gamefaqs, Gamefaqs. Almost since its inception, Gamefaqs has been one of my best friends.
Strategy guides might be handy for some games, and unless you use one online walkthrough a lot, finding exactly what you want to know is likely easier with the book than your computer screen.

 

[violent_quiche]

As saleable items, their time has passed. The internet hive mind has been quick to wrap itself around Skyrim, so their only possible use is in the few weeks after release before the faqs, wikis & walkthroughs hit. As it is, I only use them when absolutely jammed, or have played through multiple times and combing for things I haven't seen yet.

 

[Ilikemilkshake]

The only game ive ever bought a Game Guide for is Dark Souls, and thats because i thought it was a game that might actually might have use for one... Ive never understood why people need guides for games like Fable, that i can complete without dying once.

They can be useful for games like Skyrim or Fallout aswell.. but tbh.. we have the internet, and anything in a Game Guide could be made outdated with patches, so the way i see it the internet is a much more useful tool.

 

[Supertegwyn]

I buy strategy guides for games that need them (Skyrim, Fallout, Mass Effect etc.) but never unnecessary ones.

I don't really see why you would need a strategy guide for Mass Effect since it's kinda linear. Skyrim on the other hand, hell yes!

I've already answered that question up above, but I'll repeat it here:

Mass Effect guides have info on a lot of the plot points and mining stuff. Not necessary, but I like it.

 

[suxturdman]

I buy strategy guides for games that need them (Skyrim, Fallout, Mass Effect etc.) but never unnecessary ones.

I don't really see why you would need a strategy guide for Mass Effect since it's kinda linear. Skyrim on the other hand, hell yes!

I've already answered that question up above, but I'll repeat it here:

Mass Effect guides have info on a lot of the plot points and mining stuff. Not necessary, but I like it.

Woaw, sorry mate! Got so excited I actually had something to write I guess. And then I failed

 

[ShockValue]

I usually don't. Though sometimes when I'm buying a game I see they have a hard cover version of one and I can't resist buying it. I love wasting money