Poll: What's your opinion of Strategy Guides?

[Blazing Steel]

I have a couple, but only for games where I think I'm missing half the content without it. Most of my friends on the other hand hate them with a passion, believing that you can't be a true games if you use them, or something like that.

EDIT: I was thinking of paper guides at the time, not about online ones.

 

[Legion]

I only ever use online ones (why would I pay for something I can get legally for free?), and even then only once I have beaten the game and am searching for collectibles etc. I never use them for a first play-through as where is the fun in that?

 

[Binerexis]

I see them as a nasty way of people getting money off parents around the time of major holidays or birthdays. I've never known people buy a strategy guide that wasn't a gift for someone else and, for what they are, they're way too expensive.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

I would never pay for one because the internet exists. The ones on the internet are pretty good though

 

[sean.A7x]

I use online ones on the internet, because its free

 

[reg42]

I used them (I;m talking online here) when a game:
A. Has a lot of extra content, and I want to get the most of it
B. Doesn't tell you what to do
C. Is really confusing
I would never pay for a strat guide, that;s just stupid.

 

[orangebandguy]

Those hidden packages in GTa would be impossible without them!


If you don't collect them in order you'll spend ages trying to do it. Same with flying rats.

 

[tetron]

I'd never pay for a strategy guide and I frown on using them before you've played through the game at least once. I can understand using them after that for "completion" purposes especially in RPGs.

 

[Samoftherocks]

After beating the game without help, they are awesome for epic runthroughs of RPGs. My favorite: Final Fantasy 7. Chocobo goodness!!!

 

[SturmDolch]

The only ones I would buy were the Fire Emblem ones. I still beat the games with my own strategies and what not, but I didn't want to miss a single character. I also prefer print rather than online resources.

Also, I miss my Perfect Dark strategy guide. My dog ripped it apart about 6 or so years ago.

 

[Frequen-Z]

Stupid. Only remotely useful for hidden collectables, but I got all 300 Secret orbs and all 500 Agility orbs on Crackdown without a guide so really they're not that great even then.

Theres a billion and 1 websites with the same shit on it for free.

 

[dududf]

If you need them.

Use them.

Plain and simple, I've used a couple of ones for various games. Mainly Ocarina of time, damn that was frustrating (masters quest version)

*Edit
Oh wait you mean the ones that you buy, yeah not worth it.

Ever.

Free ones are online, and some times those free ones have PICTURES

 

[Plurralbles]

use e'm when you are stuck and have been stuck for a week. No shame in that since you won't ever finish the game if you don't and that would be the bigger shame.

 

[Grayfayce]

One word: IGN.

Thank you very much.

 

[GodsAndFishes]

I've only bought one, and that was for Oblivion. I was going on holiday and wanted to read something.

 

[Jandau]

Strategy Guides? As in the printed ones you pay money for? Worst ripoff since the pyramid schemes. They mostly provide info that is in the game manual, easily available in the game itself or utterly useless. And THAT'S assuming it's even correct, since guides are often made using earlier versions of the game and last minute changes can result in discrepancies.

They made sense before the internet became what it is today, but at this point if you can afford strategy guides, you can likely afford an internet connection, and GameFAQs will provide far better info than any guide...

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Only for Bethesda games and Pokemon games.

 

[Daffy F]

No, If I'm having trouble scooping up a few achievements or something, I usually look it up on the internet and print it off. Its cheaper, easier, and I don't even have to leave the comfort of my own home. (Unless the printer is out of paper or ink, damn you printer!)
Also:

Only for Bethesda games and Pokemon games.

I actually wrote a strategy guide for Pokemon Sapphire, without looking anything up. Just for fun you understand. I don't mean to be nasty or anything but I would've thought that Pokemon is more fun without anything like that, you know?

 

[Teh_Doomage]

In the days before the internet was common and the big thing, Strategy guides were a very useful tool, I'm talking pre-1999. Now-a-days, if I get a guide it's either for a series that I enjoy immensely or as a collectors item. I just won't buy one other wise. I also have a better chance of getting one if it's hardcover rather than softcover. The glue used back in the day was much better than what they are using now. Although, my Daggerfall Chronicles and Fallout 2 softcover books are holding up well.