Walkthroughs are cheating?

[Everin]

I think that walkthroughs, at least for the first playthrough, is cheating, or at least not playing the game properly. Take Bioshock for an example. I loved finding all the little sections and finding the diaries for me was a rewarding moment. But if I'd had a walkthrough then it would have been just another little thing.
So what is the Escapist's view on walkthroughs, and do you consider them cheating, or just a helpful thing?

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

If its sitting open next to you, that's one thing. But if you get entirely stuck on a level and you just need a little hint, that's ok.

 

[DJDarque]

It depends on the game for me. I have no qualms using walkthroughs for some JRPGs, but I refuse to use them for games like Bioshock and Assassin's Creed, at least on first playthrough.

 

[Kakujin]

They are cheating, no matter why you use them or which playthrough you are on. However, I'm not saying that it is a bad thing, it's just cheating, no big deal.

 

[trollnystan]

It depends on how you use them I suppose. I use them occasionally, even in the first playthrough, especially if I've been stuck for 30 minutes trying to figure out how to do get to the next part of the game. I'd LOVE it if there were more hint sites, the ones that give you a bit of a nudge in the right direction without tell you anything overtly, but I haven't found many of those for the games I've played.

Just up and sitting with the walkthrough in front of you as you play however is cheating.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

Is it cheating? Might be. Might not be. It's subjective. What ISN'T subjective is the fact that it doesn't matter. For Singleplayer games, I can do whatever the frak I want, since in this situation Cheating is, in no way, "bad".

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

It really depends on multiple factors, like how much time do you have to play the game (i.e. can you afford to try and find everything by yourself), do you want to get 100% on your first playthrough, will you be replaying the game, etc...

I personally try to do as much as possible in the first playthrough since I can't guarantee that a second will happen, but I usually try to do it on my own, unless I'm really stuck.

 

[Pirakahunter788]

Singleplayer games can be tricky on your first playthrough.
Walkthroughs can be considered cheating, but it's Single player. Who really cares if you cheat on the boss fight, or the whole game for that matter? The game is for your entertainment, just for some people knowing what's around the next corner breaks the immersion and ruins the surprise. But, to each his own I guess.

I'm drinking Apple Cider. YEEEAAAAHHHHH

 

[LostCrusader]

Is it cheating? Might be. Might not be. It's subjective. What ISN'T subjective is the fact that it doesn't matter. For Singleplayer games, I can do whatever the frak I want, since in this situation Cheating is, in no way, "bad".

thank you for saving me the time it would take to type that.

 

[Vault101]

I feel guilty for using them...and ONLY ever if I become hopelessly stuck

(I went to youtube for help on an assasins creed 2 veiw poitn which seemed infuriatingly impossible)

 

[AngleWyrm]

If I play the game and learn all the info in a walkthrough on my own, am I now a cheater? Should I no longer be allowed to play, because I know how? Are games only for people who don't know how? Or how about this one: Is it a crime to learn to do well from someone else?

 

[deafbudy]

well they way i see it is that using a guide is no different then asking someone how they did it. so you anybody here actually call asking a friend how they beat that one boss or got passed level 8 cheating.

 

[Lukeje]

In an ideal world every game should be completely logical, with each puzzle following a logical progression from the last, and as such walkthroughs would be unnecessary. Unfortunately we don't live in an ideal world (as anyone who's ever tried to play a point and click game from the '90s will testify). Thus using walkthroughs is perfectly fine (though you may find the enjoyment you could have had from games diminished if you come to rely on them).

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

The only time i use a walkthrough is when i am stuck in a level looking for something for at least half an hour. Or i also use them to find any hidden items i missed on my first playthrough.

Is that so wrong? I don't think so i see them as references.

 

[ThisIsSnake]

Technically it's cheating. Very lightly cheating. I wouldn't do it unless I'm truly stuck, I don't use them on puzzles though as I like a good puzzle. Guides don't play the game for you so it's still an act of skill to get past a tricky part of a game.

 

[Rockus]

When I was young I was poor . . .hell, still am, but as a poor kid money for luxury items of any kind was tight. I never had a console of my own until PS1 and even then only 3 games to go with it for many years and when you only own 3 game you are going to play every goddamn little nook and cranny of them. I wasn't born a completionist, I grew into being one, and as any psycho-completionist will tell you getting that coveted 100% for some games is damn near impossible without either a guide, a sixth sense or weapons-grade OCD, so I've stuck to a two-playthrough system.

First run is to play, experience and explore. I take in the game for everything I can get out of it and immerse. The second (and subsequent if necessary) run(s) are with a guide, but not only do I get to scour the map and satisfy my compulsions, it also gives me the opportunity to analyze dissect the experience from an outside perspective.

So the point I suppose is that I for one find guides and walkthroughs to be not only a useful tool for a pointless impulse, but also an opportunity to look at the game with different eyes.

 

[deafbudy]

It's really cheating because you are cheating yourself from your own personal experience with the game.

well if you play the game for your own personal experience then it is not cheating if using a guide does not decrease your enjoyment of the game.