Remember the old days? When you'd buy a game, and find an honest to goodness manual in the box
with the disks? A manual, usually of a fair weight, big enough to
kill all but the most hardy family members, should it fall on them.
Strategy guides are a giant scam pulled on the gaming population. You now have to pay for information you used to
actually receive in the box. Worse still, in the case of PC games, quite often the strategy guide is useless after the
first patch. A very big example: Warcraft 3. Painstakingly lists all the unit stats. The guide is about as useful as a
chocolate kettle the instant Blizzard decide to tweak units.
Not only that, but most information turns up on GameFAQ's within seconds of the strategy guide appearing, so do we
even need them? Or do they serve a valuable purpose? Such as something to read while in the bathroom.
For the record, in answer to a question the article asks, I'm a gamer who doesn't have GameFAQ's bookmarked. That's
what my browsing history is for.
Reader Comments (20)
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
I like a good strategy guide for games with lots of stats. I got one for Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced, Gladius and one with each of the Pokemon games.
Most titles don't warrant one and if I get REALLY stuck, a trip to GameFAQs seems to sort things out.
For Pokemon players, there isn't a better book than this one...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761547614/ref=pd_sxp_f/104-4483284-3740735?v=glance&s=books
Most titles don't warrant one and if I get REALLY stuck, a trip to GameFAQs seems to sort things out.
For Pokemon players, there isn't a better book than this one...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761547614/ref=pd_sxp_f/104-4483284-3740735?v=glance&s=books
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
what they are, is optional.
aside from that, they can also be good as illustrated summaries of a game you enjoyed thoroughly (as cool as ascii art is, i'd hardly call it illustration). flipping through one after the fact can remind you of your experience and make you want to play it again, or more empirically, guides can document the strengths and weakness of a certain game.
get one after, not before.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
Last time I bought a guide was in 98. That was for ff7 and was used for visual help. Now, I just get information from gamefaqs. The thing is, strategy guides do not tell you everything. As I found out there is really 'three ribbons' in ff7 from GF.com. In the official book, it said there is only two. Should not the strategy guides tell you everything?
http://www.playallot.blogspot.com
http://www.playallot.blogspot.com
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
The internet is where it's at baby. Embrace 1990!
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
Ahhh the good ol day. Yep I remeber when you use to get a worthy manual now you get a book that gives you the bare minimum of information. Have you seen the Guild Wars manual. What a wast of paper. 40 pages detailing the history (which is fine) but only a handful of actual gameplay. Then they direct you to the website for more information which is another laugh. I liked it back when you got a manual, it taught you everything to play and a strategy guide was merely used for *gasp* strategy (and some cool tricks too!) Rember when final fantasy came out with that one guide from bradygames that you needed to access the internet in order to actually use the stratergy guide OMG I was so pissed. I think for consoles strategy guides can still be good if used properly. However for PC games they should do online guides. That way it can be updated with patches.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
it actually depends. Most console games, I'll prefer the strat guide with visual aids. (Examples would be GT3, Zelda: Windwaker)
But strategy games such as RTS C&C and Warcraft, screw the guides.
But strategy games such as RTS C&C and Warcraft, screw the guides.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
My current "favorite" manual is the Forza Motorsports manual.
That, um, thing basically superficially goes over all the menu options in the game, e.g. "XBox Live Signin - logs you onto XBL". Well, duh!
The rest of the features are described pretty much in the same manner without any deeper explanation about what you're supposed to do about the features. The vinyls and tuning sections in particular are so badly documented that you require further help just to get around, if you've never used features like that before. The online lobby system documentation is also almost useless.
I wonder what Microsoft would do, if a large percentage of Forza owners would call their helpline with questions unanswered in the "manual"? I wonder, if they analyze the helpline call logs on how to improve their products in the future. Might do some good, if everyone did call...
That, um, thing basically superficially goes over all the menu options in the game, e.g. "XBox Live Signin - logs you onto XBL". Well, duh!
The rest of the features are described pretty much in the same manner without any deeper explanation about what you're supposed to do about the features. The vinyls and tuning sections in particular are so badly documented that you require further help just to get around, if you've never used features like that before. The online lobby system documentation is also almost useless.
I wonder what Microsoft would do, if a large percentage of Forza owners would call their helpline with questions unanswered in the "manual"? I wonder, if they analyze the helpline call logs on how to improve their products in the future. Might do some good, if everyone did call...
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
I enjoy buying the occasional strategy guide, if it's a quality guide with color screen shots and artwork. I will sometimes use a guide to get unstuck or to make sure I don't miss something on a second play through. I am more likely to buy a guide for an RPG than any other genre of game. However, I avoid guides for online RPGs like World of Warcraft. They are usually outdated the moment they go to print. I'm more likely to buy a guide for a console game than a PC game. But I do own quite a few PC game guides that I picked up for bargain prices.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM (Unverified) said
I miss the thick manuals.
One of my fondest memories was sitting on the school bus reading the manuals to whatever nintendo game i have just received for a gift.
One of my fondest memories was sitting on the school bus reading the manuals to whatever nintendo game i have just received for a gift.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
Aaron, I was once like that as a kid, but now I'd rather not have to read the manual to start enjoying a new game. I guess I'm the only one that doesn't even want a manual, much less a strategy guide. I'd prefer the controls be taught to me in game in some form of tutorial, as many games do, and that the controls be kept simple enough that one doesn't need a convoluted instruction manual/strategy guide that you have to keep referencing.
I guess I've just gotten to the point where I don't have time to read a manual. I just want to rip off the shrink wrap, pop the disc in, and play right away. If I want to read, I'll pick up a book.
I guess I've just gotten to the point where I don't have time to read a manual. I just want to rip off the shrink wrap, pop the disc in, and play right away. If I want to read, I'll pick up a book.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
Anyone here remember the original Civ2 manual, or perhaps the SimCity2000 for DOS manual? Those were good manuals...
The only good manual I've seen recently is the first NWN manual. It was pretty good. Half Life 2 came with a single piece of paper! Doom3 came with a flimsy little thing, which is worlds better than a tiny piece of paper!
The only good manual I've seen recently is the first NWN manual. It was pretty good. Half Life 2 came with a single piece of paper! Doom3 came with a flimsy little thing, which is worlds better than a tiny piece of paper!
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
Am I the only one that remembers actually disliking tip books and strategy guides? what happened to the real gamers that simply plow their way through a game without resorting to hints? I recall many an early issue of EGM where games were chided for including such frivolous things.
if you really need help (after hours of trying), or you're really wanting to blow the game apart on your second play, you could consult GameFAQs. real gamers don't need their hands held.
if you really need help (after hours of trying), or you're really wanting to blow the game apart on your second play, you could consult GameFAQs. real gamers don't need their hands held.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
Re: #12
The problem is that games are getting more complex without a commensurate increase in in-game help. More and more games are not telling you what you need to know to clear the game, nevermind having subquests that aren't mentioned once other than in the guides. Companies make more money when you need to pay $20 to get anywhere in their $50 game. I was an ardent guide-hater, but nowadays the designers are making it next to impossible to play without GameFAQs handy.
The problem is that games are getting more complex without a commensurate increase in in-game help. More and more games are not telling you what you need to know to clear the game, nevermind having subquests that aren't mentioned once other than in the guides. Companies make more money when you need to pay $20 to get anywhere in their $50 game. I was an ardent guide-hater, but nowadays the designers are making it next to impossible to play without GameFAQs handy.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
As the example showed perhaps for PC games that get lots of updates tweaking stats to make the game more fair, it probally isnt a good idea.
However on the console side... where games do not vary much in their cycle... it still makes plenty of sense AS AN OPTION, I prefer to only use a guide when I've already played through the easy modes and need help on the Very-Hard mode...
However on the console side... where games do not vary much in their cycle... it still makes plenty of sense AS AN OPTION, I prefer to only use a guide when I've already played through the easy modes and need help on the Very-Hard mode...
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
I'm too old to mess around for hours trying to find the sword of such and such to beat so and so. If I get stuck on one stupid thing after one or two hours, you bet I'm going to gamefaqs and looking it up so I can continue to enjoy my investment in the game instead of never playing it again. And I don't have it bookmarked because it's easy to remember.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
i just want sony to stop pushing those "playonline" strategy guides, paperback strategy guides, but all the useful bits are online and you need codes from the guide to access them... long live gamefaqs!
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
Strat guides are mostly useful for tricky console games, so you can keep the thing handy by the sofa for quick reference. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is almost unplayable without the guidebook for instance. A good guide will also have stuff GameFaqs doesn't, like character art, background info etc.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
It's an unabashedly elitist stance to take, but I'm of the opinion that strategy guides AND maunuals are for n00bs.
;P
;P
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
Prima makes shitty guides. If you have to get one only get it from Versus Books. Otherwise, gamefaqs. The only time I go for the guide is if it's a fighting game or if I've beaten the game once already.
Anyone that needs a guide for a console RPG is a fag.
Anyone that needs a guide for a console RPG is a fag.
Posted: Dec 18th 2005 9:47PM (Unverified) said
and maxis manuals were always the best around... anyone remember the SimAnt manual??
