Do you ever use any form of help, like walkthroughs, when playing video games?

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I ruined Oni by using cheats to look at the weapons that were available later on. After that, I completely lost the will to play anymore. I found it recently on sale for $2.99 for the PS2, so I will have to play it again on that format.

EDIT: I will grab a walkthrough to find out where I am at in a game that I haven't played in a long time, like FF8 or something. Over Christmas break I'll be playing Titan Quest and Immortal Throne again, and I haven't played in 3 or so months. But that games doesn't require much of a story refresher.

 

[Beev]

I only look up a walkthrough if I get stuck to the point that I get frustrated. I try to figure it out on my own as best I can, but I'm not gonna get all pissy over a game. It's there to be fun.

 

[karioskasra]

Back when I was a kid and had all the time in the world, I would be content sitting there bashing my face against an obstacle for days. Nowadays I'm too busy for that. There is no way I'm playing through any game more than once, so I always sit with a walkthrough to get all I can out of my first playthrough. The vast majority of walkthroughs will contain zero progressive spoilers, so all it does is enhance your gameplay.

Cheats, however, are a no-no for me. These will ruin the fun.

 

[ColdFusion718]

Why would you feel guilty about using a walk-through?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: ColdFusion718
Why would you feel guilty about using a walk-through?

if all your friends were elite gamers who laughed at you ?



--IF you cared


Of course. all my 'elite gamer friends' probably still live with their moms

 

[shortylickens]

In role playing games I almost always end up checking them, many games have super cool hidden items that can only be obtained at certain points. If you pass that you might never get another chance.

Console RPG's are much worse. You often need to pick up a special item at a very specific time and if you dont, it could screw up chances to get cool stuff later.

Final Fantasy 7 is a prime example.
You need to max out one of each type of magic, summon, and command materia to get the Master Materia for each type. But many of them can only be obtained once in a locked area of the game. If you dont know about it, or dont notice it, you are totally boned. You will never get those spells/abilities and never have a chance at its coorosponding Master.

Baldurs Gate 1 & 2 and KOTOR 1 & 2 are good examples for the computer. There are several places you cant go back and pick up later. If you miss the special items there it may make other areas really tough. You also miss out on very nice upgraded items from Cromwell or Cespenar.

For example, if you have the Mace of Disruption +1 in your inventory while visiting Cromwell he wont say anything about it. BUT, if you have the Illithium Ore he will mention the possible upgrade. The only problem is: it seems like just a normal quest item, it weighs an aweful lot, and most folks would be inclined to get it to the artist and complete the quest as soon as possible.
Unless you read an online guide you wouldn't even know about it. (The Official published guide from Versus Books excludes that one item, possibly because the master game explorers and strategy guide writers didn't even notice it.)

For many RPG's, they are pretty important.

For shooters and RTS's I only use them if I am totally stumped and cant figure out how to progress.

It was also nice while playing Grand Theft Auto and Test Drive Unlimited. You can run around for hours in those games and not discover all the neat special places.

 

[CKent]

Only if I'm really stuck, or to see all the goodies afterwards. I don't feel guilty, it's a balancing act to enjoy the game as much as possible, and I tend to always manage to enjoy them. This is in single player, of course - cheating in multiplayer is abhorrent.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: Captante
(1) The moment I'm stuck long enough to stop having fun I'll pause & find a way to get past the problem ... having said that I don't get stuck for more then a few minutes very often.

(2) I never feel the slightest bit guilty ... I freaking paid for the game & I'll play it any way I want.

Actually I get really pissed if cheats are left out of a game ... if solving a puzzle/beating a particular level becomes a pain in the ass then what the heck is the point of playing?

QFT.

 

[adairusmc]

Yes, I use game guides for Final Fantasy games.