Strategy Guides: Play with or without them?

[Sharpshooter]

Some of my mates in school think that playing with a strategy guide is the best way to play a game. They complete FF10, and several other games, with the guide next to them, telling them everything to do and everything to find. I don't really see the point in this, as I think that in games you should find the extra items/missions by yourself as it adds to the gameplay. I don't really want to pay out £10-15 for a book on someone else playing a game and telling me how they did it. I'd really only use one if i was really stuck.

What do you do when you play a game?

[Red Devil]

Without. Theres no way i'm paying out £40 for a game and then another £15 for someone to play it for me. What is the point in someone telling you how to beat each mission? Surely the point is to work it out for yourself? The only time I will use a guide is when i'm REALLY stuck. And even then, i'm not going to pay for it. A quick Google search will usually find what I want.

[HuRRiCaNe22491]

I usually don't buy strategy guides, but when I do, it's usually after I beat the game. The main reason that I buy them is for the art and stuff. I mean, you can get all the 'strategy' that you need from somewhere like Gamefaqs.

[sasimi]

agreed, you should beat the game then get the strat guide.

[Dynamite Downs]

Nope I dont use guides either. It makes the game too easy and spoils the suprises.

[Spike]

I'll get a SG only if the game is tough to navigate, or I'd buy a SG for the maps. Like, I have SG's for LoZ: Wind Waker and GTA:VC, but that's it. Oh, and the art is cool, yeah.

[Lococard]

Strategy guides a fairly lame.

A SG for a mmorpg is good though, then u can get the needed info to creating a better character and better items.