Final Fantasy - Do you use the guides to play them?

[debian4life]

When playing the Final Fantasy games do you use the step by step guides or cheats to finish them? Also by using guides or cheats do you feel it improves or impairs the enjoyment of the game?

I don't, which is probably why it takes forever for me to complete them.

Regards,

Brian

[zdan80]

Ive never used a guide for a game on my first time through. If I ever replay them and feel I missed out on some stuff I might, but I never understood how using a guide to get through a game could possibly be any fun. Id rather rent a movie if all I was doing was watching and not thinking on my own.

[rubiks-q-bert]

Ive never used a guide for a game on my first time through. If I ever replay them and feel I missed out on some stuff I might, but I never understood how using a guide to get through a game could possibly be any fun. Id rather rent a movie if all I was doing was watching and not thinking on my own.

Ditto.

[DJ Daishi]

I think the only time I've used a strategy guide is when I played shenmue.

[Berserker]

In 1997 I made use of the strategy guide for FF7 and it absolutely ruined the experience for me. Never again!

[kainemaxwell]

I usually do at the tough parts or glance through if there's anything I might miss.

Started using them more after realizing I had missed numerous ways to finally upgrade my weapons near the end of the first disc of FF8, hense part of my dislike for the title.

[DigitalSpace]

I use guides, but try to limit the use to when I'm stuck somewhere, or when I want to make sure that I didn't pass up a valuable hidden item before the area (I hate doing that).

[108Stars]

I always use the guide in my second playthrough, but NEVER when I first play them. They are great for finding all secrets, but you should ply by yourself first.
I can´t comment much on the Bradygames-books, I heard they had quite many errors though....personally I buy the European books by Piggyback.

[G-Boobie]

I don't use guides for games my first time through unless I become absolutely irrevocably stuck, which hasn't happened since Morrowind.

[kaedesdisciple]

In 1997 I made use of the strategy guide for FF7 and it absolutely ruined the experience for me. Never again!

Did you use the Versus or the Brady guide? I used the Versus one back when it was released and it gave me great insight as to what was around me without ruining any of the plot points. The guide helped me get the most I could out of the game, especially with regards to the side quests. Easily the best strategy guide I have ever used.

[calthaer]

I usually do at the tough parts or glance through if there's anything I might miss.

Started using them more after realizing I had missed numerous ways to finally upgrade my weapons near the end of the first disc of FF8, hense part of my dislike for the title.

A lot of JRPGs are like this, which is one big reason why I don't like them as much. Lots of times there will be a rare item or something that is only available at a certain town when you first get to it - and then some event will destroy the town, and instead of being able to get it somewhere else later on, it's just lost to you forever.

So yeah - I always check the guides to see what types of things there are that SHOULD have roadsigns pointing to them but DON'T. At least, when playing JRPGs I do.

[heybtbm]

I use RPG guides strictly for reference material. Items, spell power, where to find certain side quests, etc...that kind of stuff. As far as the main game walkthrough, I always skip it.

Sometimes a guide is practically necessary to finish a RPG 100%. Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne is a perfect example. There are a few enemies that you need to have a battle strategy going in before you fight them. Trial and error doesn't cut it for a enemy that takes 1 hour to get to (with no save point) and takes another hour to defeat. That particular guide is gold.

[FantasiaWHT]

Generally, I only use them if I'm absolutely stuck. I really don't have the playtime anymore to run around the world trying everything.

The one exception was FF7. I was so sick of that game, but wanted to finish it so I could have credibility when I bashed it, heh. Used a walkthrough for about the last 2/3rds of the game just to get it done fast.