Strategy Guides or FAQs?

[toddst]

I have never bought a Strategy Guide, but I do check out FAQs when I get stuck while playing a game. So, I am wondering what the majority of people here use and why. And, for those who bash both stragegy guides and FAQ, I don't want to hear (or read) your smart ass response.

I use FAQs because I am too cheap to buy a strategy guide.

-Todd

[Mustang93]

FAQ for one simple reason, theyre free. im not going to buy a $20 strategy guide that ill only use for a couple pages.

[Starcade]

As much as I despise the Gamefaqs message boards, I must say, the site has a good FAQ database, which I use quite often.

[liquidmetal]

meh....newest system is psx so i really dont buy stuff that i need help with. Most psx games are fighters too so maybe sometimes i get like button combo lists and stuff. Neither for me

[AB Positive]

I have to say strategy guides, because I like to collect them with games, especially RPGs and some fighters.

-AG

[Perkar]

I'm gonna have to go with Strategy Guides on this one... there's nothing like having a nice physical book with (pretty!) pictures at your fingertips to reference at a moment's notice.

a few of the gamestop's around here have a used strategy guide section... pick up guides for $2 - $4. that's the part of the store i go to first whenever i enter.

As for FAQs, they sometimes will go a little more in-depth than the guides (in some cases because they have to, since the vast majority are text-only) and that can be useful every now and then. but i really can't stand loading the things up on the computer, and in some cases printing off pages of bland text.

[Mustang93]

As much as I despise the Gamefaqs message boards, I must say, the site has a good FAQ database, which I use quite often.

the Gamecube board over there is the worst. 90% of it is people(aged 12-14) complaing about Nintendo marketing and sales.

[Oberfuhrer Hamm]

Definately FAQ's.

Why buy a $20 book when you can find the same thing for free on the net? Besides if you really wanted a hard copy, just print something off of the net.

I remember getting a 90 page walkthrough for FFVII once... and completely free.

[MarkM2112]

I tend to prefer "Just the FAQs" (had to be said...) because some of the older games I get come loose without ANY documentation. And since I prefer some of the more complex types of games, (such as Sim City, Utopia, strategy and RPG's [did you ever try to play a KOEI game without any docs? yeow!]) these are almost impossible to play without documentation of some sort, and since most FAQs have a command list included, they are a godsend. As far as strategy guides, I see little point to them, since I would rather solve the puzzles myself, rather than being told what to do. there is a greater sense of accomplishment that way.

[IntvGene]

FAQs are great because I can search them to find only what I need help on. If I have a strategy guide, I tend to flip through it and see stuff that spoils it for me. Gamefaqs is great for the FAQs. The message boards are quite awful though.

[Bighab]

I like to get the strategy guide for RPG and strategy games. Not so much for the puzzle solutions but for all the item/weopon lists. For instance when playing Front Mission 3 I don't want to have to equip every Mech part to find out what skill you get with it. I think the Strategy guide is a nice compliment to the game from a collectors view too. Also I am bad for playing a game half way thru and taking a break. I look up in the guide or online faq where I am and where I should go next.

[Gunstarhero]

I like Strategy Guides, even though I try not to use them, however I voted for FAQS because these are easy to get and free. I find myself only needing faqs for newer stuff with lots of hidden items and whatnot. I don't usually need gameplay tips, thats for rookies.

[hezeuschrist]

Strategy Guides, hands down. To me they are just as big of a part of my collection as the games, and since I focus on RPG's and Strategy games, I always find them helpful. Easy to navigate, right at your fingertips, rather than having to plow through 200 pages of uneven crap that some fanboy put together in no such order. It pleases me to see people putting anchors in their FAQ's now, but most of the people who write the things are still too stupid to do so.

I try not to use them, but if I'm trying to solve a puzzle where there are a lot of random battles I'd rather just find the solution rather than go through 50 more bleh battles before I figure it out. If the battles are scarce or don't exist, I'll never use the guide.

Plus, guides make excellent bathroom reading.

[dave2236]

Strat Guides, I too like the maps and info in a strat guide.

I only buy a guide if I really need it or if it is cheap.

[bargora]

Resorting to a faq or strategy guide makes me feel like a failure as a gamer, unless it's a highly complex strategy game or simulation. That said, when I'm feeling pathetic, it's a free FAQ for me.

[SoulBlazer]

Strategy guides. Like other said, it's a important part of my collection, easier to have it in the room with the system, pictures and maps are often a godsend, and they often are more correct then many of the FAQ's on the boards.

That said, I DO use FAQ's if no guide is available, if it's just a rental, or a really old game.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

I really resent the "strategy guide economy" that has sprung up. Why not concentrate on giving games more replay value, more fun, instead of wasting so much time on unlockable this and secret that. Enough already! >

[Jorpho]

Indeed, there is something slightly unsavory about a game that contains a bucketload of secrets that you'll never find unless you buy somebody's book. It's FAQs all the way for me. Even if they're not physical printouts, they are still electronically searchable.

May GameFAQs never die. The world would be lost without it. Or not.
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