They definately have their pros and cons. Personally I think it takes away from the enjoyment of the game... My first FF experiecne FF8 I have to admit I used a guide (not quite as detailed as a walkthrough) which helped especially since it was my first time. The others in the series I have tried to keep outside help to a minimum only looking something up on the internet if I am really stuck. Sometimes I think my way of doing the game is more effiecnt than guides, especially if you just want to get through the game as quickly as possible.

so who uses them?

Well i always play the game first and complete it without the use of any guide.
Then my second time playing il use a guide to see what i missed and see whatever sub stories or events there are at hand.

if i get stuck on a bit ill reseort to the web for a quick helping hand. I did buy a walkthru for X though cause i wanted to get everything......

Originally posted by barret.wallace
Well i always play the game first and complete it without the use of any guide.
Then my second time playing il use a guide to see what i missed and see whatever sub stories or events there are at hand.

for me it's much the same, first time i never look at a guide (And try to get away from it. the second time a read some guides try to find most of it. If it's worth a third time i needto beat everything!!

I don't like using guides the first time around. I only use a guide for my first time if I'm really, really stuck ot I need a little help on a boss.

I used 'em

Like everyone else I play the game first without the guide, then on my second play buy it to get what I missed. The only exception was in FFIX when I was stuck at finding the Black Mage Village and was tricked into buying that shitty guide.

Yeah, I definitely use 'em. Like most here, I'll usually try to play through the game first and then use the walkthrough or strategy guide. But if I get stuck on something for too long, I definitely will go to a walkthrough so I don't drive myself mad.

I don't buy or use guides, there just isn't any need for them.

Originally posted by Durendal
I don't buy or use guides, there just isn't any need for them.

Who ever said anything about buying??

There are enough guides on the web, and even the ones you buy, you can get in PDF.

Originally posted by Silver Fox
so who uses them?
*Waves hand in air*
I do.
Because I am teh lazy twat of the shrine.

Originally posted by The Bear

*Waves hand in air*
I do.
Because I am teh lazy twat of the shrine.

<333333

Sjel, you'll notice I said "or use" after buy, doesn't matter if they are payed for or not, still not much use.

I usually play the game first on my own and try figuring everything out. then I go out get the guide and do it trying to get every item. then i repeat afterwards and try different tatics.

:p i think i play ff to much

I usually try to play the game without using a player's guide, but if I get stuck then I'll use one. I never buy my player's guide either, I just find one on the internet. I think buying a player's guide would be a waste of money.

I bought the Final Fantasy X-2 Strategy Guide with a portion of a gift-certificate at Amazon.com. I found it pretty useful, particularly some of the guidemaps and stuff, and I also liked the poster.

I have also checked out the Final Fantasy IX and X guides from the library. The X guide was pretty neat, it even had some intereviews with the staff. The IX guide however, is the worst excuse for a guide ever, at least the Brady Games version. Stay far far away from it. All it has is basic strategy and references to entring codes on PlayOnline - which actually all of the content has been transferred to Square Enix's site now. In fact, you can find the entire guide there now for free, along with all of the bonus stuff from the PlayOnline site.