I just got Final Fantasy XII, and after reading around and looking at how long the story is, along with all the side quests, espers, hunts, and so forth, I was wondering;

Do any of you use strategy guides?
Do you use the official book, or the fan made guides on Gamefaqs?

I've been using one since the beginning of the game cause I was pretty lost on everything, and I'm about 6 hours in. I just got out of the dungeon and back in to Rabanastre.

I really just can't decide on whether or not to continue using one or not. I mean, I want to get everything in the game, but without a guide I don't think that seems fairly plausible.

What do you think?

Final Fantasy games tend to force the player to seek outside help in order to get everything there is. FFXII in my mind is one of the worst of the bunch in this regard. I applaud those who don't fit into that category, but for the rest of us poor completionists, there's always Gamefaqs.

I do my best to go without any kind of assistance on my first file, just to see how much I'm capable of discovering on my own, before turning to faqs/friends to see what I missed.

If you really want everything on your first try, you're going to need some kind of guide. I can't comment with any authority on any official guides, but Gamefaqs has just about everything you'll need.

Alright thanks, this makes me feel a little less guilty.

Now, about the Official Strat guide, anyone here know if that is worth the $15-$20? Is it missing anything?

I have the official guide. It has virtually everything you could need to know to get everything in the game. (though I have spotted a few minor mistakes in terms of what treasures are in which chest, etc.)

I would say it's nigh-on impossible to get everything in the game in one go without the use of the guide, especially in terms of getting the damn Zodiac Spear.

As for the ones at gamefaqs, they are more entertaining, but less informative. It depends on what you want, because the official guide is brilliant for knowing everything there is to know about the game, but not so interestingly written.

As far as the treasures-in-what-chest thing goes, Isn't that almost impossible to know since they are different chances of different things in each chest?

There are a number of missing things if you get the US version :(

Like weather and entites and maps, and oh man, it is bad.

I never felt the urge to buy the strategy guide for this game. Given what's being said about the U.S. version, I'm glad I didn't. At this point, the help available on GameFAQs is more than satisfactory; this game has been out for over a year. The only reason you could want a strategy guide is if you really feel the need for pictorial help.

in my opinion, the strategy guide was such a great help. i mostly relied on it to get through the game. without it, youll just get totally lost in the game or youd just never be able to figure out some stuff in the game unless you get some help in forums etc.

I played through the game a few times. And then I got a strategy guide.

I bought a limited edition by Piggyback. It's pretty sweet but sadly you kinda need it if you are looking for certain items (loot drops by monsters) and the dreaded Zodiac Spear quest for example.

The element of randomness is just too huge.

As far as the treasures-in-what-chest thing goes, Isn't that almost impossible to know since they are different chances of different things in each chest?

Well yes, but in the Piggyback version (which I have) they have the format right, they show you the chance of a chest appearing and its chance of holding certain items or gil. It's just that the details are wrong in certain cases. Not a major issue, but if you're looking for a particular item, you can sometimes find yourself focusing on the wrong chest.

i use the guide only for hunts

I would say it's nigh-on impossible to get everything in the game in one go without the use of the guide, especially in terms of getting the damn Zodiac Spear.

As for the ones at gamefaqs, they are more entertaining, but less informative. It depends on what you want, because the official guide is brilliant for knowing everything there is to know about the game, but not so interestingly written.

i never thought about getting everything in any game before i discovered gamefaqs, etc...now i dont feel like i've really beaten a game unless i do everything possible in it...im such a sad sack

Heh. Welcome to the club!