Gamefaqs seems to have seriously declined in the last few years.
Your average game specific PA thread is usually a better substitute when a game is fairly new.
Gamefaqs forums have always been complete trash, the only reason to go there is for the guides. That obscure late 90s CRPG you are playing through? Odds are there are three or four different FAQs or guides hosted there for you to peruse. The only downside is they are text only, which means if something needs to be seen visually to be easily understood you're at the mercy of the explanatory skills of the author.
I'd take fixed-width, text-only guides any day over these steam "guides" that are just links to their LP.
Totally agree with everyone. Only time video guides are useful to me are when they're very specific videos, like a video for a specific boss that shows you the different attack animations and timing (which proved very useful to me for Dark Souls I and II), or that show hidden items/areas (again, great for Souls). And then I also appreciate video guides for complex games like Paradox Grand Strategy games that go over the interface and explain game mechanics. But besides those specific cases (and most videos aren't guides, they're just recorded streams, usually first plays so you end up not learning anything) I greatly prefer text guides for when I'm stuck.
I usually download a couple TXT guides off GameFAQS to my tablet to use as reference when I'm playing a console game (usually for RPGs), and sometimes use Steam Guides using the overlay which are very hit or miss. You'd be surprised at how much love and care went into a lot of the older GameFAQS guides, there's some quality material out there, but the recent stuff hasn't been as good and the forums are as trash and troll-filled as they've always been unfortunately.
If I'm looking for general advice or opinions, especially on builds or items, I always end up checking out either reddit threads or wikis
First real Dishonored 2 mission! I find two guards giving a street sermon to civvies all in front of some goodies I want to loot. Don't want to make the civilians in the way when I do takedowns so I find a glass object and throw it from up high to disrupt the sermon.
Guard 1 goes on patrol, gets choked out, and dragged inside a building I had just cleared.
Guard 2 stays in place so I find another glass thing to make move to a better location, choke him out, and drag him inside to a hiding spot up a few floors.
Guard 3 enters while I'm moving guard 2, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 1 to the hiding spot.
Guard 4 enters while I'm moving guard 1, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 3 to the hiding spot.
Guard 5 enters while I'm moving guard 3, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 4 to the hiding spot.
Guard 6 enters while I'm moving guard 4, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 5 to the hiding spot.
Guard 7 enters while I'm moving guard 5, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 6 to the hiding spot.
Guard 8 enters while I'm moving guard 6, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 7 to the hiding spot.
Finally I get some peace and move guards 2 and 8 to the hiding spot.
The Far Reach upgrade that lets you grab enemies is really, really useful if you're after a low chaos score but aren't perfect at stealth.
It is a great game, when it runs smoothly. Then I reach an area and the framerate tanks. Shame cause I love everything about it.
0
HeatwaveCome, now, and walk the path of explosions with me!Registered Userregular
Thanks for the input on the guides, guys. Definitely not buying the guides.
I usually google my problems on the steam browser, which kinda sucks btw, and yeah I do come across those damn youtube videos that just don't want to get to the point!
I prefer guides that are mostly text with screenshots, which was why I was contemplating buying those physical guides. Sometimes I'll also look at steam community guides but those are usually no help at all.
My favorite game guide ever was one I saw for the MMO Star Wars Galaxies. Because due to last minute changes to the game before release, the guide was complete incorrect about a lot of things. It was beautiful, and I wish I had bought it.
Before following any advice, opinions, or thoughts I may have expressed in the above post, be warned: I found Keven Costners "Waterworld" to be a very entertaining film.
I used to love game guides when I was younger. I also loved instruction manuals to read when not playing the game. Even the guides that weren't accurate were amazing to me. I still own the ff9 one and the world of warcraft ones.
Just brilliant and wish video game guides were still this good. Maybe they are? I haven't looked.
NNID: Quical
STEAM: Quical
Check out my youtube channel, maybe subscribe?: NerdAndOrGeek
I feel like GameFAQs' decline could be related to the rise of game specific wikis. But it's a format that works really well for some games (like the Souls series), and not so much for others.
I miss instruction manuals so much. There was something so satisfying about getting a new game. Taking it out of the box and then. . .reading the manual from start to finish as a precursor to the game experience.
EDIT: Played some Verdict Guilty, and this indie fighting game is a lot better than I expected. You can play as an alcoholic detective and there's a handcuff mechanic.
I miss instruction manuals so much. There was something so satisfying about getting a new game. Taking it out of the box and then. . .reading the manual from start to finish as a precursor to the game experience.
I loved some of the old Mario game manuals. I can't recall which specifically, but one of them (likely many of them) had hand drawn examples of every single possible move Mario could do, many of which I'd never have known without the manual. It was gorgeous and I miss those sort of manuals. I also miss manuals that had a lot of lore for the game.
When it was released, I bought the extra special edition of Elder Scrolls Online which came with a lore/artbook and that was right on the dot for the satisfaction I used to get from manuals, though this one was hardcover and really high quality which was all the better.
$32.99 on WinGameStore, GameStop, BundleStars, Humble Store and Steam
$30 on Amazon
$29.99 on GamesRepublic, and
$22.58 on Nuuvem (but might have been region locked)
There's a real good chance it'll be $30 or under on Steam and/or somewhere reputable within the next six weeks.
I tried to use a walkthrough guide to find all the coffee thermoses in Alan Wake and ended up missing three of them. And AW doesn't track items by chapter...
I ended up picking up the strategy guide just for the coffee and they wrote it in a way that thematically ties into the game itself. It's worth it practically for that alone.
I just could never justify the price of a guide when is only use it when I got stuck. I had a buddy who would buy games and guides and then just play though the whole game with the guide open.
Aside from the online guides mentioned, I really like UHS (universal hunt system). It is great for giving you nudges in the right direction for older adventure games.
I just could never justify the price of a guide when is only use it when I got stuck. I had a buddy who would buy games and guides and then just play though the whole game with the guide open.
Aside from the online guides mentioned, I really like UHS (universal hunt system). It is great for giving you nudges in the right direction for older adventure games.
I tend to pick up strategy guides for games with lots of collectables. GTA games, mainly. At least any games that does not have an in game map toggle to show where they are. And I never play the first time with it. I'm not going for 100% the first time.
My favourite wrong guide is for GTA San Andreas. The maps for the photos and horseshoes are wrong. More specifically, the photo map is accurate but the example screen shots are all wrong. And the horseshoe map is only accurate if you shift all the locations on centimetre to the right.
The guide maker provides a free PDF download that corrects the mistakes. But I don't own a printer and Kinkos is too expensive when I already know how to compensate.
The coolest guide I've ever used on the internet (that is still active) is an interactive map for the first Assassin's Creed. I'll post a link to it when I get home.
Woo! Thanks, for Firewatch, @Berylline
I don't know how I managed to avoid getting spoiled on the story for this long, but it's just going to make this playthrough all the sweeter
Still a thing. Bump for a new day. Awful lot of people with this wishlisted, but awfully few entries...
I've just revisited the first one (just broke into a place called the Golden Cat) and a buddy is going to let me borrow his PS4 copy when he's through with it. And that works out because I doubt my laptop could handle all the shinies.
Crypt of the Necrodancer update: i fought Final Boss 3 times so far, without success - at this point trying again becomes kinda tiresome, especially when i know that
it's not the end of the story, and there are 2 more characters to unlock
Im afraid, that erasing this title from my backlog may be troublesome...
Also, i started Incredible Adventures of Van Hellsing: Final Cut. I played very little, but i like the fact that companion of the main hero is a snarky, ghost noblewoman.
speaking of roguelikes, I have like 150 hours into dungeons of dredmor. I have never even seen dredmor. I should really just find a cheese (pun intended) guide and roll through with something super broken
speaking of roguelikes, I have like 150 hours into dungeons of dredmor. I have never even seen dredmor. I should really just find a cheese (pun intended) guide and roll through with something super broken
Ive seen Dreadmore twice I think. I used super heavy melee build and skills that let you counter attack. Two handed weapons and berserker and I cant remember what else.
Whenever I got to him though he usually just killed me with magic in a couple hits. And he has a big range so you cant really run away from him.
Edit - Swords, Duel Wielding, Berzerker Rage, Assassination, Archaeology, Big Game Hunter, And I think Perception.
I tried to use a walkthrough guide to find all the coffee thermoses in Alan Wake and ended up missing three of them. And AW doesn't track items by chapter...
I ended up picking up the strategy guide just for the coffee and they wrote it in a way that thematically ties into the game itself. It's worth it practically for that alone.
I didn't even try those. The woods are so dark and scary and they're so hard to see.
0
BeryllineOne Tiara to rule them allRegistered Userregular
I have Dishonored 2 wishlisted, but I feel like entering contests is basically the same as accepting gifts, so it's a no-go, as tempting as it is!
As for guidebooks, I pretty much never buy them, but I might have pre-ordered the upcoming Stardew Valley book. It's just so pretty (and I'm just so hopelessly hooked on that game...).
Even though it has slowed down I still find pretty much everything I need on gamefaqs.
+1
Sir CarcassI have been shown the end of my worldRound Rock, TXRegistered Userregular
It's been almost a year since my giftpile dropped (one more week to go) and I still feel weird about entering giveaways, even for games I really want, so I haven't.
Crazy that was already a year ago. Doesn't feel that long.
I love how steam sends out emails when stuff in your wishlist is out or on sale, but I really didn't need to see the header 'Tyranny is now available!' this morning.
+7
Zxerolfor the smaller pieces, my shovel wouldn't doso i took off my boot and used my shoeRegistered Userregular
Hey, look! Stardew Valley is waiting for you! Run away from your troubles and grow some kale or something. Who am I kidding? You're just going to fish for the first year and buy everything with the vast amounts of wealth you have accumulated. That's pretty fun, I get it. Maybe next time you should do a bee farm. All bees. All day. Yes, there will be a next time.
You're addicted. You don't even own the game yet and you are addicted. I'm so sorry.
Also, we can all agree that the world is shocked by Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election. It does not matter where you stand politically, his win was not expected. I don't care where you stand on all that. I don't care what country you are from. I love all of you. This give away is in spirit of how great America is and how much greater we will eventually become. I dream that someday all countries can be great. Many already are and many are not. I just want the goodness in humanity to eventually prevail over all and lead to a bright future for our species and the planet as a whole.
Posts
Totally agree with everyone. Only time video guides are useful to me are when they're very specific videos, like a video for a specific boss that shows you the different attack animations and timing (which proved very useful to me for Dark Souls I and II), or that show hidden items/areas (again, great for Souls). And then I also appreciate video guides for complex games like Paradox Grand Strategy games that go over the interface and explain game mechanics. But besides those specific cases (and most videos aren't guides, they're just recorded streams, usually first plays so you end up not learning anything) I greatly prefer text guides for when I'm stuck.
I usually download a couple TXT guides off GameFAQS to my tablet to use as reference when I'm playing a console game (usually for RPGs), and sometimes use Steam Guides using the overlay which are very hit or miss. You'd be surprised at how much love and care went into a lot of the older GameFAQS guides, there's some quality material out there, but the recent stuff hasn't been as good and the forums are as trash and troll-filled as they've always been unfortunately.
If I'm looking for general advice or opinions, especially on builds or items, I always end up checking out either reddit threads or wikis
I tend to just use Google and find out individual answers myself when I get stuck or I'm looking to get swole on a LCK and gun build in SMT 4.
Guard 1 goes on patrol, gets choked out, and dragged inside a building I had just cleared.
Guard 2 stays in place so I find another glass thing to make move to a better location, choke him out, and drag him inside to a hiding spot up a few floors.
Guard 3 enters while I'm moving guard 2, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 1 to the hiding spot.
Guard 4 enters while I'm moving guard 1, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 3 to the hiding spot.
Guard 5 enters while I'm moving guard 3, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 4 to the hiding spot.
Guard 6 enters while I'm moving guard 4, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 5 to the hiding spot.
Guard 7 enters while I'm moving guard 5, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 6 to the hiding spot.
Guard 8 enters while I'm moving guard 6, spots me, and gets Far Reach grabbed and knocked out. I finish hiding who I was moving and proceed to move guard 7 to the hiding spot.
Finally I get some peace and move guards 2 and 8 to the hiding spot.
The Far Reach upgrade that lets you grab enemies is really, really useful if you're after a low chaos score but aren't perfect at stealth.
Steam Profile
3DS: 3454-0268-5595 Battle.net: SteelAngel#1772
I usually google my problems on the steam browser, which kinda sucks btw, and yeah I do come across those damn youtube videos that just don't want to get to the point!
I prefer guides that are mostly text with screenshots, which was why I was contemplating buying those physical guides. Sometimes I'll also look at steam community guides but those are usually no help at all.
Steam / Origin & Wii U: Heatwave111 / FC: 4227-1965-3206 / Battle.net: Heatwave#11356
I just laughed out aloud. That was much needed, thank you :heartbeat:
Just brilliant and wish video game guides were still this good. Maybe they are? I haven't looked.
STEAM: Quical
Check out my youtube channel, maybe subscribe?: NerdAndOrGeek
On release 30% of it was already incorrect.
By now it's probably 95%
Yet gamespot keeps it up:
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/world-of-warcraft
I loved some of the old Mario game manuals. I can't recall which specifically, but one of them (likely many of them) had hand drawn examples of every single possible move Mario could do, many of which I'd never have known without the manual. It was gorgeous and I miss those sort of manuals. I also miss manuals that had a lot of lore for the game.
When it was released, I bought the extra special edition of Elder Scrolls Online which came with a lore/artbook and that was right on the dot for the satisfaction I used to get from manuals, though this one was hardcover and really high quality which was all the better.
$32.99 on WinGameStore, GameStop, BundleStars, Humble Store and Steam
$30 on Amazon
$29.99 on GamesRepublic, and
$22.58 on Nuuvem (but might have been region locked)
There's a real good chance it'll be $30 or under on Steam and/or somewhere reputable within the next six weeks.
Steam profile.
Getting started with BATTLETECH: Part 1 / Part 2
I ended up picking up the strategy guide just for the coffee and they wrote it in a way that thematically ties into the game itself. It's worth it practically for that alone.
Aside from the online guides mentioned, I really like UHS (universal hunt system). It is great for giving you nudges in the right direction for older adventure games.
Steam ID: Good Life
Anomaly: Warzone Earth
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Steam profile.
Getting started with BATTLETECH: Part 1 / Part 2
I tend to pick up strategy guides for games with lots of collectables. GTA games, mainly. At least any games that does not have an in game map toggle to show where they are. And I never play the first time with it. I'm not going for 100% the first time.
My favourite wrong guide is for GTA San Andreas. The maps for the photos and horseshoes are wrong. More specifically, the photo map is accurate but the example screen shots are all wrong. And the horseshoe map is only accurate if you shift all the locations on centimetre to the right.
The guide maker provides a free PDF download that corrects the mistakes. But I don't own a printer and Kinkos is too expensive when I already know how to compensate.
The coolest guide I've ever used on the internet (that is still active) is an interactive map for the first Assassin's Creed. I'll post a link to it when I get home.
I don't know how I managed to avoid getting spoiled on the story for this long, but it's just going to make this playthrough all the sweeter
Still a thing. Bump for a new day. Awful lot of people with this wishlisted, but awfully few entries...
I've just revisited the first one (just broke into a place called the Golden Cat) and a buddy is going to let me borrow his PS4 copy when he's through with it. And that works out because I doubt my laptop could handle all the shinies.
Also, i started Incredible Adventures of Van Hellsing: Final Cut. I played very little, but i like the fact that companion of the main hero is a snarky, ghost noblewoman.
Whenever I got to him though he usually just killed me with magic in a couple hits. And he has a big range so you cant really run away from him.
Edit - Swords, Duel Wielding, Berzerker Rage, Assassination, Archaeology, Big Game Hunter, And I think Perception.
I didn't even try those. The woods are so dark and scary and they're so hard to see.
As for guidebooks, I pretty much never buy them, but I might have pre-ordered the upcoming Stardew Valley book. It's just so pretty (and I'm just so hopelessly hooked on that game...).
Crazy that was already a year ago. Doesn't feel that long.
Steam Support is the worst. Seriously, the worst
Once entered, one should never pull out before it's over.
If I win, I'll just play the first one first, then the second one.
The game, that is.
I love how steam sends out emails when stuff in your wishlist is out or on sale, but I really didn't need to see the header 'Tyranny is now available!' this morning.
I really miss the :bro: reaction sometimes.
Maybe after Dishonored 2...
You're addicted. You don't even own the game yet and you are addicted. I'm so sorry.
Also, we can all agree that the world is shocked by Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election. It does not matter where you stand politically, his win was not expected. I don't care where you stand on all that. I don't care what country you are from. I love all of you. This give away is in spirit of how great America is and how much greater we will eventually become. I dream that someday all countries can be great. Many already are and many are not. I just want the goodness in humanity to eventually prevail over all and lead to a bright future for our species and the planet as a whole.