As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve used strategy guides for many years, but I’ve never used them as much as I do now, when I decided to start reviewing them. I have one by my side and open whenever one of my consoles is one, and before I attempt any level or scene, I read through it first to see what it suggests, attempt the play, read it again if I happen to get stuck, take notes on its advice, and repeat.
As a result, I’m not sure I could play a game normally at all anymore. Well that’s a little dramatic. With time, I could surely get over the twitching and learn how to play without guidance again, but the thought that it would take some time is mind boggling to me. I’d have to figure things out by myself? Like where to go, what to do, or what to look for? Madness! It also makes me feel like I’m not a “real gamer” anymore, as ludicrous as that sounds.
But thanks to how poorly the guide to Assassin’s Creed 2 is, I’ve been able to alleviate this addiction a little bit. As the guide is for the most part not helpful, it often remains closed until I really get lost or don’t have the patience for a Glyph puzzle (I really hate the circular picture puzzles).
However, I know it will take just one well-written guide to get me back on the books. While I think it makes me a better guide reviewer, at the same time, I do miss a little the ability to and the teensy thrill of figuring things out myself. But I shouldn’t complain too much, as I love to review these babies.
yes yes yes