Walkthroughs: Yes or No?

[flojocabron]

The debate continues?

[MaxTorch]

I'm the type of person that when i get stuck on a game that's it i'm done. So in the last couple years i've been using guides more and more when playing rpg's. I use them just to know where to go next and for hidden or special items. No shame.

[GrouchoGlasses]

My biggest weakness with consulting a walkthrough is that of a gateway drug! I'm working my way through Zelda ALttP right now, and found myself needing help finding my way through a few caves' secret entrances.

Every time, the solution seemed so simple that I would have been able to figure out the answer if I had just tried to look for 5 more minutes. I'm trying not to touch any guides for the rest of the game. Using them lessens my patience. I spent the money on the official console and cartridge to create the best experience. I can't do anything to ruin that!

[Luke]

No no no no no.

[Homerzilla2k]

I use them, mostly because I don't want to miss anything. Some walkthroughs have a list of items for each dungeon, so I'll check those before moving on. There have been too many times where I miss "awesome item number 1" or "thing you need to get character A out alive."

I also like knowing how game mechanics work, so depending on the game, I'll look to see how certain stats affect certain things. Like in the SNES version of FFVI where the evade stat did nothing, or in FF Tactics with the brave/faith, Zodiac compatibility, and magic attack for Samurai skills.

[eskil]

It depends on the game, and my mood.
In general, I prefer to make my way through a game by myself, because a lot of games make it appealing and rewarding to explore the world they're set in, but then others really don't. And when it comes to games, I will happily admit I'm not a very patient person. So while I might not use them a lot, I don't think there is any shame in using walkthroughs at all.

[Goregasm]

I watched ALOT of youtube videos and consulted the souls wiki when playing demon's and dark souls. I feel like I wouldn't have even got close to finishing those games blind. So my opinion is, if it means the difference between finishing and enjoying a game compared to giving up/not having fun, by all means use a guide

[disorderlyvision]

I don't use them every time, but sometimes I will play through a section of the game and afterwards look at a walkthrough to make sure I didn't miss anything major. A lot of the best armor, weapons, optional bosses, side-quests etc can be missed fairly easily, and I don't want to play through a 40+ hour game only to realize I missed a bunch of stuff because I have a lot of other games I want to play and don't particularly want to sink another 40+ into a game I just beat. So I figure that if I do miss something it is more economical with my time to restart from the last save point and get/do whatever I missed.

Also, this:

So my opinion is, if it means the difference between finishing and enjoying a game compared to giving up/not having fun, by all means use a guide

[J T]

As a general rule of thumb, I view walkthroughs as a fun killer. However, if I get stuck on something to the point that my persistence just seems foolish, then I give in and check a walkthrough.

I also find them somewhat useful for RPGs that have been unfinished on the shelf for a long time and I need to refresh my memory about what happened, so I'll read up to the point where I last saved rather than start a new game.

[Nemoide]

Like others, it really depends on the game and my mood. But honestly, I probably use one more often than not.
Playing 8-bit games can be maddening without a walkthrough. With newer, more straightforward games, I'm likely to look up information about the system (eg job systems, crafting recipes, unlocking bonus dungeons) rather than just following it step by step.