5 comments about STAR OCEAN(tm) Till the End of Time(tm) Official Strategy Guide.

1. This RPG was great fun if you enjoy picking your players and experimenting with weapons and magic. It starts in the future and travels into the past, ending back in the future. It has extra dungeons after you solve the game which really enhances play time. The only thing I didn't care for is in a battle you could only select one character at a time and the other two characters fight by computer selection which was not always a good thing. Other than that, if you love RPGs with a fun story this is a great game.



2. If you are looking for a good strategy guide for this game then this is the one for you. And when I got it it was in great condition. I suggest it to anyone who is in love with the Star Ocean series.



3. I bought this guide and was very disappointed. I normally just read user made walkthroughs but thought it would b e useful to have a book with maps. My main complaint is that the book just gives the bosses main information and not any strategies to defeating them. Save your money and don't buy this.



4. EXCELENT BOOK , very good quality paper and printing , and the guide is very clear , and handy



5. This book is a must for every person who buys this game. It helps with synthesis, creating items a lot and cut down the amount of hours it take to figure out how to product certain items and what each inventor wants. The con with this part is that it didn't clearly rate the amount of money taken to product this item as some items take a narrow range like the philosopher's stone which cost range appear uncommonly and with just one cent out of that range you get worthless products. I had to check a website review for the philosopher stone synthesis and both the book and the website were wrong! I went with Peppita, Misty Lear, and Mackwell that took the talent level to 93, much closer to 100 and got it instantly. Another negative is that it doesn't help with max out weapons, etc telling what synthesis material work the best like going with only orichalcum for Fayt's strongest sword or add certain numbers of other types like Brownie Stone or other types that work the best. The guide didn't tell where the high fol monsters to fight for the money as this game require lots of fols to do things like get inventors, buy items, create items, specify items, and synthesis. The last negative to this guide is the PA - it make it harder to read and I easily missed some - mainly long term ones as there were lots of uncertainity when playing for the first time. Otherwise this book have lots of positive results that can be easily explained by the other reviews here.

1 comments about Okami Wii Official Strategy Guide (Official Strategy Guides (Bradygames)).

1. For the Wii, BradyGAMES Okami guide is very much the same guide you got on the PS2. So if you have the Playstation 2 guide or if you come across it, you'll be fine just buying that one if you can't get the Wii version of the guide. Being that you're basically getting the same guide, I'm going to repost that review here rather than forcing readers to go to the Playstation 2 review.
   
   In this day and age, a good strategy guide is actually pretty hard to find. Luckily there are still some good ones out there, and the Okami Official Strategy Guide by Bradygames is definitely a good one. If you're stuck on Okami and really need a leg up, then this guide is your ticket to doing so.
   
   The guide begins with a prologue, that basically introduces you to the story of the game. It's about the same as the introduction to the game itself. So it's not really a spoiler. Afterwards it'll introduce you to the characters. There are several Nippon Folk throughout the game, and the guide will tell you just who you can find. With the exception of Amaterasu and Issun, there are no profiles really. Each character just has a quote below them, but you'll want to keep their face in mind for when you see them in the actual game. The guide waste no time here.
   
   Afterwards we get into our basics. The brush techniques section gives an in depth description of each brush tecnhique and tips on how to use it. It's perfect and can really help you out if you're having trouble, as it gives some nifty tips on things like how to keep a straight line. The section dedicated to helping you control Ammy is also fairly detailed. Giving you a list of all the weapons, divine attributes, a shopping list and moves. These sections are also really detailed. The guide tells you how much praise you'll need to level up your ink pots, solar energy and more. They also detail all you'll need to know about shopping and how to unlock all the moves. there's no reason not be very knowledgable on the game after reading this section. It also details on all the secrets and bonuses here, none of which spoil the enjoyment of the game. This portion just gives you a run down of completion data and rewards for doing so as well as Issun's presents. Nothing spoiled here.
   
   Now for the most important part of any strategy guide: The walkthrough. It's really detailed, for the most part. The sections are divided into Acts. Each Act begins with an introduction on what you need to do, and then goes on to explain the different locations. Each area begins with a list of objectives you need to complete. If you don't understand any of them, they're expertly written in the text of the walkthrough. The guide as a whole is very detailed, clear and concise. The screenshots are crystal clear as well.
   
   The walkthrough also talks about each and every side quest you can do throughout the game. Whether it be digging up turnips before some crazy lady socks you, or simply feeding animals, the guide has it covered and it's very in depth.
   
   Each area is also presented with maps. These maps are almost lifted directly from the game. They're easy to navigate, although I can't say they're extremely detailed. They point out treasure chests, but they don't tell you what's in them in an items list or anything. You'll be able to read about in the main text of the walkthrough, but it really would've helped if they'd simply given me an items list at the beginning of each section to go off of. They also neglect to point out pots and food and they don't always mention it in the main text itself. The good news is that the game itself is easy to navigate as it is, so the guide doesn't suffer too terribly there.
   
   Another bad thing about the walkthrough is not always to the point. It often explains why you must do objectives, and sometimes these explanations contain spoilers. There are no major spoilers in the walkthrough, only minor ones. Still, it's rather annoying when the walkthrough won't get to the point, and it spends too much time explaining why you must do something when it could be telling me how to do it.
   
   For the most part, however, the boss strategies are really good. You'll find that most bosses fall easily to these strategies, although it may be better to use your own at some parts. For the most part, however, the boss strategies serve their purpose.
   
   After the walkthrough you'll find the section called the "Lupine Logbook" which details almost everything unrelated to the story. The wanted lists like Mika's monster notebook and such. It'll tell you the enemies you need to find and just where to find them. Here you'll also find a complete list of animals you can feed (along with their location) as well as a list of treasures you can sell. There's also a complete listing of stray beads. The stray bead portion of this section is divided by location rather than just a list. This makes this portion of the guide very easy to use.
   
   Finally there's a bestiary for you to use when it comes to the various enemies throughout the land. It's not a terribly detailed bestiary but has some fairly good tips on how to down your enemies, so it's still pretty good on the whole. These battle tips can be used to defeat most of your enemies with ease.
   
   Something about the guide as a whole however is that it clearly illustrates the game itself. In other words the guide actually has a very similar look and feel to the game itself, which can always help. It's very decorative, especially the artowrk. This makes the guide much more than just a guide, but also a collector's item for Okami fans.
   
   Okami is an expansive game, no doubt. The only way you're going to be able to conquer everything is to invest in this guide. The walkthrough is solid, and the misc. features are also essential. If you're stuck on Okami, this is where you go for help.

5 comments about Metroid Prime 3: Corruption: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. I have all the Metroid Prime games.They get better with each new game. But they are hard for me, I'm 74 and compete with my grandsons. Wayne



2. All the Metroid games are great and this is the best out of all of them.
   I have really enjoyed it. The control with the Wii controllers makes it even better.



3. I haven't got in the need to use this guide as much as I thought, which is good, but in some parts of the game it was really useful. The presentation is amazing and the art in it is worth the price of the guide.



4. Its a really complete step by step guide including ALL screens of the full path to get this game finished with all possible credits. It's AMAZING. No way to get lost in this game using this book. It's like a person who has already finished that game showing you all the solutions for this puzzle.



5. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was a fantastic Wii title. It contained a wonderful universe to explore and an innovative control scheme that feels comfortable. The bar was raised a little higher for the author of the strategy game. I'm pleased to see that David Knight met the bar, and exceeded.
   
   PROS
   
   + It has an outstanding overall appearance and design.
   + It is thorough and presents an easy strategy to collect 100% on.
   + The boss strategies are thorough.
   + It contains all item locations
   + The maps are beautiful, have great keys and are easy to follow.
   
   CONS
   
   - The appendices don't contain enough information, and are tad bit confusing.
   - The scan appendix has the scans in order of appearance, but not in the same order the game has them in (alphabetical) making you do a bit more searching.
   - Not enough little tricks and tips, and no Hyper difficulty tips.
   
   APPEARANCE - A
   
   The guide itself looks fantastic. The cover has a wonderful shine and texture. The overall design of the guide is beautiful, and matches the game very well. The maps also look wonderful.
   
   STRATEGY - A-
   
   The strategy is wonderful and actually tells you how to obtain 100% through the game. The Notes and Item boxes are great, and it divides each section for you to follow easily. The boss strategies are great, but they don't really have the small tricks and tips that make them so much easier. There aren't any tips for Hyper difficulty.
   
   APPENDICES, CONTROLS AND CONTENTS - B
   
   The table of contents are clear and well divided. The controls are thorough and teach well. The real problem lies in the Appendix section. It is a good appendix, but it's also confusing. The order of the scans are out of order from the in-game's list of scans. If you are missing scans in the game, you have to actually read through your scans and find the one you are missing. The Pickups section also has all of the different pickup types compiled together. It would be nicer if the Energy Tanks, Missile Expansions and Energy Cells were in separate lists. It is still a nice deep appendix through.
   
   OVERALL - A-
   
   This is one of the best game guides I own. I'm a bit harsh sometimes when it comes to reviews, so an A- is a great rating. It is highly recommended that you get this guide if you own the game. Even if you've beaten the game, and know it inside and out, the guide is still a blast to look through.

5 comments about The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Prima's Official Strategy Guide).

1. I just got Zelda-the Wind Waker for Christmas and it's a great game! Though this isn't the game, I'd think the book would be good too. You start out as Link to run to your grandma's house. You get dressed in the green uniform and you save a girl from a bird. The bird kidnapps your sister and then your story begins.I'll try to find the game to tell more about it.....



2. what can I say, it has everything I need to know and more. Its Good.



3. First, let me state that this review should be considered only by those who play games for FUN.. This means, NOT those who play first person shooters online for 16 hours at a time, but those who play video games as a hobby, not a lifestyle; i.e. a few hours a week. Second, don't even consider this book if you're looking for help on the Ocarina of Time, because it won't help. Someone stated previously that it looks like a review out of a video game magazine, and their absolutely right. I've used an Ocarina book I got right here from Amazon for that game, and it was perfect..
   
   On to the review: The game is GREAT, and the book certainly compliments that. I know the first thing potential buyers are looking for is PROBLEMS, so instead of pretending there aren't any, I'll hit those first.
   
   The main problem here (as previously mentioned) is the organization of the book, and it all comes down to your playing style.. If you want to play the game yourself and only have the book as a reference for when you get stuck or for finding little extras, than it's perfect. However, if you want to have everything spelled out for you and not play the game at all without first consulting the book, than this probably isn't the right one for you.. It walks you through the quests for the first 3/4 of the book, and has little footnotes at the bottom of each page, referring you to the side-quests which are detailed towards the end of the book..
   
   If you've played the game, then you know that it's a HUGE ocean, broken up into 49 different squares, with 49 different islands, and once you've passed a few preliminary tasks, the entire world is open to you to explore on your own.. In my experience with the game, this book worked PERFECTLY, because the best part was sailing around the map and stumbling upon new islands and landmarks on your own, without someone or something telling you where to go.. The book complimented this, because it has an entire section showing what you can do on each island, and how far into the game you need to be in order to accomplish each task. This is separate from the walkthrough, which details the actual quests, and not the hidden items and extra goodies available on each island. Again, the organization of the book may be a problem for some, but it will be perfect for others..
   
   Otherwise, the problems are VERY minimal.. There are a few instances where the book will tell you something is worth 100 rupees (dollars) when in fact it's worth 200, or vice versa, but these are few and far between.. I'm 4/5 of the way through the game and I could count those mistakes on less than one hand..
   
   The pictures are clear and crisp, and plenty large enough to see if you have the ability of sight, and the walkthrough itself is well written, inclusive, and comprehensive. It's gotten me through all of those spots where your just scratching your head wondering what to do next, but at the same time the game is simple enough that you should be able to get through the majority of it without help.. Besides, exploring the vast world they created is the best part of the game!



4. The best ever,Prima's done it again...
   Prima made winners of all us gamers with this guide.



5. This guide was great it was helpfull in all the dungeaons and MOST of the ftriforce(More on this later). It helped me from Dragon roost to all the mini games. The one thing i found to my displeasure was that they messed up on the triforce pieces. When it shows you were to find them, it is messed up and i had to work for like a half an hour to match them. Also it is missing one ALL together. Again this one the best strategy guide i have used but I would not be so quick to buy it if you are nt great with the maps.

5 comments about The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Official Game Guide).

1. This is an excellent full featured very thorough and useful game guide.
   
   Highly recommended!!
   
   I originally bought it as a means to keep track of all the locations for the 1000's of things in the game - "where was that cave?" "I know I saw that ingredient somewhere..." "I spoke to this NPC before but where were they??"
   This book has been invaluable for this alone and ended frustrating hours spent trying to re-locate something I'd already found but forgot to write down or remembered as being in a different place.
   
   But the books usefulness doesn't end there. There are many many quests in the game I simply wouldn't have discovered on my own. Some amusing and some adding yet more depth and background to the world and some that I could NOT figure out on my own :P
   
   And more.. alchemy combinations, story lines not so obvious, enchantment combo's, and so much more that added value and enjoyment to an already excellent game.



2. I'm not happy that Amazon recommended this edition to me without a mention that there is a newer, more complete version available... and Amazon offers the newer one at a lower price than this one, too! Sadly, this is a feature of Amazon's inadequate recommendation engine: they recommend inferior versions of the same product instead of later ones... it's really not very smart.
   
   It also seems odd to me that this book was published in March 2006, but the "revised and expanded" version is published November 2006. Surely at the time this version was published, they were aware that they would be making it obsolete a few months later with a more complete version. Perhaps they should have subtitled this book "Incomplete & Unfinished in time for deadline version".



3. This guide has everything you need for ever quest in the game, and is one of the most complete strategy guides ive seen.
   
   Has a nice section about creating a character and character development, side quests, skills, and maps of the areas.
   
   If you want to get the most out of the game I would get this guide.



4. Oblivion wouldn't be as interesting without this book telling you of the special areas, secrets, and back story. Necessary to purchase with the game.



5. A nice Help Guide, A good Walkthru Manual.
   Lots of maps, photos, and advice..

5 comments about Dungeon Master's Guide: Special Edition (Dungeon & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying).

1. From WotC's description, the Special Editions are "premium black bonded leather". "Bonded leather" is a manmade compound; it is essentially leather fibers plus latex. This is far from the quality of a true leather-bound book (which would use real leather). As one bookbinder puts it: "recommended for use only if the book will be used infrequently."



2. loved the book. the leather binding gives it a beautiful touch on one of the Dungeons and dragon most bought book i loved it.



3. Very handy when playing. hes some extra things that is why it is version 3.5. the cover is very good and is why it is the special edition.



4. Having been a gamer all my life (since 1980) and have coddled and loved and invented different covers for many of my DnD books, this Special Edition just spoke to me. After receiving it as a gift and going through it, it is now my favorite gaming book. Satisfyingly reminds me of all the things I imagine in my game worlds, books of spells, lore and adventure.



5. I can't believe I bought this thing for $8.00 (After shipping)!
   Still in the plastic wrap, not a single mark, blemish, or scratch.

5 comments about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas(tm) Official Strategy Guide (Signature).

1. Strategy guide is a good starting point to help play the game, some of the tags aren't 100% accurate.



2. It was okay, I guess. It wasn't nearly as helpful as I thought it wounld be, but helpful nonetheless. It didnt provide the best pictures and information.



3. This is a review of this product: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Official Strategy Guide for PlayStation 2. Amazon may display this review on the page of another version of this product, for which this review may not apply. After reading this review, please click on the link so that you can be assured that the product this review applies to is the same one you thought it was for.
   --------------------------------------------------
   
   As everyone already knows from reading the other reviews here, this guide contains a vast amount of errors in regards to the Photo Ops and Horseshoes. I don't think that BradyGames has published a corrected version, which they could offer in exchange for the flawed version. However, they have released corrected information on their website:
   
   San Fierro Photo Op Updates
   
   The Photo Op location lists have been updated. This is available for your viewing and downloading pleasure. Use these lists, descriptions, and shots to cross reference the maps on pages 84 and 127. Enjoy your sightseeing and remember it's best to seek these shots at night.
   
   [in the addresses below replace -DOT- with . and remove the dashes inbetween p-d-f]
   
   Page 85 - Photo Ops Descriptions (136 KB)
   bradygames-DOT-com/content/images/0744004292/updates/page85.p-d-f
   
   Pages 128 - Photo Ops Shots and Descriptions (13.2 MB)
   bradygames-DOT-com/content/images/0744004292/updates/page128.p-d-f
   
   Page 131-133 - Horseshoe Map, Shots and Descriptions (5 MB)
   bradygames-DOT-com/content/images/0744004292/updates/page131.p-d-f
   
   Las Venturas Horseshoe Updates
   
   Horseshoe 25: The northeast corner of Las Venturas Airport, near the runway.
   [see image uploaded to Product Images section on this item's page on Amazon]
   
   Horseshoe 28: Just west of the north end of the Las Venturas Airport's main runway.
   [see image uploaded to Product Images section on this item's page on Amazon]
   
   Horseshoe 43: Here is an updated image.
   [see image uploaded to Product Images section on this item's page on Amazon]
   
   Info from: bradygames-DOT-com/bookstore/product.asp?isbn=0744004292
   (click on "Updates & Corrections" in the grey "More Information" box)



4. I agree with all the negative reviews on this page. The rest of the guide is awesome, but the locations of the Horseshoes, and Oysters are off, sometimes way off. I finally had to write down the places where they were so I would not forget. not much thanks to editors, but on the other hand, they made a great guide, sans the location maps.



5. in my opinion brady games strategy guides are far better than prima game guides, brady games covers all of the game not just parts of the game, i will not buy any prima guide anymore, it just doesent cover what im looking for in a gmae guide, this guide HAS everything you need to know about the game, EVERYTHING, thank you brady games

5 comments about DIRGE of CERBERUS(tm) -FINAL FANTASY(r) VII- Signature Series Guide (Bradygames Signature Series Guide) (Bradygames Signature Series Guide).

1. This strategy guide provides a very in depth analysis of every single situation, item, side mission, and extra in the game. The only thing it was missing was an analysis of the game for the 'Extra Hard' Difficulty, since there is a great difference in the game in this mode.
   
   If you've got Dirge of Cereberus, you might as well get this at the same time in the two-at-once-for-slightly-cheaper deal offered on this page.



2. I thought that this game was great. I was at first a little worried that I would not be able to get the controls figured out, but I did and that was not hard at all. I just love the game cause it had a great story line and sometimes I just need to remove stress and so it is fun just to shoot around.



3. A great guide from Brady Games as usual... helps find those nice unlockables that aren't listed in the manual...



4. It's great game, the CG cut scenes and the music during the entire game is pretty good, some of it has an almost Matrix feel to it.
   If your a collector of the series check out the collectors edition of the game. Jody Bissoon



5. Always pleased with Bradygames strategy guides, and this is no exception. Very helpful, step by step, color photos, just great all around

5 comments about Second Life: The Official Guide.

1. Book was what it was advertised to be. Full of easy to understand instructions. Excellent buy.



2. Sure, sure, second life - what is that? Well, take it from someone older than 21 by many years, this is the best game around! Thanks to my daughter and son-in-law, I can shop, dance, party, meet new friends, and never leave my home! Check out this great addition to the Second Life Scene.



3. Very good starter book for the absolute newbie. Really helps to get on and start having fun.



4. I face this book (and the many others like it) from a different point of view... if you need a book first to find your way around in SL, you better should not be there at all. Every user with a little but of mind will not need it. On this specific title it also annoyed me to see, that knowing second life, I partially see this as a clique of SL veterans celebrating themself... always the same names.
   Just go there instead. look around, use your eyes and mind. Look at the menues. Save the money for the book amd use it to settle in SL instead...



5. I think this book is great for learning the basics, for understanding how Second Life works, and for gaining a flavour of what awaits you.
   
   But, as is often pointed out, such guides are very quickly out of date. And what it doesn't give you, is a real insight into what really goes on every day in-world.
   
   For this, you need to check out the free guide to Second Life, The AvaStar (www.the-avastar.com). It's an online newspaper covering the news, business, fashion, travel, entertainment and events of the virtual world, and every week publishes a 'Guide to...' feature, focusing on the best places to go in-world.
   
   If you read through the paper once, you'll immediately gain an excellent understanding as to what is going on in the world. (All the back issues are available to download for free at the website).
   
   Good luck and have fun!

5 comments about Sims 2 Box Set: Prima Official Game Guide.

1. I was actually going to rate this 4 stars, but decided that the item description didn't lead me to expect quite what I got.
   The content is good, I've learned new stuff and I've been playing Sims 2 for several years. However, the quality of the books themselves aren't good. The type is sooo tiny it is hard to read and I find it difficult to read for a very long period of time. It would be okay, but they used super cheap paper as well, so the paper has a grayish tinge, which makes it even harder on the eyes.
   I had anticipated the full-size color guides (maybe I just wasn't paying close enough attention), whereas these are normal "novel size" books and no color. Mostly for me that is okay as they are actually easier to store and I'm familiar enough with the Sims 2 that I don't need the pictures to know what they are talking about. Nevertheless, it would have been nice to realize this before I received them.
   So, all in all, if you are gettig these to use for the occasional reference on something, they're just right for that. But if you actually want something you can read through or that looks nice, find the larger color guides and get them. It'd be worth the extra expense in my opinion.



2. This cheap reproduction on newsprint in microscopic fonts was a very big disappointment. The guides for some games recently have an occasional section or two printed on the cheap (The FF XII guide by Brady Games comes to mind), resulting in poor readability for that section, but this takes the cake.
   
   An entire set of guides reproduced so cheaply that legibility is poor at best, and unintelligible at worst.
   
   Standard text within the guides is readable with a magnifying glass with good lighting. Text that appeared in the original publication within a shaded box for emphasis is less legible. Text that was itself a lighter shade appears to be nothing more than a pixelated mess since this black and white reproduction is of a low quality resolution.
   
   Think very poor quality grainy newspaper print. With a tiny font. If you didn't need reading glasses before you tried to view these, you will afterwards.
   
   Pictures that were originally in full color reproduced by this method are useless for their intended purpose. Some points in the guides are explained ONLY in pictures, which are now little better than gray misty blobs.
   
   They could have used a better quality paper, or a better resolution, or color, or made the font larger/books thicker, or made the font slightly larger/books slightly larger. Actually, they could have tried any ONE of these, and made a more legible product, but they were horrifically cheap about it.
   
   You'd think that someone in quality control, or management saw this thing before it went to market, and had the guts to say it was bad, pull it from production, but I guess not.
   
   I wouldn't even get it for the occasional reference. If that's all you need out of a guide rather than cover-to-cover reading, I suggest searching the internet. It will be both cheaper and infinitely more legible. These books were a waste.



3. Theese are a must have for the serious to normal gamer. Full of helpful tips and information to get your Sims to show their full potential.



4. I thought I was getting full-size color Prima Guides, instead these are black, white and gray Pocketbooks that are so small I have to read them in very good light during the day and even then it's kind of hard. The illustrations are crappy not only because of the lack of color, but the material of the pages reminds me of newspaper rather than what I'm usually used to from a Prima Guide. I was very disappointed when I received the package, to say the least.



5. The content of the books is excellent - that is, if you can actually read the print. I refer to the guides quite often but only in short doses because it usually gives me a headache. Also, the pictures are pretty useless.
   
   I would recommend getting the individual books, though most of them are out of print. I think you can get the individual book for Freetime since it was just released. Also, I think you can purchase digital versions of the books at Prima's website. I have bought other digital Prima Guides and they were much more readable than these were. The only problem is you either have to print them out if you want to refer to them while you are playing the game. (Or switch back and forth from the game to the guide, which is a pain.)