5 comments about Fable (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. I got the guide because it was 50% off with the game purchase, and the mean chick behind the counter used scare tatics, threatening "hard to find hidden items". I finished the game without using the guide and then replayed it using the guide. There was very little I missed as the game itself is short if you're just playing straight through without collecting the extra items and quests. Therefore, I gave it the 2 star rating. It's a decent guide, but in all honesty, very unnecessary.



2. Fable is a sprawling and beautiful game with many layers, many puzzles, and many many little details that a player might want to keep better track of. The dual nature of the game allows one to follow paths of either good or evil to the story's end - or a meandering walkway somewhere in between - allows just enough room to complete the game without ever exploring vast portions of the world provided.
   
   These strategy guides do make a good quick-reference manual to flip through as you play should you not wish to get up and run to your computer every time you have a specific question you need answered. So if a player lacks internet access and feels lost, or would like a exhaustingly complete manual at hand to decide whether you really want to use the obsidian longsword or the steel katana - or you just want to make sure you've seen everything and haven't missed anything on your grand tour of Peter Molyneux's vision... then I still really recommend consulting the internet.
   
   While these paper guides do have very high production values, with great art direction and some well-rendered stills or original concept art supplied directly by the game's producer - and they might hold some sentimental value as a collector's item to the ultimate fan, they are worthless as an informational source in an age of internet. There are plenty of fan sites offering detailed lists of equipment and monsters (what they do, and where to find them), and walkthroughs for every quest in the entire game - and they will cost you nothing.



3. Fable is such an awesome game. You get to choose your path for the most part. This guide is quite helpful if you are the type who wants to make sure you uncover ever last secret and corner that you may have missed, but I find the game is much more enjoyable if you play it on your own with no help from the guide. Using the guide takes away from the gameplay in my opinion. But it is a very good guide.



4. I found this guide very helpful in playing FABLE. Using it I was able to find all the silver keys, open all the demon doors, and find just the right tatoo to give my character. I did find one major flaw with the book, however. Even though it explains where each of the Treasure Clues are, it doesn't actually tell you the exact place where the buried lost treasure is. But, other than that, it's a very useful guide.



5. I really enjoyed this game, it is the type of game where you become how you act. If you decide to make decisions for your character that are dark in nature, then you become an evil character, and visa versa for being a good character. The game guide give you plenty of information about all the things you can do, it is a great Game Guide. It is not only very informative and true to the game, but it is also beautifully done (for all you art buffs out there who collect the guides). I think it really added to the game playing experience, especially if you are the type of gamer who likes to leave no stone unturned.

3 comments about SOULCALIBUR IV Signature Series Fighter's Guide (Bradygames Signature) (Bradygames Signature).

1. It may seem strange to expect any value from these strategy guides, as a rule I usually avoid game guides like the plague, knowing that I can usually find information that is both free and better online. However, through circumstance I don't recall (it may have been included as a promotion) I ended up the guide for Soul Calibur 2 (which if memory serves was also from Brady), which was surprisingly insightful. It had a good overview of how to play each character and their strengths and weaknesses.
   
   I saw this new guide in stores and noticed that it was around twice as thick as the one for 2. I took this as a good sign and purchased it. Unfortunately, the extra thickness comes from a combination of the larger character roster, reprinting redundant information (like movelists for multiple characters who have the exact or mostly the same move list), and pages of character back stories and art.
   
   Don't get me wrong, this book is attractive to look at, and contains information like movelists and the requirements for the tower treasures in a much more storeable and readable manner then say, a print out from gamefaqs would. There are also still small sections about specific strategies for playing each character and a general beginner guide for the mechanics, however there is far too little space spent on actual strategy, which I perhaps naively expected more of.



2. Lately most games have horrible manuals that come with the game that do not provide any answers to any questions. I was hesistant at first, but no info is given with the game. The guide is great and covers everything the game has to offer. Everything from combo links to special moves and everything inbetween is discussed in great detail. this game is for fighting game fans who are willing to put in the time and effort for soul calibur 4. It is a tad pricey but for me it was worth it. If youre serious about really getting good at soul calibur 4 i certainly reccomend it.



3. ...but then, so does the game. You can just pause the game to see what each fighter's moves are. So, this has them laid out for you, which is superior for remembering them, I think.
   However, I mostly got this guide to show me how the Custom Character items are unlocked, and it barely touches on that aspect of the game.
   It's still a decent guide, but it's too bad that it isn't more extensive.

3 comments about Battlefield: Bad Company: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. After purchasing and loving the Shadowrun Prima guide, I was expecting the same great guide for Battlefield: Bad Company. However, I was very disappointed.
   
   The pages are not nice and glossy paperstock. They are thinner and feel more like a newspaper feels.
   
   There is way too much focus on single player. Over 100 pages are dedicated to the single player campaign. Only 10 pages about Multiplayer. There are top-down diagrams for single player maps, but none for multiplayer maps.
   
   After the in-depth treatment Prima gave to Shadowrun, I thought they would do the same for BF:BC. They did not.



2. 
   I agree with other review. Feels really cheap and quickly put together. The pictures are really small and the paper is cheap. I wanted to pick this up to get a good review of the multiplayer maps but there aren't any layouts like in the RB6 or the COD4 guide. They actually covered each map on just one page. They give you 1 by 1 inch pictures of a house or base and what can you do with it. There is not a reference point to match it to on a map. For two of the maps they had so little to say they fit both on one page.
   
   I looked at this in the store and decided to skip it.



3. This book was a disappointment and is very incomplete.
   
   Multiplayer problems:
   As stated earlier, no top views of the maps and a very limited look into the multiplayer area. Most of the info is from the videos included in the "Gold Edition" of the game.
   
   Stats:
   The weapon descriptions are the general rant with little info in how they perform in the game. The numbers do not include the handling stats and they do not have a table for easy comparison to help you choose what weapon is best. The specialist weapons have little info on how to use them correctly, especially the Snipers goggles witch I am still having problems with.
   
   Single player:
   The majority of this book is centered on the single player campaign. This is set up with short paragraphs scattered on a page to follow along the way the writers played the game. This largest disappointment with this is if you try to read and go you will miss some vital info. One example is I started a tough battle and then read I should have picked up the mortar designator two objectives previously which was not mentioned in the explanation that was two pages previously.
   
   This guide is similar to the layout of the Kameo guide. Which also blew? The problem with Prima guides is it seems to be a crap shoot. Half of the time the guides are well laid out and helpful. The other times they aren't. This is the only guide out there and it does have some info to help complete the game and find the collectables and such in the single player. It also included the point values for actions in the multiplayer.

5 comments about KINGDOM HEARTS Chain of Memories Official Strategy Guide (Signature Series).

1. this book helped a lot I like both the kingdom hearts games and this made it easier to see if i missed anything :-)



2. when i bought the item i opened the box and the book included everything it said. Also it was in perfect condition-no dented corners or riped pages-. when i used the book it it included all the secret items in the game. if you are a kingdom hearts fan i suggest this book to you. perfect product



3. It helped dramatically and I found it to be really well done and very helpful in explaining the different cards and what they truly did....... Also its a good thing to have when deciding on going through the game and what world cards to use....although I was already half way through with the game when I had it.....It was still nice and helped me with my other half decisions....



4. I really do like this guide book the maps are really helpful. As well as the instructions for the boss fights. You will really find this book useful.



5. My cousin received this as a gift, and she says it is very helpful, and she loves it.

5 comments about i am 8-bit: Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the '80s.

1. First and foremost, this book makes a wonderful inexpensive gift for anyone who grew up in the '80s playing the 'ole 8-bit video systems and still has a bit of nostalgia for those simpler times. It's also pretty neat as a bound exhibit of how pop culture can be transformed into art that's actually quite captivating. About 70 artists contributed works, and the medium of choice is definitely oil and acrylic paint, with a fair number of mixed media pieces thrown in. The styles vary wildly, with influences ranging from surrealism to manga to skateboard art to graffiti to crafting to abstract to pixelation and on and on. It's actually a pretty decent overview of modern pop art sensibilities.
   
   In terms of subject matter, far and away the most prevalent "inspirations" are from the Donkey Kong/Mario Bros. franchise, with Pac Man coming in next, and Frogger, Zelda, and Dig Dug also getting much play. However, some of the best pieces are from less popular games, like Tim Tomkinson's "Duck Hunter S. Thompson" mashup of a portrait of the gonzo journalist with the Sega "Duck Hunter" graphics, Jim Rugg's faux poster for a pro wrestling event featuring characters from the Nintendo wrestling game, or Jason Sho Green's pen and ink "Tantric Tetris". On the whole it's a very fun, well-designed book, nicely produced, and sure to bring a smile to many 30somethings. It's worth noting that I like Chuck Klosterman too, but his foreword is pretty slim, maybe 500 words, so don't buy it for that!



2. this book is a great collection of established and up and coming artists interpreting classic video games. what more could you want?



3. "I AM 8-BIT" is a must have for those old school fanatics who long for another golden era... one of the best books ever made. Buy it now!!!



4. Coffee table or bookcase, this book is for the most artistic of videogame fans, as well as those that appreciate mixed media with their pop culture. Joust, Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, Pac Man, Q-Bert and more are all displayed like you've never seen them by talented artists. The nostalgia is thick and sweet smelling; a feeling that few will appreciate to it's fullest. Highly recommended for artists and nerds alike. Also check out Arcade Fever and Supercade for the history behind our favorite up up down down history.



5. This is for fans of old school games from the NES and old atari games. really cool art. takes me back 10 to 20 years.

5 comments about The Art of Halo: Creating A Virtual World.

1. I was expecting this book to primarily be for displaying conceptual drawings and paintings created during the designing process of the games. There is some of that, but the book is mostly filled with images of the 'in game' 3d models used for the characters and still shots of the 3d environments. The actual conceptual drawings take a back seat. The paintings that are there are great, but why aren't there more?! Overall, I think a 3d modeler would enjoy this book more than a 2d artist.



2. This book clearly shows just how much time, energy, passion & love went into creating the entire world of Halo. The creation of the art work is simply stunning, if you enjoy glorious colour & unbelievable creative spirits, you owe it to yourself to get a copy of this book. Then as a added treat, check out on-line some of the HD trailers which are available, if your able, try to get copies on DVD & watch them on a large screen TV in full HD mode ... check your heart rate before & after ... if you don't have goose bumps & want to run out & buy a Xbox 360 & Halo 2 or 3 ... you may want to check your pulse. 5 stars out of 5 stars ... easy.



3. My son wanted this book for a long time and loves to study the artwork. I like that it stimulates an interest in art. It shows kids theres more to the games than just the "play" factor.



4. I bought this book so that I could see the process that the concept artists went through to come to their final designs, and while there are some nice examples there are a lot of in game renders that I wish were not present. I already have played the game Bungie, I don't need to be reminded of what it looks like!



5. I recently bought Halo for pc, and I picked up this book along with it. It's filled with weapon designs, enemies, and vehicles. Plus there's a section where it talks about how bungie was developing the idea for the game. If you are fan of Halo, then you would probably like this.

2 comments about Gamer Theory.

1. It was very good book that kept me reading through every chapter with every intent being to finish it. It's a quick read and I loved not only it's game references but also the other pop culture references that it brings up with simplicity. It had simplicity in it's complexity. The only bad thing I can think of is that it's hard to truly understand unless if you have read it at least twice.



2. I am working on a gamer theory class at the university i work for and this book is simple awesome, funny, insightful and very educative. I think this book is one of the most imppresive philosphical analysis of games. I luv it!

5 comments about Heavenly Sword: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. This book is a nice visual companion to the Playstation 3 game, Heavenly Sword. In fact, being an artist myself, I enjoyed the book mostly for its spectacular concept art, character design (Kai! Kai! Kai!) and paintings. Very nice indeed. As far as a strategy guide goes...it's pretty poor. It actually gets some things just plain wrong (YIKES!). But as a quick fingertip reference guide, it is still satisfactory. If you want a detailed "how-to", then the internet is a much better source. In fact, if you're really stuck, just go to Google or Yahoo and type exactly what you want to know and you'll proablly find it. Example, I had the hardest time in the boss battle vs. Flying Fox, so I just Googled, "heavenly sword+flying fox boss battle" and found three great walkthroughs which helped me defeat him (some even with videos showing exactly what to do).
   
   In comparison, this strategy guide offers only the bare minimum, and worst of all - omits ACTUAL STRATEGY! To me the book seems little more than an outline or overview of the game, rather than a complete walkthrough, which is what I wanted for my $16.49. The online guides offer more first hand experience from gamers and a variety of different techniques to try out according to your style of play. In fact, this book tells you things about the game that simply are not true and has almost zero insight. But amazingly enough, if you're a fan of the game like me, the book is totally worth it for the artwork alone and as a general keepsake for what is one of the best games currently available for the PS3. So in closing, if you're a student of character design and concept art, get this guide because it has really great artwork. If you just want the no-nonsense tips and tricks, save your money and download one of the various walkthroughs from the internet.



2. Adds some spice to the other species, fun and easy to read book! Real helper!



3. Heavenly Sword is definately on my top-five video games right now. This game has more combos and moves than any other out there. I thought there was alot in "God of War"...Hah! I've been playing Heavenly Sword for over a month now, and I think I still don't know all of the combos. The graphics are top-notch, it's got a decent story, AND...a beautiful hero!



4. Thanks. It has helped me be better at the game. It arrived in excellent condition and in a timely manner.



5. Heavenly Sword is not really a game where you need a guide. The book doesn't really offer anything helpfuly, other than a list of all combos possible.
   
   But I'd only recommend this if you enjoy looking at the artwork. I sometimes purchase "manuals" just for the game art (eg assassin's creed, mass effect, etc).
   
   This guide has a nice art section in the back 10 pages or so.

5 comments about Resident Evil 4 (Bradygames Signature Series Official Strategy Guide).

1. The Guide for RE4 is a beautifully rendered one, covering all the places things hide, all the ways to combine items, and how to get every detail out with regard to outfits and the oddity of "other" weapons. The first time you play it you could probably use this, too, but only if you want to make one run at the game and only if you need it to fast-forward all of the puzzles. The problem with this is that a guide is simply a guide and, in the end, RE4 is player-friendly enough that you won't need it. You might need to find out about what to beat to get something bizarre, but there are things in game that allow for everything else.
   
   First, the merchants in the game are really useful and they sell maps that highlight out all the treasure. While this doesn't tell you how to combine everything, you can simply keep all your odd little items and try combining them until you manage a priceless artifact. Second, you can look at the guns and see how they "stat up" to figure out what you want. The guide give advice that works if you want to edge up from one weapon to the other, but some of the weapons are pretty playthings and their use is what makes the experience unique. Third, this is the friendliest game as far as enemies are concerned, and you should be able to beat anything with a little practice and a few lucky shots. The same can be said for the puzzles - none of them are really difficult and finding out stuff on your own makes you feel strong. Finally, just play through the minigames in the game, kick it up and beat the game more than once, and power up your weapons all the way and see what you end up with.
   
   So, you really don't need a guide and maybe you know it. Still, if you have to have one because you just need it or if you are buying this for someone who you might think needs help, it thrives here. This book is sexy, too, and I was impressed by the quality of the maps and the excellent care taken by the designers of the walk-through. I am of the opinion that a walk-through is either (1) a compulsive need to get everything or (2) a way to even the playing field. If you need either one of those, this is a golden ticket out of Las Plaga land. If not, you know how to run and gun.
   Regardless, try to run the game first! The play-through is exciting when you have no idea what to expect AND you are better than you think. I wish i could wink when saying this, too, and add "trust me" for good measure. Resident Evil 4



2. A friend introduced me to Resident Evil 4, and after several gruesome deaths during the course of the game I thought that maybe I should by the walk-through book. I first purchased one from a differant company, but found it to be unsatisfactory, and looked for and located a copy of this Bradygames version, which I have been extremely pleased with. The information and maps provided for game play are excellent, to the point where you can be totally prepared for what's around the next corner if you decide to read ahead, or you can just forge ahead, and then go back and read in the book where you messed up after you die, and do it better the next time. Some people might think it spoils the game to be prepared before hand, but it can easily make the game more enjoyable, and this walk-through definately makes it more so, if you decide to play that way. It's an excellent resource, and a definate must for any serious player.



3. I got this for my daughters friends birthday. She loved it ! It helped her get through the game.She said it was one of the best strategy guides she has ever gotten,very detailed.



4. The book helped me find all items and find ways to kill all the boss's and tells you how to unlock all characters. I loved it
   
   Luke Ross



5. One of the best walkthroug books i have ever bought , i'm a fan of bradygames , they always make the walktroug without unnecessary spoilers , and this one is like all the others straight to the point , have all the informations you need and has a neat poster to ^^

5 comments about The Video Poker Edge: How to Play Smart and Bet Right.

1. An excellent treatment on Video Poker. Gives, as all these guides do, a quick overview of what is involved in playing Video Poker. Then she delves into the deeper aspects of choice of game which is based on the printed paytable and its implied "expected return" and volatility level. You see some games while having very attractive payoffs for those very rare hands, require a substantially higher bankroll to play with a reasonable expectation of achieving the theoretical long-term payoff while others with lower payoffs (but more frequent) require less bankroll. Lots of tables are included containing all the really essential stuff sought after by the serious Video Poker player. Now if you are NOT a serious player, this book can still be a valuable investment because there are removable strategy cards at the end of the book covering all the most common machines. Those alone were worth the price of admission.



2. This book doesn't provide much in strategy that you can't find on the net or elsewhere. I was looking for some well formated strategy charts for non-full pay games, and this book was not good for that need.
   
   One positive section was the discussion of VLTs in many racinos and bars in several states (e.g. bars in Louisiana). VLTs are not VP machines based on random number generators.
   
   The strategy cards are terrible and I think my copy was missing a page (there was a tear showing a previous perforation). If you play VP in large casinos on the strip, you won't be playing full pay games.



3. Excellent, understandable and I'd rec. to any one looking for a 'how to' on video poker



4. This is a very well written book for beginners. Other authors on this subject introduce their books as suitable for a beginner in the first few chapters but the following chapters are difficult for the novice to read and understand. Linda Boyd, perhaps because she is an educator, writes clearly and fully introduces new vocabulary before using new terms in her explanations.



5. I was looking for a book on video poker that covered most of the recent games and optimal strategy for those games. The book does just that, and more....