2 comments about Everquest: Lost Dungeons of Norrath (Prima's Official Strategy Guide).

1. its been a while i ordered this july 31st and its now augest 14th im waiting



2. I thought this book was about LDoN - first half of the book is about Frogglok race that was added by this expansion. LDoN material is mainly some lore information (useless) and LDoN maps. No help on getting Adventurer's Stone, information on LDoN gear, how Adventure Stone is upgraded, or other information on LDoN - WASTE of Money. About poorest strategy book I have ever purchased. Can get just as much information from reading posts on the Internet (which is what i had to resort to after reading this book).

5 comments about Winning Chess Tactics (Winning Chess).

1. It has been said that chess is 99% tactics. So studying tactics is a requirement for getting better at chess.
   
   This is the 2nd book in Yasser Seirawan's "Winning Chess" series. It discusses all of the fundamental tactical tools which should form the foundation of a solid chess player's skill. In addition Seirawan introduces readers to some of the great attacking players in chess history and their games.
   
   Overall, I think the book did a superb job explaining the different tactics and provided ample examples and exercises to drive the points home. The only problem I noticed was either a diagram was wrong (#77) or the analysis appears to be incorrect.
   
   I would highly recommend this book as a first book on tactics.



2. I used to lose almost every game I played. I never took Chess serious until I played a thirteen year old and was thoroughly beaten. I knew I needed help and fast. This book broke tactics down to a level I never got from other chess books. It was not hard to follow and I learned a lot in just the first few chapters.



3. If you are a beginner chess player, with a rating below say 1400, and you are bewildered by the array of chess material ... rest easy. This book and tactics and this entire series of chess titles are absolutely excellent, and the best presented and thought out thematic chess books aimed at lower rated players in a way people can easily digest. Seriwan and Silman have created a deceptively simple formula for articulating complex points, and present the material with succinctness and clarity.
   
   Really this series is the defacto education plan and reference set for the beginner to U1400 player. Sadly i bought many titles before this series was publised .. you can spare yourself wasted time and money.



4. If you want a good book on tactics, this is the one for the Class A player on down. There are two kinds of books on tactics; ones that are a collection of tactical problems categorized by theme and this kind which is instructional and contains just the amount of problems needed to get the point made. This book also has a great exam at the end to rate your skill level at tactics and see how much of the book you have absorbed. Couple this book with Reinfeld's Winning Chess or Combinational Challenge by Hays(for the more advanced player) and you don't need any more on the subject!



5. There are many problems with this book, and it's a shame because the book has many 4- and 5-star reviews that will most likely overshadow this one. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to write a review on this book.
   
   1. The tests in this book have several major problems. Usually there are 4-6 tests for each tactic. The first two questions are usually on par with the examples, or slightly harder. Then the questions drastically get tougher. Like one reviewer pointed out... one question will require a simple 2-move combination, and the next requires you to figure out the 100% perfect move-list for a 10-move checkmate. Sorry, I'm not a grandmaster Yassir! The problem is that the tests don't progressively get tougher. There are usually more tougher tests than easy ones too, which I think only demoralizes the reader when they realize that they can't figure more than 30% of them out.
   
   2. Sometimes the first question is actually one of the toughest! This is rare, and it happens! Great method of instruction! (sarcasm). Another problem is that none of the examples are challenging, but Yassir expects the reader to use the vague general principle taught and exercise it to master-level strength in the tests. It's like the questions were purposefully tougher than the examples, and I don't understand the reason.
   
   3. There are not enough easy tests to cement the pattern of the tactic in the reader's mind. In fact, there is often only 1 test of each pattern for the tactic being demonstrated. As we know, pattern recognition only happens with constant repetition, so the book is more or less useless on this front. Maybe the problems in "Chess Tactics for Students" were simpler, but at least I can recognize those tactics rather quickly at a glance. This book hasn't helped me at all in my games.
   
   4. Sometimes tests at the beginning also use tactics taught in later chapters. For example, there's a clearance sacrifice required to solve a problem in one of the first tests... but clearance sacrifice taught several chapters later.
   
   5. Sometimes the answers to the tests are wrong. On test 23, you are put in check by the opponent's queen and you have to decide how to get out of check. You can block with your queen, block with a pawn or move the king (it's a pin problem... so the goal is to avoid a pin). After looking at the position however, I immediately saw that 'e5' (blocking with the pawn) was the best solution. It does pin the pawn to the King, but if you look at the position, it's not a negative at all.
   
   However, Yassir says moving the King is the best answer... and doesn't even consider blocking with the pawn at all! He just ignored the possibility completely. After giving the position to Fritz and Rybka chess engines, both said 'e5' was the best solution. Moving the King was only second best.
   
   There are several other tests (even those 8-10 move complex ones!) where the lines suggested by Yassir are incorrect, or where other solutions could easily fit the bill as the 'correct' answer. Test 50 is a good example of this. Honestly, myself, Fritz and Yassir only agreed on the first 2 moves. At that point, Yassir was dreaming of this 8-move checkmate that doesn't exist. When asking Fritz and Rybka the answer, it goes on for much longer with completely different moves.
   
   As far as I can tell, this only serves to demoralize the reader like they are doing something wrong. The tests should have been worked out so that very few lines would work. As it stands, your answer is almost always going to be different than Yassir's answer for these long 10-move problems.
   
   6. There are spelling and grammar mistakes throughout the book, even in the revised edition.
   
   7. Explanations are usually very thin. Sometimes the author will say "and with these 4 moves, Black is in real big trouble!"
   
   The problem is that Yassir doesn't explain how he's in trouble (it's usually some kind of tactic that is unrelated to the concept that is being taught). Yassir should have explained everything so that it was understood by new and expert players alike, but he doesn't! This happens quite frequently in the book, where the reader is left to their own devices to see what the author means. It just interrupts with the flow and understanding.
   
   8. The example games at the back of the book are irrelevant. The games with Anderssen are completely pointless. Yes, the games feature tactics, but it's only because the opponent accepted gambits (because it's "the manly thing to do!") and accepted double-rook sacrifices (because "he wants his opponent to prove a point") without considering the compensation that the other player gets or actually formulating plans of his own.
   
   In effect, Anderssen's opponents were idiots... and by modern standards, nobody in their right mind would play the way either player would. In fact, they would get crushed. What is the point of analyzing inferior openings and inferior moves when today's games will never see them? We learn by osmosis. These are not the type of games we should be studying!
   
   9. Also, the examples are master-level games where 90% of the stuff is not explained. Honestly, much of it went over my head. I don't understand the point to learning from master-level games. Why not show some 1200-1500 level games instead? Like show really common tactics we will see on a regular basis... and common errors and how they can be exploited? Why not make this book practical? This approach would have made the game analysis useful.
   
   10. There needs to be more diagrams in the book. Many times Yassir will throw out move lists or entire games with one or two diagrams. Unless you have a chess set with you, you are sitting at a computer, or you can see all the moves in your head... these examples won't be of much benefit to you. They are just hard to follow, and makes it impossible to read on... say... a bus. This is a problem with many chess books, and I don't know why they couldn't add another 40 pages to the book to make it easier to read. I would have gladly paid the extra .50 cents.
   
   11. The book is also plagued with the problem where you have a diagram on one page, and it's explanation on another... causing the reader to flip back and forth. Was it really hard to paginate the examples properly, even if it meant having some white space?
   
   Make no mistake, I did learn things from this book. I think because so many examples did use clearance sacrifices or piece sacrifices that I can see them a little better... perhaps because the "I'm going to lose on the exchange" mentality has been changed. Still, the book is just poor instruction and there has to be better books on tactics out there than this one.

No comments about Videogames and Education: Humanistic Approaches to an Emergent Art Form (History, Humanities, and New Technology).

No comments about Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Shadow of Death, Prima's Official Strategy Guide.

2 comments about AREA 51? Official Strategy Guide (Official Strategy Guides).

1. strategy guides for fps are a waste of money but i like to have them if i have the game sick addiction



2. If you need to find eveything, this is a great guide. Buy it : )

No comments about Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams Official Strategy Guide (Bradygames Official Strategy Guides) (Bradygames Official Strategy Guides).

1 comments about Spider-Man: Friend or Foe Official Strategy Guide (Bradygames Strategy Guides).

1. This guide was a great purchase. It breaks down all of the complex levels of the game into easy-to-understand details. Now I know what I'm doing when I play the game. Thanks for getting this out to me.

5 comments about Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria Official Strategy Guide.

1. I have to start by saying that I really don't think this is a "poor" guide, per se, but it's definitely not one of Bradygames' better ones. I've noticed a distinct pattern in Bradygames' guides - they tend to alternate in quality, with one being great and the next being useless. The guide for Dragon Quest VIII wasn't good, for example, but the guide for Xenosaga: Episode 3 was great. Unfortunately, the pattern continues here, as this guide for Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria is mediocre, an overall disappointment.
   
   While the guide provides maps - not the best quality, but at least they're there - it really provides little in the way of a walkthrough or strategy, save a few comments peppered here and there. While locations that you visit are clearly laid out in the recommended order, a thorough, detailed walkthrough with directed suggestions/hints is absent. Often, the strategy for a particular location (many of which are extremely complex) is limited to a paragraph of general tips with little specific information.
   
   But hey, at least there's *some* walkthrough, right? Unfortunately, the guide falters elsewhere as well. When it comes to recruiting einherjars, the guide will point out when you get them, but fails to suggest when to release them or what equipment to give them at that time to maximize the stat-boosting items you receive afterwards. The guide is equally inept at suggesting equipment to purchase, or in recommending which of countless rune-word-based skills you should attempt to learn at what time.
   
   While I don't expect to have my hand held every step of the way, my take on it is this: if I'm going to pay $15-20 for a book that tells me how to play the game to maximize rewards, find all of the hidden goodies, and get the best ending, then I expect the guide to publish that information. Without it, it's little more than an incomplete reference - an atlas with maps, pretty pictures, and not much else.
   
   While no guide can ever be totally comprehensive, it can easily provide more information than this one does. The walkthrough, while passable, is still incomplete; other tips, tricks, and pointers are almost absent. Not as bad as some of the guides I've seen, true, but this one isn't worth the cover price either.
   
   And Bradygames, please start holding all of your guides to the same standard instead of letting short, incomplete ones like this one slip through the cracks. Bottom line: skip this one and use a walkthrough or FAQ you find online. Save your money for the (hopefully better) guide to FFXII.



2. I have to agree with the other reviewer in that this is a mediocre book at best. It is extremely brief in its approach, especially for a game as complex as this one. You basically just get a map of the dungeon and a few tidbits on item locations. They don't go over what enemy parts you should break for runes/items, they don't tell you how to manipulate the sealstones, there isn't anything on releasing einherjars, etc.
   
   Save your money and wait for someone to write a good guide online..



3. This guide is great but there is a little problem:
   The most of important items writing on the book has different name in the game. This is the only disadvantage that i considered. The remaining of this guide is great, at least for me. THE GAME is THE BEST!!!



4. The guide book contains great figures of characters, including their profiles. If the book had a way to get those tricky treasure, it would be better.



5. Bradygames nous a habitué a beaucoup mieux...
   Le cheminement est pour ainsi dire inexistant, les cartes sont trop petites et illisibles et les tableaux récapitulatifs des objets ne sont pas illustrés ce qui les rend particulièrepment indigestes.
   Je m'attendais à un guide qui me permettrait de traverser le Seraphic Gate sans trop de problème mais la seule information que l'on vous donnera sur ce donjon, c'est le nom des boss et leurs caractéristiques : les puzzles sont totalement ignorés !
   Un point positif (tout de même) : Les énigmes du jeu sont bien expliquées.
   
   Conclusion : n'achetez pas ce guide, les FAQ du net sont autrement plus complètes et précises.
   Conclusion : Don't buy this book, FAQ on the Net are much better

2 comments about Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Official Strategy Guide.

1. Castlevania Portrait of Ruin is a pretty large game. While the overall game itself is pretty easy to figure out, it's pretty easy to miss all those easter eggs and complete all those quests without some help. Well, the help is here and it actually works out fairly well. For the most part you'll get the information you need.
   
   The Guide begins with character introductions and then goes into the game basics section. Castlevania Portrait of Ruin is by no means a hard game to get a hold of, however, there are some pretty good tips here that beginners may not very well know. Experts and those who go on Speed Runs through Castlevania games probably won't need most of these tips however. Also, any Castlevania veteran who knows what to expect shouldn't need this section either. But if you're a beginner it's there just because. However, in this section the guide gives up the goods on a glitch in the game when completing Wind's quest. There's never been an easier way to get money, or more than one of a specific item.
   
   The walkthrough, the meat of all strategy guides, is what really counts in this guide other than the quests sections. Each section begins with a pretty basic map that shows you where all the itmes are locaated with numbered black dots. Numbered red dots represent objectives that need to be completed, and you can read about these points in the walkthrough, and they're pretty basic. Best of all the guide gets to the point. Also, on each map here, BradyGAMES has illustrated the path you should take to get through most places. Just following this straight-forward path doesn't net you every item or even uncover all of the in-game map, however.
   
   The maps are pretty much taken straight from the game, but they're good enough for you to navigate by. They also point out the location of portraits, save rooms and warp rooms.
   
   In each section of the walkthrough they also have a list of enemies that populate an area. Here you'll find HP listings, weaknesses, experience and so forth. This lowers the amount of page flipping by a considerable amount. More than likely, however, you won't need to refer back to this portion of each section too much.
   
   Boss strategies are surprisingly detailed. They give you some pretty helpful tips. I've always been an advocate for using your own strategies, but here these boss strategies not only help, but you get you through some boss fights with little or no damage at all. Considering how much of a challenge these boss fights can be, taking no damage sounds like a plan.
   
   The walkthrough gets you through the game with ease. There's not much left for you to figure out on your own. You've got puzzle solutions, boss strategies, enemy listings... all at your disposal. The game itself isn't too hard to figure out as it is, but with this leg up you'll conquer what you need to conquer. If you're lost, the guide will help you out quite a bit. Stuck at a boss? The strategies here help. In other words, this is exactly what a guide should be. There are also no spoilers, or catching you up on what needs to be done. This guide doesn't waste time. The walkthrough is fast and simple. The only real problem with the walkthrough is that there a couple of blurry or pixaled screenshots, but this is hardly a problem. You can still visually learn from them.
   
   After the walkthrough you'll get into all those secrets. Here the guide goes into the optional endings, New Game+, Hard Mode, Stella and Loretta Mode, Richter and Maria mode and other extras like Boss Rush Mode. There's no walkthrough for the different modes, but if Portrait of Ruin is like previous Castlevania games, you shouldn't need a full blown walkthrough for these extra character modes simply because the maps and such don't change. Therefore I can't really hold that against the guide.
   
   After all the secrets we get into the other part of the guide that's really good. The Quests which Wind sends you on. While the quests are indeed called out in the walkthrough, this little section in the back reduces page flipping. Here you'll get all you need to complete a quest. More than likely you'll need help with some of these quests, given that Wind's explanations are rather vague at times. This guide will help you get through each and every quest. Also, like I said, they give you a neat little trick that lets you duplicate the rewards that Wind gives you (but remember, that is found in the game basics section, not the quests or secrets section).
   
   After all the quests we get into the appencdices with weapon, armor, sub weapons etc. All this stuff is pretty standard for just about any guide. The descriptions are pretty helpful as well. Not only that but it tells you where to find them. So if you're missing a sub weapon and don't know where to find it and you don't want to flip all through the walkthrough, you can just as easily flip to the sub weapon appendix and it'll tell you where to find it. Again, the guide is very easy to use.
   
   Finally there't he bestiary. Which basically tells you all the monster stats that were presented to you in the walkthrough. There's a little more detail here, and for the bosses they'll repeat strategies, but for the most part, it's just an extension of the enemy stats already listed in the walkthrough. You more than likely won't need to use this, but again, like the game basics, it's there for those who might potentially need it.
   
   Is there really anything wrong with this guide? Well, there are not that many perfect guides out there, and this is no exception. There's nothing mentioned about co-op play at all. It's hard to judge whether or not this is a big problem. They do cover boss rush mode and the rewards granted for it, but it seems like a no brainer that a guide would cover EVERYTHING about the game. There's not even a mention of co-op mode. Still, for what it's worth, you get everything you need from this guide concerning the single player experience. If you're stuck, I guarantee this guide will help you out.



2. I am impressed with the detailed instructions and screen prints. A must-have for those that get stuck in video games. Is is a completely detailed walkthrough of the entire game, a guarantee that you can finish the game.

2 comments about Front Mission 4 Official Strategy Guide (BradyGames).

1. The guide wasn't EXACTLY what I had hoped for. I usually obsess over guides, wanting a HUGE guide with extremely detailed points and tips. But, it got the job done.
   
   There are a few errors and a few things I wasn't especially happy with. The inventory for the weapon arms such as the Vampire and the gun, Ziege Rifle were missing. I really wished they were in there.
   
   The strategies were very good, it showed the easiest way to defeat your enemies since Front Mission 4 is more strategy then overpower your enemies.
   
   The best part is at the end, just before the simulators, that they show you step by step how to get the bonus weapons. They also cited how to do so on each page and marked it so you'd remember. However, such as getting the Vampire arms, they didn't specifically tell you you had to do Simulator 10, which all they really did was hint at it.
   
   The simulator strategies were good, although it would have been better if they were more detailed. Unfortunately, they didn't list what your rewards for each simulator was after you defeat it such as the money and prize, which kinda bugged me.
   
   All in all, however, this strategy guide is a good one. It WILL help you beat the game very quickly. The first time I played Front Mission 4, it took me over 100 hours, mostly cuz I like to train and destroy my enemies instead of just beat them. So far, I'm at the end in less than 5 hours, with the guide.
   
   So, if you like Front Mission 4, and you want to taste the power of all the bonuses, buy this guide.



2. This game is extremely straight-forward, very linear, but this strategy guide will help make sure that you don't miss a single secret.