2 comments about Saints Row 2 Signature Series Guide.

1. This is one of the worst game guides I have ever tried to use. For the collectibles, there is just a map with no description of where or how to find what you are looking for. On top of that, the maps aren't even complete. There are 32 secret areas but the guide only has 19 on the map. The map only shows 65 of the 80 stunt jumps. The barnstorming map shows 33 of the 35 events but has eight crosshairs scattered around the map for no reason. I think only the CD's map has the correct number of markers. When you start a new game and bring the map up on the screen, everything except for the area where you start is grayed out and lacks detail. This is the screen shot they used in the guide for all of these maps. The prison where you start the game is bright and has some detail but everything else is not.
   
   Other parts of the guide are equally deficient. The weapons section just has a picture and a name but not stats or information about the weapon or how to get it. The Hitman sections often give no more information about the target than what shows in the game.
   
   I could go on and on but you get the idea. This is a total amateur job and not worth the money. There will be much better maps and guides available online for free before long, if they aren't available already. Wait for them.



2. I was more than pleased with previous Brady Games books for Grand Theft Auto IV, and GTA: San Andreas. Past experience set high expectations, so I purchased this guide site unseen.
   
   It's so disappointing I almost feel cheated. Most of the book is little more than a recitation of the instruction manual and readily available in-game information with a few common sense tips that you can easily figure out by yourself.
   
   In previous Brady books, collectible locations were usually described with overview maps, a sentence or two description on how to find them, and pictures to make collecting an easy, albeit often tedious, task. The Saints Row 2 book only provides a map, making elevation and exact location of collectibles much harder to pin-point.
   
   Instructions on completing hit lists and car jacking give you no more information that what the game itself already gives you when you get the car and hit lists. No new advice, and no detailed location instructions.
   
   The sections on vehicles and weapons is a major waste of space. All you get are pictures. No details and no statistics.
   
   Brady had no business releasing this book. It is far, far below their usual standards.

No comments about Mirror's Edge: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

No comments about Rune Factory 2 Official Strategy Guide.

2 comments about Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. This is a Prima Guide, so one expects it to have some errors and oversights. In the past, one could always turn to Nintendo Power for higher quality guides, but now that the NP guides are no longer made, we're stuck with Prima. This guide is a good example of why I never have liked to buy Prima guides.
   
   Let's start with the good news. The Dungeon pages in this guide do list info about things such as item and level restrictions. The color coding for different sections of the Pokedex is nice. Also, this guide does have a full Pokedex complete with numerical lv. 1 stats, however, it does NOT list every place that the Pokemon can be found (it only tells one place), and the footprints (useful for the Sentry minigame) are not listed either.
   
   Now for the bad news. The data sections (from the quiz at the start of the game to the item tables) are not alphabetized, a fact that makes the tables needlessly hard to use. The item tables do not list the selling price of items. There is no list of Wonder Mails so you can get the Pokemon exclusive to each version. Don't expect to find suggested partners for each starter, either. The Dungeon overview pages will not tell you what items to expect to find in each dungeon, so you either have to guess or keep your own notes. The basic strategy info on Pokemon moves from each Dungeon is pretty useless. While the info is true, I think most Pokemon fans already know this. I would have much rather seen level ranges of Pokemon within the dungeon and a list of items found therein (as well as rarities), instead of useless info about the moves of Pokemon in the dungeon. Also, I dislike that the Recommended Path for the game was placed in front of the the Game Mechanics section. It would make more sence to place it between the Game Mechanics and Walkthrough sections, making it harder to ruin the story for yourself when you flip to the Game Mechanics section for a particular piece of info.
   
   In short, my advice is to skip this guide and print off a decent walkthrough from a free site. This game has no significant maps, and the only grapical data you might actually need (the footprints) is absent from this guide anyway. With the non-alphabetized data sections, those who own this guide will likely find themselves printing off needed info from an online walkthrough anyway.
   
   A side note for those who don't know what a game guide is (and think that perhaps it is a book about Pokemon for kids to read): A game guide (a.k.a. Strategy Guide) is a publication that is supposed to tell everything about a game. It is useful for choosing strategies and completing every aspect of a game, but it is not a story book. It is more akin to an Atlas or Encyclopedia and is typically used as reference by serious players. While it does require some reading skills, it is only useful to those who have a copy of the games (which games also require reading skills).
   
   Signed, Pamela



2. The two books are excellent, and provide a link with two grandsons who live in Switzerland ...they have a copy and I have a copy so we read together over the phone

5 comments about RuneScape: The Official Handbook.

1. A very good introductory guide to the game for new players. As well it contains a lot of tips to those who are still acquiring new skills, and haven't completed all the quests.
   
   While experienced players may not find much in this guide that they do not know, it is an attractive book which fans of the game would appreciate. Being able to hold and look at the maps on paper alone will prove an attractive enough feature for some players.
   
   There are still parts of this guide which may prove entertaining reading, and the locations and map might still prove use at times, even to the most accomplished players.
   
   I gave the guide as a gift to my nieces and nephews; and for them I think the clearly laid-out sections on Online Safety Guide, the Rules of RuneScape and Basic tips for beginners are written in language they can understand. Given the importance of Online Safety and the necessity of acting as responsible player as part of a much wider community those sections are crucial to anyone fresh off Tutorial Island.
   
   As a gift it makes and excellent way to pass on the love of the game which avid RuneScape players may wish to give to new players.
   
   Regards, Fey Warrior



2. I knew everything in it, but the maps and stuff helped, also it helps with the skills and all that stuff. So, if I were a like, "i love" runescape (which im not) i would totally get this. Still if you really have trouble doing some stuff you get it.



3. Allow me to say, if you have already purchased this book then I'm sorry. The book poorly attempts to explain RuneScape and tries to teach players how to play, but the author failed to realize one thing: The game updates every week.
   
   The rules and monsters mentioned in the book are obsolete; the pictures are no longer relevant since runescape is constantly updating the graphics; the rules are ever changing; and the book is for 9-12 year olds when the rules clearly state that the game is for 13+? The author should go back to tutorial island and learn that you should never make a guide book about a constantly changing game.
   
   I'd only recommend this book if it's on the shelf of your supermarket checkout line and you need something to read; of course don't actually buy the book.



4. Bought this book for my grandson who nearly wore out the library copy. Could provide even more detail but good for new players. Not an advanced book.



5. My boys love their RuneScape game and had to have this book! They seem to use it and think it's great.

No comments about Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals Official Strategy Guide (Brady Games) (Bradygames Strategy Guides).

5 comments about Super Smash Bros. Brawl: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. I bought this guide at my local gamestop for 19.95. Right when I got it, I tore open the packaging and read it from cover to back. I was happy and unhappy.
   
   I liked the fact that it gave you a heads-up on the items and assist trophies. It gave you some strategies and home-run and target strategies, also. This is almost the first half of the book! What they really didn't need, however, was a complete section for every sticker possible. That ticked me off.
   
   Now we get to the stage and character strategies. I really wanted a stage map of all the levels saying "hazard here" or "loose block here" or something. All we got were a few small photos and a layout of the level. It was kind of helpful but pretty much all it took into account for was the hazards an tiers.
   
   Charcter strategies, however, were spot on. I loved that section. It gave you a bio, their moveset, some strategies with them, their weight class and KO potential, and even what to expect when fighting against them. It rated the character on offense, defense, final smash, speed, throwing ability, and projectile. It also gave you an overall rating for them.
   
   In conclusion, I would buy this strategy guide for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I wouldn't, however, expect much from it or pay 20 bucks for this.



2. My grandson, for his 9th birthday, received a wide selection of gifts including new Wii games. But once he opened the Super Smash Bros. Brawl book he was totally involved. It was by far his #1 gift.



3. I don't buy guides that often, but this one was pretty cheap, and an official Nintendo product (well, it does have the official quality seal). Everything about the guide is very good, the quality of the paper, the high resolution pictures and everything is presented in a very beautifull way. The chapters aren't very structured, but everything you need to know about the game is there! Its a gorgeous collection of everything that's in the game. The only thing missing is the online strategies .... I would recommend it to all the Smash Bros or Nintendo fans!



4. Nintendo fans have been waiting for it for 7 years, and it finally was released: Super Smash Brothers Brawl! Along with the game, PrimaGames made a guide for the game, but Nintendo Power still does not appear with their guide for the game.
   
   Like all guides, this one starts out with the Controls and more basic stuff. This stuff is good for newcomers to the Smash Bros., series but really isn't of any use for veterans. Anyway, it's there.
   
   Finally, we get to the real guide. There are strategies for Home-Run Contest, as well as Target Test. Up next are Stage Strategies, which really just detailed overviews.
   
   Next up is the guide for the Events, as well as Classic Mode. Then we get to the guide for Subspace Emissary. This brings the guide down slightly. Barely any screenshots for the levels and short strrategy. Don't forget that there's no maps whatsoever.
   
   After that is the Character Guide. This is where the guide really stands out. The guide rates characters 1-10 on 6 categories, and then Overall. It lists theie Special Moves and Final Smash, but sadly not full movesets. Then there's strategies for the character, KO Potential and their weight, and even strategies for fighting against them!
   
   Finally, the last two pages support secrets of the game. The writing is small, but at least it's there!
   
   Overall, the guide is very unorganized and would have gotten a 3/5 from me, but the Character Guide gets it up to a 4/5.



5. This guide book, really doesn't supply the day-to-day stratergies that hard-core gamers want, in fact I just find this guide useless, I just bought it for the Secrets and The Target Test statergies, everything was BS to me. Especially the Character Rankings, SERIOUSLY, it gives JigglyPuff a better rating than Pikachu (Yes I love Pikachu), the guy that wrote this book stuck to his Stratergies, and other stuff. Also the guy who wrote this book is a critic, the rankings he gave for the character are terrible, and he gave Marth a 9, all the other characters he gave 8 or lower. Alot of the Stratergies don't even deplete my Grandmother's playing styles, and alot of it is just bad detailed info, I only found atleast 3-5 things helpful and that's it. It says "Detailed Information On How To Get 100% On Subspace Emminasary", yeah right. Where are the freaking maps? I would also like to have a damage list on the average base of damage is. I really hate the rankings. IMO this book will only supply you with recycled and old Stratergies, i'd suggest go to Youtube.com and look up videos for Stratergies. Other than that this book is useless. 2/5

4 comments about FINAL FANTASY IV Official Strategy Guide (Bradygames Official Strategy Guides).

1. Final Fantasy IV is a relatively simple game. It's even simplar if you've been through it before. But for those who haven't, this strategy guide can get you through much of the game with ease.
   
   It begins by jumping right into the basics of the game. Final Fantasy IV is by no means a hard game to understand. So long as this isn't your first Final Fantasy, there's nothing here you probably don't already know. At least it's there, but much of its tips and basic explanations have been hammered into your head before. At least it doesn't spend too much time here as it goes into the characters. Each character has a bio and tells you about their starting stats. It'll also show you coverage of their abilities. Afterwards it talks about all the magic you can use as well as all the items, equipment, and armor. After all this preliminary stuff, we get to the walkthrough.
   
   In the past, BradyGAMES has often used a step by step walkthrough, while explaining some of the more complicated stuff. The Final Fantasy IV guide doesn't do this (but at least it has a World Map which BradyGAMES is notorious for neglecting). There's nothing too complicated about the walkthrough. There are no story spoilers and each section begins by telling you what items you can find in an area as well as showing you all the maps for an area. If it's a dungeon it'll show you all the enemies encountered. All the items are pointed out on the maps, and it'll also show you on each map what you get for uncovering 100% of the map.
   
   The walkthrough has an easy presentation and is easy to follow. Some of the boss strategies are not the best, however. Most of them are pretty good about offense. Telling you what to use to attack certain bosses, and their weaknesses. BradyGAMES still doesn't do a good job of preparing you with a good defense. It's hard to blame the guide for this as you'll probably be alright just knowing what to attack with.
   
   Once all that is said and done, we get into the Bestiary. Which highlights all the stats of every enemy in the game. Telling you their weakness and what they'll drop and even the rate at which they drop it. The Bestiary doesn't present itself in alphabetical order. Rather it goes based on the enemy's assigned number. Which is basically the order in which you see them.
   
   Afterwards there's an entire section dedicated to Whyt and teaching him abilities. There are also secrets, though it's only a page long. Much of what Final Fantasy IV has to offer is actually covered in the walkthrough. Many of the optional things you can do are noted in the walkthrough as they come up in the quest.
   
   There's really no big reason to buy a guide for Final Fantasy IV. That doesn't make the guide bad. Or even useless. If this is your first time through Final Fantasy IV and you're confused on where to go or what to do next, this guide is pretty helpful. If you mastered Final Fantasy IV inside out beforehand, then picking up the guide for all the new content probably isn't worth your while.



2. This a a fun, easy-to-use guide. The maps are nice and the monster descriptions are very helpful. Definitely recommended for someone who has not played the earlier version of this game.



3. Basically it's a good guide with detailed maps, lovely pictures of all characters, and clear tipps. But there are 2 fights in the game where I had to look in a userforum for help. Overall I would buy it anyway.



4. Good shape, loved the fast delivery. Not To mention it was at a good price, too!

5 comments about Penny Arcade Volume 5: The Case Of The Mummy's Gold (Penny Arcade).

1. If you are looking at this book most likely you are all ready a fan of Penny Arcade. If you are a fan and wondering why you would buy a book containing strips freely available in the Penny Arcade archives, I will tell you that Tycho has, as with the first four volumes, gone back and written new commentary for all the strips in the book. As Penny Arcade fans know, a great part of the Penny Arcade experience is enjoying the strips again through Tycho's commentary on the thought process behind the strip and/or the events that led to it. There is a section in the back which includes sketches made on various convention table tops from across the years which is fun bonus material as well.



2. Collecting year 04 of Penny Arcade, Gabe and Tycho are at it again. What are they at you may ask? Hardcore hilarity. A great addition to your ever growing comic book/Web Comic collection.



3. No boring, long review. Just know that Penny Arcade is fantastic, and if you do not enjoy Penny Arcade, not only is this book not for you, but neither is oxygen.



4. If you read the brilliant webcomic Penny Arcade, then you need to buy this book.
   
   It's as simple as that.



5. "The Case of the Mummy's Gold" is the fifth randomly-named Penny Arcade book; the strips covered are from 2004. The extras - random sketches from Comicon 2005 - aren't really that interesting this time.
   
   Krahulik and Holkins do wander further afield in terms of writing - golf, square dancing, a Cthulu Christmas sequence, and a number of other things depart from the gaming and geek humor that still make up most of the strip. The humor there is less trapped in topical events and knowledge of gaming/geek culture; even when the jokes are extremely topical, though, the commentary can keep it in context. Holkins' commentary itself is rarely overexplanatory, often adding humor of his own.
   
   There's less change in the art; it's never bad, and the character designs continue to evolve, but apart from where they step outside of the normal strip format (Twisp & Catsby, Cardboard Tube Samurai, and the Cthulu Christmas sequence) there aren't the leaps or experiments of previous volumes.
   
   Krahulik and Holkins can still tell a joke, of course. "Case of the Mummy's Gold" is an extremely funny book.
   
   ****1/2

4 comments about The Entrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse.

1. Entrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse
   
   I figured this would be a useful book because when I was interviewed for it the questions were in-depth, thoughtful, and non-fluffy. And it turns out that the book is even better than I expected. This is a GREAT book for anyone who wants to start an in-world Second Life business, or for someone who wants to improve their existing business. I would have turned a profit quicker if I'd had it when I was a newbie!



2. This book is a great way to learn about the many financial opportunities that await you in Second Life. The layout is clean and colorful, the examples shown are interesting and inspiring, and it is a good examination of Second Life overall. The lessons ignite the imagination...where would I like to concentrate my efforts as an entrepreneur? What does it really take to make a business successful? How have others done it, and what can I learn from their experiences? Terdiman did his homework on this project and the guide provides a realistic look at what it would take to create your dream career.



3. outstanding. this step-by-step guide is well-written, informative, and easy to navigate. the structure of the book allowed me to get straight to the topics i was interested in - it's clearly laid out and having first-hand advice from residents/experts was extremely useful and gave me confidence - there's a great chapter on Setting Up Shop, for example. It's a comprehensive how-to that makes the metaverse accessible to everyone.



4. This book gave me a lot of great ideas for the Second Life platform. I had no idea of the type of businesses that were in Second Life. Now that I have an idea of how to purchase land and have seen the various software applications being used to create product, I plan on experimenting with it for the next 90 days or so. From there, I'm going to continue using the platform to launch my Second Life business. This Book is fabulous!
   
   Lanesa Stubbs