Cheats and walkthroughs

[Mara]

How often, if ever, do you use a cheat or a walkthrough?

[Terry Penrod]

.

For cheat codes, I use them as infrequently as possible the first time through, but for casual replays, all bets are off - particularly with codes that allow you to really explore a game world in more detail without constant interference from hordes of respawning enemies you already killed ten times.

I also like to play around with character combos in RPGs that would never be possible without a character / save-game editor or cheat codes.

For first runs, I've also used cheat codes to get around game-stopping bugs like sticky walls and invisible floor openings caused by sloppy clipping paths or broken sequence triggers caused by bad coding. Sometimes that's the only way you can proceed.

For walkthroughs, that depends on several factors like the quality of the game and available time for solving certain complex puzzles or discovering secrets. I'm much more likely to tough it out in a great game no matter how hard the puzzles are.

There is a limit though, especially when game designers include ridiculously obscure clues and endless pixel hunts or totally random solutions with tons of red herrings. I'm not interested in wasting my time going on long, boring, wild goose chases - life's just to short.

Cheers, Terry

[Mr. Natural]

I rarely use them because once I do it seems to take some of the fun out of the game.
Last time I recall using one was Serious Sam. The amount of foes you had to face in that game at times became ridiculous which is why I never had interest in sequels for that series.
They do come in handy sometimes if you happen to come across a game stopping bug.

[Rob]

I have been using walkthroughs a lot more often. I have too many games and not enough time. So, I use walkthroughs to explore as much of the game as possible because I know when I am done, I am done.

I do stay away from cheats though. I want to get the most out of the game, but I still want to be the one playing and not blasting my way through so fast that the game is not enjoyable.

[Chylde Roland]

I never use them the first time through a game, unless I get really, really stuck.

I do my best to find all the secrets, etc. in my games but obviously can't find them all in one go round. So I use a walkthrough when I go through a game subsequent times.

Square's games are notorius for having tons of hidden content, so it tends to be for their games. I had one for Oblivion that I got for free with my collector's edition of the game, and it was nice having that around after my first time through the main quest.

[gridiron whirlwind]

I really try my hardest not to use a walk-thru.....but at times I have given in :(:

[OldsterHolster]

Last time I recall using one was Serious Sam.

That's funny, because it's also the last time I can remember using a cheat. Those games are just ridiculous, and it was the only way I could finish the last two levels of the last one. Otherwise, I never use cheats, and I only resort to walkthroughs after I've been stuck for a long time, like two days or more. Of course, I only play the shooters, so there are not a lot of complicated puzzles, usually, and often the walkthroughs just boil down to, "Kill the bad guys before they kill you." Heh, heh, heh.

It's a matter of pride with me, too, and I feel like I'm wasting my own money if I have to get outside help. If I played rpg's or adventure games, then I would think walkthroughs would be needed a lot more often to combat the extreme frustration of super hard puzzles. Edward.

[merlin3791]

I never use cheat codes, it would rob me of a sense of accomplishment.

I have used walkthroughs when I'm stuck in a game and feel I have given a reasonable amount of effort before giving up.

[Ojnod]

Cheats? Never
Walkthroughs? Pretty much everytime I get stuck for more than 10 minutes, I'm not very imaginative.

[Joe Cool]

I very rarely cheat, I just dont see the point. I think the last game I got cheats for was Sim-City 2000.

Walkthroughs, I do use if I'm stuck for a long time, or if I really dont have a clue what to do next.