Simpy put we use Walkthroughs because we can. Now some of prefer to ask for hints as evident by the Hints Section here but the majority of use Walkthroughs because widely availablem, free and as mentioned a quick fix that allow us to return to our game relatively quickly. Personally I prefer the Universal Hints System files because it allows you to think the problem out before giving you the answer as a result I get more gratification as seems that I am able to solve the puzzle "on my own" without having to ask someone for help or consult a walkthrough.

I suppose this is why sometimes if I give hints in the hints section they sometimes seem to be cryptic and often don't just describe in elaborate detail what to do incase anyone was wondering.

I have done the same as you, Housewife, in the past. That is, read a hint page to see if I will like the game or not. If the hints read "use corkscrew on banana, then cook banana, feed banana to the big tree in garden etc etc etc"... then I try to steer clear. Having said that, I've completely lied. I would actually buy that game just to see if the puzzles were as bizarre as they sounded.

Jonathan

Can't say that I've ever read a walkthrough BEFORE I bought a game, or even before playing the game. I use them when I'm at a point in the game where I've tried everything I can think of, and still nothing works, or it is a timed sequence that I can't get the knack of. Right now, I'm stuck with good old Tex in Overseer in a place that gives you VERY little time to complete a chore. Yep, I've read the W/T, and re-read it. I'm still getting killed, but I'm determined. I try not to keep the W/T too handy though; it's too easy to just read your way out of a puzzle, instead of thinking it out.

I love to read walkthrus of any game I am interested in buying. As said previously, I don't remember any of the puzzle solutions, I have looked at HOW it plays, and have a rough idea of the story, (if there is no story, bye bye) it's like a review, but more in depth.
As for using a WT, I find it's better than getting very frustrated. I play games for FUN, not STRESS!!!
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