There are walkthroughs and there are walkthroughs

Attempting to play "Bad Mojo" (not sure the plusses outweight the minuses right now.) As I wasn't getting very far I decided to refer to a walkthrough.

The walkthrough I tried gave a sequence of actions to get through "Bad Mojo". It didn't explain how one should have got to some of the puzzle solutions. It didn't cover alternative pathways and answers which seem to be there judging from my attempt to play "Bad Mojo". Importantly for me I didn't feel any more capable of playing "Bad Mojo" by myself than I did before reading some of the walkthrough.

What do people want from a walkthrough? Do you consider there are different sorts of walkthroughs?

Definitely. Some walkthroughs are just a list of (do this, do that, go there, fetch that, combine those). I don't very much like those.

Others really explain what's happening and why (when you go into that room, you will notice a green lamp. Remember its shape. In the next room, there is a yellow bulb. Take it. Now go back to the kitchen and combine the yellow bulb with the blue shade to get a lamp in the same shape as the green lamp you saw). Much longer, but it helps you to learn to think the way the developers want you to, to solve their puzzles. Which means you could do the next one yourself.

I like the UHS hints type of walkthroughs. I'm not sure if you're used them, but they generally ask questions like:

"How do I get into this room?" then the answers come in one at a time as you click on them, like:
1 Could it be hidden somewhere?
2 Where would you hide a key?
3 did you check under the carpet?
4 The carpet is under a corner of the carpet outside the door.

I think the one you're using is a "spoiler free" walkthrough that tries really hard to not tell you anything.

BTW, Bad Mojo Redux is a great game!

Hi

I try only to refer to a walkthrough if I get really stuck but MaG's style, and that of other regular "suppliers" here at Gameboomers, does it for me

Full instructions and sometimes pictures as well. Brilliant stuff !!

Cheers.

Mad

I don't leave home without MaG's walkthroughs and all the walkthroughs here at Gameboomers are just the best. We are all so very lucky and I for one am very spoiled and very grateful. Thanks for all the work on our behalf!

It depends on the game what help i need. Some games seem so un-logical comparing to my thinking that i am happy with MaG's detailed walkthrough. Many times, just after reading the beginning of the walkthrough i get the hang of it and finish the game without to much problems.
Other games only need a UHS hinch.

And of course there are games i finish without any walkthrough!

Peter , there is always "hints" right here to post in,if you just need to push past a certain part. ( I so want to know if you're trying to get by the spider !) But yes,there are many sorts of walkthroughs,and I've probably used several types. I think MaG's are the best, because of the completeness - and I know I needed the pics in one or two along with those step by steps in a couple of games I wouldn't have finished otherwise.

I agree, MaG's walkthroughs are the best. Not only are they very detailed, but she also explaines how the puzzles are solved. What I also appreciate are the introductions at the beginning with explanations regarding gameplay and hints.

Heidi

Yes,Heidi - I also love the introductions.

Thank you. It's good to know what features in a walkthrough help the gamers.

I've seen many walkthroughs over the years. The UHS hints are a great idea, but for me nothing beats playing a game with having a fellow gamer you can contact for help. Posting for hints can be problematic - you may end up being told more than you were after.

Why do people write walkthroughs? Two reasons I can think of. One is like helpful MaG to help people through a game. Another are those who compete to be the first through a game, and pen a walkthrough almost as a declaration of triumph.

Why do people use walkthroughs? Dineke and others have pretty much covered that. I'm curious about how many people play through a game by following a walkthrough like they were painting by numbers.

Thanks for the replies all!

Morning Peter,
I usually try not to use a walkthrough, but find that as soon as one is available feel a slight sense of disappointment, because I know for a fact that I will use it. I usually leave it until I am completely stuck and have tried every avenue. I get annoyed with myself because using a walkthrough shortens the game considerably, makes me lazy when I should be using the brain cells. I played Anacapri the Dream before MaG released her walkthrough and enjoyed it far more because I was able to do it myself with just a few hints from MaG.
I don't use a walkthrough completely because there are many parts of a game I would miss if I didn't spend ages wandering around exploring.

I only use them when I'm writing a review and have been stuck for hours while I have a deadline to meet. They're not always available so soon after (or before if it's an advance copy) the release though so I do often have to rely on my own brain.

I find walkthroughs irresistable unfortunately. I wish I could try harder and longer before consulting one. The games are much more enjoyable if I figure them out for myself, but the last time I did that was with Simon the Sorcerer 3D. On the other hand I enjoy re-playing games when I know exactly what I'm doing and the story line flows instead of being stilted when I'm stuck.

When i go camping i always take the laptop with at least two
games in it.
With MaGs walkthroughs on the desk top.
Like others i only use them as a last resort.
I do not feel guilty using them any more.
I did not take one along on a week camping trip,to see if i
could get along with out it..Well on my first
day i got stuck on a *&*%$#&&* puzzle that no way i
can figure it out.
So i blowed four days of great gaming because of this .
When i got home and used MaGs walkthrough i was able to play for days on my own.
So i do not regret at all leaning on MaG once and a while.
She has helped me so much over the years...Thanks MaG...Ron

I am still waiting for MaG's walkthrough on life itself but I am not in a hurry to get to the end of that game!

Hi

Although I do use walkthroughs if I get really stuck, I try to leave them inconvenient to get at ....

Firstly I don't print one out

Then I keep it so that if I DO need to access a walkthrough I must "quit the game" to go look at it

So obviously, I never allow myself to use that "oh so tempting" Game/Desktop Tab ....

It all helps

Cheers.

Mad

Sometimes a UHS type guide is quite useful. I like the concept, just that sometimes, I feel like using them is a brand new pixel hunt for answers. And if the game has a lot of optional gameplay, alternate path -- endings or is non-linear, a detailed save points list is brilliant. Save here! is one of the most useful tips I have gotten for more than a few games. Doesn't tell you what to do - just here are the places where things branch off is the point.

Most of the time, I lurk my way over to a busy hints forum. Since most posters are aware of the need to shield outright spoilers, it's a great way to get the nudge I need and no more.

Then of course for more complete stuckness, I always look for..

- by MaGtRo, play tested, BAAGer approved

all the rest are mere walkthroughs.

I love--walkthroughs, especially MaG's.
If I can't find one to fit the game I want to play, I won't buy the game.
I usually try to find two different ones for each game, if I can.
I love following the directions & still have to ask for help sometimes!
I also read the GameBoomers help forum alot, usually if others are having to ask for help, I will have trouble in the same place & it saves me from asking for help.
So MaG as time consuming & troubling it is to do, please, please never stop writing them. I need you!!
Thanks,
Jtiffin

Good Questions, I like walkthroughs that are good at explaining the setting, and making observations, so that, I can stop get a hint from it, before going through a step by step to do list,
I have also had the same experience as you, and left even more
frustrated when I still couldnt understand, how they come to the conclusion to do the steps...
would love to see more walkthroughs that set the stage, and give the inside workings of the mind that take you to the solution, I think I have seen alot of them like that at the game boomers site,
I love that most the walk throughs I only need a sentance or part of one, just to get me over the slump, sometimes its just pointing out how to look at what is there,and that gets me thinking, and solving the problem myself....

I appreciate the walkthroughs, they make games possible for me, I am not always understanding the way to go..
Marcia

I alway's look for Mag's walkthrough's also,I print it out before I start the game.I try to play as much as I can before I have to look at it I also like TLC walkthroughs they both do a great job of explaining what to do,not just pointing it out!

Cailyn,

Thank you. That's nice to hear. I'm with you, I always look for MaG's wt's, they're the best.

Your w/t's are nothing to sneeze at either TLC!
Take a bow lady

Sue

Achoooooo, Sue. Thank you.

Goof!

Sue

I play the game on one computer and pull up the W/T on the other computer when I need it. (like most of the time LOL) I've really messed up a lot of games early on by doing things out of order. I love to play games, not go crazy when I'm stuck for hours or days. At this point, I wait to see that there is a W/T before I even buy a game.

Teddo