How Long Do you Try to Solve on your own?

Just curious as to how long you will attempt to solve a puzzle or wander around not advancing on your own before consulting a walkthrough? Is it different depending on what kind of puzzle it is, for example a slider vs. can't locate an item needed?

At what point do you give up on all of it and ask for a saved game?

Ana

I have to be completely and utterly stuck for the next move having thought I've tried everything for me to look at the walkthrough. This is in a situation where I don't know what to do next and no-one will talk to me.
I will work on a puzzle for hours providing I can see what is supposed to happen with it. If I can't see what I'm supposed to accomplish I'll look at just enough of the walkthrough to find out what is expected, then work on solving the puzzle myself.
I've only ever asked for a saved game in the event of a glitch preventing me from progressing or where there is an action sequence involved that I can see after many tries I'm not dexterous enough to succeed (like gathering the sheep in Castle Malloy)

If it is a distinct puzzle - Myst-like, math, codes, maze slider, etc. - I'll hold out as long as possible, leaving it until the next session when I'm fresher. Most often in these cases, I missed a hot spot with pertinent information.
If it is an inventory/dialogue puzzle, I have much less patience, and consult hints just so I don't have to go through all the dialogue again.
If it is dexterity/timed, I give it my best shot, as long as it is easy to get back to the beginning of the sequence. Sometimes it's just a matter of tring it a few times to get quicker at it. Other times it's frustrating and I reach for a cheat or a saved game.
If it is a musical puzzle, I usually end up with a WT, since I'm tone deaf.

I try to solve early puzzles on my own for a long time, because I'm trying to get to know the "mind" that designed the game. I also expect earlier puzzles to be a bit easier, which gives me hope.

If I finally peek at a walkthrough and the solution makes no sense to me, and this is repeated a couple of times, I then tend to refer to the walkthrough after a shorter struggle, because I've lost faith in the game's logic.

I do try first to solve it on my own...

But..If it gets over whelming I then go to the WT...Then if I can't do it even with the WT because its a random puzzle. I will then ask for a save game.

There have been several puzzles I did on my own...I feel so good when I get it by myself

Can you say 'stubborn'? I give it several hours and several tries. After the screaming subsides, I sleep on it. If I still can't figure it out the next day, I go to the walkthrough and read just enough to point me in the right direction. If it requires a fast mouse finger or color matching, I see what needs doing, then enlist the aid of my good friend who will point out the colors or actually do the 'fast' stuff for me. Then I'm back at it. Thank goodness for walkthroughs or I'd never play any games.

It all depends on how much, or how little, I'm enjoying the game. My enjoyment also seems to be tied to the curiosity factor, which will keep me trying longer if I'm curious enough. If I'm happy with the characters (for whatever reason they appeal to me) I will hang in there longer. If I'm really, really, really into a game I will go to Hints rather than a walkthrough. If I'm bored with a game I will use a walkthrough even before I get stuck as I don't want to wander off and discover later that I missed something and have to retrace my steps. I never do saves, I will quit the game instead, but I will try harder with games I like before I give up.

When I first started playing adventure games I never used a walkthrough. I wasn't aware of them online and the strategy guides at Best Buy were wrapped in plastic. Although, I was able to sneak a peek at an opened one of The Dig for one puzzle.

Now however, I'm lazy. Knowing that help is just a click away I tend to look after not too long. Even though it kind of ruins the game for me, I just don't have the patience or maybe the games now don't grab me like they used to and I don't care spend the time on a puzzle...just want to get the game done. Especially if the puzzles in the game don't make sense to the game or feel like filler, which I think is happening more often in games now.

I tend to stick out a game and it's puzzles when the game is more like the older games that I started with.

For me it depends on "tiredness"...both physically and "in the game". Like Becky, I start out determined. I do spend a lot of time looking around, working puzzles, etc. (Just like in Casual Games I look and look forever before giving in to using a hint to find an item.) But sometimes, if I'm tired, been playing a long time, I give in and look early...this is seldom but it does happen. Also if the game gets somewhat boring, then I either say, stop for a few Jody, or to hell with it, look it up.

Mostly I am stubborn...and that is why I look cross-eyed some of the time LOL!

Jody

If I'm playing a game I really, really like, I will be prepared to spend days trying to solve stuff by myself.
If I fail after that, I'll consult a walkthrough.
And if I still can't get past where I am stuck, I'll see if a saved game is available and request it

If it's a game I'm not quite as thrilled about, I will spend maybe a few hours and then consult a walkthrough or request a saved game.

But if it's a game I find I'm definitely not enarmoured of, I won't persevere for very long at all.
I'll just probably go straight to The Trading Post and give someone who might like it more the chance of acquiring it for less

I always try to hold out as long as possible before going to the walkthru. You all know how good it feels when you figure out a hard puzzle. I feel like giving myself a high five when the answer finally clicks in but I also know the frustration level when you are stuck for days and it ruins the fun. Many times if I walk away from the game and come back the next day I find I have a different mind set or I just look at the puzzle from a different point of view that lets me find a solution. Many games I am able to complete without any help at all but other games like Myst or Keepsake I would of saved time by printing out the hints because they were just too hard for me. I had trouble with Myst even with the hint sheet. To this day I still remember how happy I was when I figured out the puzzle in Zak McKracken with the digital audio tape and the globes or using the wanted poster in Monkey Island.

I used to work for hours or days on a game, trying to figure it out. But I guess I am less patient or maybe I have less time now, I will consult the walkthrough far faster. If it is puzzle I enjoy or I am making some progress, I will continue. But if it is something that I know I am no good at, or have no way possible to understand what in the world the creator is wanting me to do, it is walkthrough time. It's not worth the frustration and by the time I work and work at it, I forget the rest of the story!

Koalanut

Days. Until I know defeat.

Hours and hours and days.......

I get really angrey at myself if I have to cheat .I like to do the game on my own but at times I need help and would prefer an hint cause some times you see things you don t want see in a walkthrough if you get my meaning but some times there is some puzzals that do get to you .I hate mazes .Dont mind sliders .I can play with a slider for days lol

I guess it depends on gameplay. If the game is moving along at a good pace and suddenly I get stuck, I'll try and solve it myself with a hint from Gbers. Usually a day or two before I break down for a hint. (I have to be THAT stuck)

But if the game consistently tests my patience , I'll just consult a walkthrough BUT I'll try to read only just what I need to know.

I use the walkthroughs because I want to be able to complete a game in the limited hours that I have for gaming. When I was younger I had more patience and would never give up. It feels like cheating but it is what it is.

Depends - if when rolling out of bed I decide today I'll be a *****, I won't mess with those sticky parts. On the other hand if today I will better myself and resolve to be smarter I will solve them.

Hi, Ana!

It all depends on how much I'm enjoying the game. I've been known to spend days trying to solve a puzzle (the warehouse marble puzzle in "Shivers 2" immediately comes to mind) if I'm really enjoying the game because the feeling of satisfaction is wonderful when you discover you finally did it. If I'm not enjoying the game at all, it's a toss-up between going right to the walkthru or posting a request for help. The walkthru usually wins out !

Susan

I spent daaays working on some of the MYST puzzles.It was very rewarding when the two brain cells clicked,and I got it.I must admit I found UHS hint system after I played MYST.After days working on the celtic tree puzzel on Atlantis 2,I used uhs hints.I will still try my hardest to figure out puzzels, until I find myself totally stumped, and I'm ready to play a different game.Then I will use GB walkthoughs. Thanks MaG. I have had some forhead slapping moments,and then some answers where there was flat NO WAY I would have got that one.I have to tell myself to have patience now a days,since It's easy to look at a walkthrough.

Thanks Dunn

it is very good to keep the brain active so I guess gameing is so good for you

Gaming is great for the synapses, IQ and the brain especially for us oldies. The best thing would be to get young again and game all your life and keep that circulation to the brain. Besides heros like Gerault of Rivia is just a click away. I have it all over old ladies my age. On the con side: If we had games when I was going to school, I wouldn't have made it. I play Zuma and Ricochet every day for a warm up.

Depends on the type of puzzle and how much time I've got to play at that point. If I know it's a math thing I don't even try. If it's mechanical and logical or a visual thing, I might take days to figure it out and then if I finally get bored with it I give up and go to the walkthrough,but I hate having to go there, so try hard not to.
And every time I do go to the walkthrough, I am SOOO Thankful for such great help!!!!

hmm - depends on the kind of puzzle. if it's a timed thing,and i try for one or two sessions and can't get it,then i go to hints. if that doesn' work,then i'll ask for a save. if it's something where i need a pencil and paper to figure out ( math or language ) then i have very little patience with it,and will go to hints or a walkthrough much faster. otherwise, i can be happy trying to work a puzzle through for days. guess it depends on the puzzle and the game...