Do you think using a guide to complete certain things doesn't let you judge a game fairly?

[Marioro]

I looked up 2 moons I was missing in Cascade Kingdom in Mario Odyssey. Now I won't be able to know how long it would have taken me to find them if I had tried my hardest lol, which means I'll never have the "truest" opinion of the game if I ever discuss it with someone else or if I were to ever review it lol.

 

[Sparks]

I don't blame you. I also had to look up two Moons (one in the Metro Kingdom because it was hidden in the celebration and the their in the Lost Kingdom because I thought the hint art meant the Sand Kingdom).

Sometimes games pull stupid stuff like this. Paper Mario Sticker Star is basically "Look up walkthroughs as you progress: the game". Yikes.

 

[Xiahou Ba]

My stance is the following: if using a guide causes you to enjoy the game more, then go for it. Your time and sanity are precious, and if you decide that you want to find the secret location because it's taking too long to find it, then go for it.

Back in the day before the internet, we would have to use player's guides from magazines such as Nintendo Power and printed out FAQs from GameFAQs for many secrets anyway. I wouldn't have enjoyed Donkey Kong 64 and Paper Mario Sticker Star without the use of guides. Many kids or first-timers playing games need guides to navigate them. Pretty sure most children completed something like Ocarina of Time with guides because it can get a little cryptic at points.

A lot of games can also be ridiculously complex depending on its genre (like many RPGs and strategy games) and practically require the use of guides to understand mechanics better, see games like Civilization, Baldur's Gate, Xenoblade, and so much more.

 

[Salmancer]

I mean, if you consider "spent X amount of time looking" as a breaking point before consulting a guide, then I think noting that "this game doesn't appear to be designed to encourage using external resources but I found myself at the point where I felt I had to" is just as fair as "I spent X+Y amount of time looking for this one collectible."

Loosely related story: In Star Fox 64 3D, I spent so much time looking for the hidden exit of the first level, Corneria, that it diminished my opinion of the game. That's going in the review, because its my experience, even if it isn't an "objective" truth. Really, I should have consulted a guide before that point, and been able to say largely the same thing, without having to pull my hair out to do so.

 

[Hint Toad]

Super Mario Odyssey basically has an in-game guide. (I should know because I'm him) So as long as you looked them up in-game it doesn't really count as cheating.