It sounds like a weird question, and I'm sure a lot of you are wondering "Who the hell uses print guides? Gamefaqs exists for a reason!" But it's a legit question for anybody who still uses those old fashioned books. Do you guys feel that Europe has better guides than us? Either because they have better companies or because the writers put more time into them? I know a few people who really don't like Prima and Brady, so they definitely have some faults in their work. However, I really hear no negativity towards Piggyback, a Euro guide publishing company that is piggy backing Prima's American distribution routes. Their guides tend to be top notch, whether it's those CE hardcovers like for MGS4 or RE5, or simple guides like for Tomb Raider Legend and Underworld.
And just more recently, Future Press has gone to great lengths to impress me. I'm sure you guys know Bayonetta got released in January. Well it took 2 months for them to release their Bayonetta guide (CE, Europe only). And you know what, it's AMAZING! The guide covers so much, has interviews, concept art.... Simply flawless. Plus, it's HUGE! The second biggest guide in my collection, just 7 pages shorter than the Twilight Princess CE. And guess what, they didn't even couldn't put into print. Within the guide, there are codes so you go to their website and view videos of how to complete certain parts of the game for added clarity! GODDAMN!
I have no problem with a guide being released late when it comes with that quality. But then I see American guides that seem forced out just to make the release date, or guides with false info. Brady was supposed to release a Bayonetta guide here in the states but it got delayed and silently cancelled. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that their guide would not have had the dedication Future put in theirs, and would have flopped if they released it late.
So... am I the only one with this point of view? Maybe some European CAGs might be able to shed more light on this? For all I know, Future and Piggyback might be the cream of the overseas crop. Their version of our late Versus Books.
And just more recently, Future Press has gone to great lengths to impress me. I'm sure you guys know Bayonetta got released in January. Well it took 2 months for them to release their Bayonetta guide (CE, Europe only). And you know what, it's AMAZING! The guide covers so much, has interviews, concept art.... Simply flawless. Plus, it's HUGE! The second biggest guide in my collection, just 7 pages shorter than the Twilight Princess CE. And guess what, they didn't even couldn't put into print. Within the guide, there are codes so you go to their website and view videos of how to complete certain parts of the game for added clarity! GODDAMN!
I have no problem with a guide being released late when it comes with that quality. But then I see American guides that seem forced out just to make the release date, or guides with false info. Brady was supposed to release a Bayonetta guide here in the states but it got delayed and silently cancelled. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that their guide would not have had the dedication Future put in theirs, and would have flopped if they released it late.
So... am I the only one with this point of view? Maybe some European CAGs might be able to shed more light on this? For all I know, Future and Piggyback might be the cream of the overseas crop. Their version of our late Versus Books.
