Next week, we will focus on a topic near and dear to my heart...NINJAS.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ninja_in_Edo_Wonderland.jpg
I promise I will focus on a more "serious" topic after next week.
Showing posts with label Video Game Guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Video Game Guide. Show all posts
Friday, April 15, 2011
Video Game Guides
So our week of video game guides concludes. Granted, the week focused mostly on free, online services produced by companies. Please be aware of many, equally useful fan-based wiki sites, such as Halo Nation, Bulbapedia, Mass Effect Wiki, and Super Mario Wiki. Still, with growing interest in video games and increasing strain on budgets, users may find such resources useful.
Next week, we will focus on a topic near and dear to my heart...NINJAS.
Next week, we will focus on a topic near and dear to my heart...NINJAS.
GameFAQs.com
Plot: Much like IGN Guides, the website offers news, guides, screenshots, and boards about various video games. The games can be found through the "Search" bar or by browsing through systems. Also, the main page offers a daily poll, links to the most recent guides, and a list of the day's most popular game guides and boards.
Genre: Video Game Guide
Reading Level: It is a website aimed at multiple tastes and reading levels with active boards. Use courtesy and common sense.
Similar Titles: IGN Guides
Personal Thoughts: The librarian in me prefers the low-frills, user-friendliness of GameFAQs to the image-oriented, navigationally-complex IGN Guides. However, the actual guides are similar (if not occasionally identical) to each other. As such, individual users must select their own preferences.
IGN Guides
Plot: An extensive website about video games and video game guides. A dropdown menu at the top of the main page allows viewers to browse various systems. Additionally, users can access a "Search" option to find information on specific games. The colorful graphics are eye-catching, the information is reliable, and the board is interesting.
Genre: Video Game Guides
Reading Level: Most of the website is pretty user-friendly, but, like most websites dealing with multiple age groups, approach with caution, particularly when utilizing the boards.
Similar Titles: GameFAQs.com
Personal Thoughts: Personally, the graphics tend to be more of a distraction than an assist. Still, the site offers good information, particularly concerning news about new or upcoming games.
I think I tried to move Toothless a little early. Oh well.
Serebii.net
Plot: A fan-based website consisting of extensive information. Guides are arranged by game, although some specific guides, such as the Itemdex (which lists items available in the games), span multiple titles.
Additionally, the site offers information about the anime, manga series, movies, and spin-off games (such as the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon and Pokemon Ranger series).
Genre: Video Game Guides
Reading Level: While most of the information pages are civil, the site offers forums. The forums are moderated pretty well, but, like all forums, some language manages to sneak in on occasion. Additionally, to use the forums, personal information such as e-mail address and name must be provided, so adults may wish to be involved.
Similar Titles: Bulbapedia, Pokemon.Marriland.com
Personal Thoughts: One of my favorite video game websites. This is an example of a fan-based site providing information more rapidly than the official sites. A good alternative to expensive printed guides, although it does not offer the maps or art present in official resources.
Pokemon.com
Plot: The Pokemon website offered by Nintendo. The site includes online games, news, links to specific games, anime information, and card game updates.
Genre: Video Game Guides
Reading Level: Much like the games, the website is for everybody. That said, to use the "Pokemon Trainer Club", users will need to provide personal information such as Country and Date of Birth, so parental units may wish to get involved.
Similar Titles: Serebii.net, Bulbapedia
Personal Thoughts: While the website is attractive and useful, it does not really offer game guides. Rather, it provides game information, such as availability, events, and products. While this is very useful information, it does not help the player against the Elite Four.
Nintendo Official Guides
Plot: Generally, these video game guides exemplify ideal information in print. The books offer general tips, maps, and advanced strategies, but also manage to avoid most major plot spoilers. Additionally, official art typically decorates the pages, creating eye-catching but professional formats.
Genre: Video Game Guides
Reading Level: Typically, the guides follow the kid-friendly format Nintendo is famous for. However, just the guides' appropriateness for all readers does not necessarily extend to the games they represent. Remember to check ESRB folks!
Similar Titles: Playstation Official Guides, Prima Guides
Personal Thoughts: Nintendo really knows how to produce attractive and useful video game guides. However, most libraries do not carry them. Contrary to popular belief, though, most librarians do not have a problem using video game guides in their collection. Video games information is still information, and most libraries feel, if nothing else, a professional interest in providing information. So the issue is not with "libraries should be about books, not technology/entertainment/kid stuff." Rather, other factors prevent guide collections. Simply put, guides are temporary. Most video game systems only last half a decade. Additionally, games change or loose popularity fairly quickly. When a library is strapped for resources, they need to focus on items with long-term use. Still, libraries can offer video game information without necessarily purchasing $18-$24+ guides. Online resources may be an ideal method for doing so.
Side note: I like Pokemon. Can you tell?
Friday, February 4, 2011
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn (Prima Official Game Guide)
Plot: A game guide for Golden Sun: Dark Dawn for the Nintendo DS. The book provides maps, insights, and tips for the widely-anticipated game (the previous incarnation was published about seven years ago).
Genre: Video Game Guides
Reading Level: The game is rated E10+
Similar Titles: The Prima game guide collection
Personal Thoughts: The guide is useful, but has room for improvements. The maps clearly note locations of important items and offer much-needed guidance through the complex dungeons of the game. However, the guide also consists of many spoilers (excessive notes about the plot) and notes on all encyclopedia entries. While the entries are useful, particularly to series newcomers, they do not assist with game completion. Notes on move availability or class statistics would be much more beneficial. So, while it provides useful guidance, it could offer more.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks: The Official Prima Guide
Plot: A guide to Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the Nintendo DS. When Cole betrays Princess Zelda, a young engineer named Link springs into action to assist the princess. Unlike previous incantations of the Zelda series, players also control Zelda to stop evil forces from taking over the land. Includes maps, item descriptions, enemy guides, and force gem locations. Like most Prima Guides, the book includes official illustrations and character art. Also comes with a map showing secret train routes and rabbit locations.
Genre: Video Game Guide
Reading Level: The game is rated E10+
Similar Titles: The game is a direct sequel to Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Personal Thoughts: What? I wanted to review books that would appeal to tween boys this week. Tween boys like video games. It's that simple. I'm just following the trend. It's not like I purchased the guide at a 15% discount at my favorite video game store after I bought one of the best games of the year for the really cool electric blue DS Lite my family got me for Christmas. It's all about being a professional librarian and providing the best information I can on a variety of resources.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a dungeon to conquer.
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