" If you’re not doing it entirely by the book you may have a hell of a time figuring out where you are. "

      Title: Onimusha: Warlords- Official Strategy Guide by Brady Games

      Format: PS2 Hint Book

      Reviewing Monkey: Dungapult

      The Hype: Anyone who doesn’t like wasting hours on end walking in circles knows that hint books are must-haves for puzzle games (like Onimusha). So, as the "Official Strategy Guide" how does this one stack up? You will soon know.

      What This Monkey Thought...

      Layout: Overall, this one is laid out pretty damned well and…most importantly…logically. The book starts with some general tips and hints, moves on to an overall beastiary and equipment list, then goes into a nice, standard walk through…Which is chalk full of full color pictures. Nice. 5 out of 5

      Usefulness: Personally, I lack the patience to stumble my way through puzzle games on my own. There’s just something about having to visit and re-visit the same damned place a million times that bores and frustrates me. With that in mind, then- this strategy guide was a godsend. Don’t know where the massively obscured triple hidden key is? That’s okay…Look in the book. 5 out of 5

      Desired Content: With the single exception of cheats, it had everything I wanted and more. So that’s good. What’s bad is that the walk through is in a wee fonted description narrative (and now you go up there to do this, and then run back down stairs to do that), which means if you’re not doing it entirely by the book you may have a hell of a time figuring out where you are. The description also doesn’t correspond to the map that much, so once you’re stuck you can look forward to reading the entire walk through chapter. And, since that’s the thing you’ll use most often, it can get to be very annoying. 3.75 out of 5

      Accuracy: Now, here’s a question…it’s the "Official Strategy Guide," right? So, can some one please explain to me why there are so g’damned many errors?!? It’s one thing if the company writing the book is on the outside…trying to hack their way through like you are. But, theoretically, this was made with Capcom’s help. So I’m just confused… 3 out of 5

      The Verdict:

Overall, a good hint book with everything you need. I, personally, wouldn’t dream of owning the game without it

      The Good: Inclusive, pretty, and well laid out.

      The Bad: A pain in the ass narrative walk through and far too many inaccuracies.

      The Overall Ugly: Worth having, despite any annoyances.

      What it's Worth: Market.