Using a strategy guide: Does it ruin the game experience?

[Words Of Wisdom]

W29 said:

I'm about to play Final Fantasy XII and I'm really not so good at RPG's like finding little secrets and stuff. Does it ruin the experience or does it help you out?

Play once without any guide/help to savor the game itself and enjoy all the surprises, plot twists, and the like. 

Play again to collect all the fun stuff, do all the sidequests...etc.

Generally works out really well.