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

[kn]

W29 said:

Soriku said:
Play through it regularly, if you need help then check it out, but don't check out too much.

I'd prefer to play the game with no help if possible. Especially with RPGs since they test your ability to think.

That fustrates the hell out of me! Just playing the game and don't know where to go. It gets boring for me really fast.

W29... It sounds like you are a lot like me in gaming... I prefer a more linear experience as I don't like wandering around and having to figure out what to do next.  I'll lose interest in a game very quickly.  Maybe I have ADD or something, lol, but when reviewers knock a game for being a little too linear, I'm thrilled...  In that sense, I use the guides on games where objectives aren't clear.  I continue to play and try to figure things out on my own but as soon as I feel frustrated, I break out the guide to get the game back on track.