Formatted Guides vs Text Guides

I'm most likely going to try to write a formatted guide for my next project for GameFAQs. I'm very curious to see what people think about Formatted FAQs on GameFAQs. Here is an example of a formatted guide from a great FAQ author. I've been experimenting and I think I understand all the mark-ups for the proper formatting. It will all be new to me, but I think it will actually be easier. Since I can take pictures of games, I'll add pics to the formatted guides also.

I plan to write for Batman: Arkham Origins later this year and I want it to be my first formatted FAQ. I'm considering making up both a formatted version for GameFAQs and a text version for others sites. So that way, readers can have a choice. I think you'll like the formatted version once I'm through with it though!

I have a poll to the side about this. If you vote then be sure to comment and let me know what you think about formatted FAQs. I'd love to hear it!

Personally, I didn't like the look of the formatted FAQs from the start, but I'm starting to see the advantages that they have. They do have some disadvantages though - it just seems like you can have heavier formatting in a text FAQ. Those of you that read my work know that I go heavy on formatting at times. Haha. But I do see that formatted FAQs can be much cleaner and you can get to the point faster in them.

Poll #9 - When playing an Xbox 360 game, how important are each game's Achievements to you?

I've always found the Achievement system for the Xbox 360 to be quite addicting but I really only try for the Achievements in a game that I truly love. I really like it when a game has some fun Achievements to accomplish, such as Dead Rising's achievements or Condemned's achievements. Many people might look on my gamer profile and think that I played Bee Movie just for achievements, but really *looks cautiously* I enjoyed that game.

Anyway, what do you think of the Xbox 360's Achievement system? Will you play a game to simply boost your gamer score, are they fun but not all that important to accomplish, or do you even care about them?

Poll #8 - How far have you made it in the Bloody Palace survival mode in DMC4?

So up to last night I had only made it up to about Stage 27 in Bloody Palace. I never really had experimented that much with Nero's level 3 charge blast outside of shooting Mephistos, Fausts, and Blitzs, but I decided to change the button layout a bit just to see how well the level 3 charge blast worked on other enemies in Bloody Palace. When I reached Stage 40 I was more than conviced that it was helpful - I had to turn it off and leave then though.

Later last night, I decided to play Bloody Palace again with Nero just to experiment with some stuff and before I knew it, I was up in the 60 range of stages. I decided to continue just to see how far I could make it. Credo almost stopped me on Stage 80 - literally one more hit and I would have been defeated as I defeated him. Fighting two Blitz wasn't really that bad with Nero and the armada of Angelos on Stage 99 was fairly easy. Dante on Stage 101 was pretty scary, especially since I had almost lost sanity by then, but I managed to beat him to complete Bloody Palace.

With Nero's charge blast on constant charge, I didn't even really need Exceed moves. Level 3 Ex Streaks helped out some, but the level 3 charge blast was the main savior for me. That move is way too useful.

So, how far have the rest of you made it?

Poll #7 - What are your favorite Devil Arms in the Devil May Cry series?

Personally I enjoy Agni & Rudra, Lucifer, Red Queen, and Yamato.

Agni & Rudra is plain fun to use! Dante could be extremely agressive with those blades in DMC3. Besides Nevan, Lucifer is the most unique weapon I have seen - I still haven't been able to play with it a bunch though. Red Queen's Exceed system is excellent once you get used to it - I'll have up a little something about this in a few days. From Vergil's use of it, Yamato's speed and reach was the main aspect that I enjoyed about that particular weapon. I liked its overall power also depending on the attack used - Judgement Cut, Aerial Rave.

Poll #6 - Did you preorder Devil May Cry 4? Collector's Edition or normal version?

I decided to preorder the PS3 Collector's Edition at Best Buy and I preordered the normal Xbox 360 version from Gamestop.com since they are giving a free artbook along with a purchase.

I might break that preorder at Best Buy if one of the other stores offers some kind of bonus item. I'm such a sucker for anything free along with a game.

I actually preordered Resident Evil 4 three times in order to get more extras when it was first released for GC - got a T-shirt, miniartbook (actually a mini-strategy guide), a "Making of RE4" DVD, and of course the Gamestop Collector's Edition.

Poll #5 - How do you intend to play your Devil May Cry 4?

So starting next month Devil May Cry 4 will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360, which one will you buy, if any?

For myself, I can't decide between the two, so I'm going to get both of them most likely. I'll probably get the Collector's Edition for PS3 then get the normal Xbox 360 release. I want the PS3 release because I'm more familiar with that controller when it comes to Devil May Cry and I would like to have the 360 release for the extra achievements that will be included with it. I guess I'm just greedy and want it all - story of my life actually.

Poll #4 - Game of the Year?

Well, I must say, it has been one fantastic year for gaming so far. Have you even been able to play all the games that you were wanting to from the vast majority that is flooding the market at the moment? I haven't myself... But anyway, out of the ones that you have played, what's your own personal game of the year?

I would probably pick The Orange Box if I had bought it this year, but right now I have to give it to God of War II. I beat that entire game in one sitting on my first time through. I feel it was one of the most epic games I have played in quite a while and it stole many hours of my life. I even went through Titan Mode twice.

Assassin's Creed is a great experience so far but I find myself taking short breaks from it (like right now) to play other games (like VF5 and SH: Origins), Metroid Prime 3 really made me love my Nintendo Wii, and, as already mentioned, Virtua Fighter 5 is still being played as we speak, but God of War II still comes out ahead.

Poll #3 - Which current console have you gotten the most gameplay out of this year?

In all honesty, I think it is a tie between the PS2 and Wii for me, but as the year progresses, I think I will be playing the Wii just a bit more than the PS2 for this year. PS2 has no new games that I am expecting to play either.

The Wii's control scheme is so fantastic when you feel the need to lie down and play a game casually no matter what game that may be. I always sit to the side of my TV and I can just lie there and use the Wii-mote just like if I was directly in front of the TV.

Concerning the X360, I tend to be very picky over the games that I play and the X360's game lineup just doesn't interest me that much this year for the most part. With the more recent games that I've played, I'm more addicted to gaining their Achievements than I am on actually completing the game for enjoyment. Not that that's bad, just noticeable.

Poll #2 - Upcoming Games

Quite a few interesting games will be released within the coming months. Which ones are you planning on picking up?

Here's my thoughts on the game's listed in the poll:

-- Assassin's Creed

I'm interested in this, but I'll only get it if I have enough when it is released. Really I could see myself doing without this game for this year. I'm a little undecided at the moment.

[ ] Buy [X] Maybe [ ] No Buy

-- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

War games are not my cup of tea.

[ ] Buy [ ] Maybe [X] No Buy

-- Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

From the moment it was announced, I have planned on picking this up. A Dracula X 3-D remake, the original Dracula X, and a (supposedly) enhanced Symphony of the Night. What's not to love if you're a Castlevania fan?!

[X] Buy [ ] Maybe [ ] No Buy

-- Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings

Even though I love FFXII a bunch, I probably won't be picking this up.

[ ] Buy [ ] Maybe [X] No Buy

-- Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

It's hard not to get this since I absolutely love the original FFT. I'm still deciding on this one.

[ ] Buy [X] Maybe [ ] No Buy

-- Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

No PS3 and also I don't really like the Ratchet games that much from what I've played of them.

[ ] Buy [ ] Maybe [X] No Buy

-- Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles

Partially the reason why I bought the Wii. All other games will be put aside when this is in my Wii console. An extremely positive buy.

[X] Buy [ ] Maybe [ ] No Buy

-- Silent Hill Origins

A definite buy. I haven't watched too many trailers for this so it will be all new to me. I just hope that the lack of a second analog doesn't mess up the experience of the game. I have a feeling that it won't, but you never know.

[X] Buy [ ] Maybe [ ] No Buy

-- Super Mario Galaxy

If I do buy another Wii game this year then it will most likely be this, but at the moment I don't plan on buying it.

[ ] Buy [X] Maybe [ ] No Buy

-- Super Smash Bros. Brawl

I'm not much of a fan of multiplayer games, I guess since I don't have many people to play games with, but even if I did, I still prefer a single player experience over all else, so Brawl doesn't interest me that much. I still haven't played Super Smash Bros. Melee yet.

[ ] Buy [ ] Maybe [X] No Buy

-- Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

Before playing Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, this release didn't even cross my mind. After playing Dark Mirror, I would love to try this out if I have the extra money to afford it (while still holding onto enough for the main games that I want). The story to this one looks very interesting judging from the trailers that I have seen.

[ ] Buy [X] Maybe [ ] No Buy

-- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

To be honest, I am tired of Zelda games. Twilight Princess was great, but they just don't interest me like they used to. I actually enjoyed Wind Waker more than Twilight Princess, so Phantom Hourglass may be somewhat enjoyable, but I'd rather just skip it.

[ ] Buy [ ] Maybe [X] No Buy

-- The Orange Box [Half-Life 2]

I heavily enjoyed Half-Life 2 on my first time through and this is really one of the best $60 buys that I see for the 360 this year, but then there's Virtua Fighter 5 there too, and I want to make sure to have enough cash for that. I may try to get this later in the year though, but not on release date.

[ ] Buy [X] Maybe [ ] No Buy

-- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

If I had a PS3 then I would be excited about this game. It looks really fun and it's from the makers of the Jak and Daxter series, which I enjoyed quite a bunch!

[ ] Buy [ ] Maybe [X] No Buy

-- Virtua Fighter 5

I must have this. I wanted it during the summer when it was delayed and I still want it just as bad right now. This game needs to release so I can satisfy my fighting game needs. It needs to release now.

[X] Buy [ ] Maybe [ ] No Buy

EDIT: Forgot to list Mass Effect (X360) on the poll and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii) for the Europe readers.