Do you use guides to help you in a game?

Only if I feel the need.

I try to get through it myself. But If I get totally stuck, or am trying to do something like "Collect x many of this," I'll use a guide.

If I'm stuck enough that I'm not enjoying a game that I was previously I will, otherwise I don't use them. using a guide from the start subtracts a lot of fun from the game.

Yeah, I use a guide when I have absolutely no idea what it is I have to do. Which doesn't happen as much as it used to. But it still happens from time to time, though.

I have a wife, a job, and a 7 month-old son, so my gameplay time is very limited.  I don't have time for much trial-and-error, and I want to make sure I see everything the game has to offer.

The only time was to find hidden packages, jumps etc. in GTAIII & Vice City.

I would like to see anyone get the pigeons in GTA IV without a guide. I only use guides to find hidden collectibles when I have no idea where they are. Apart from that, I do not touch them.

I sometimes need to use a guide in Zelda to find the pieces of heart.

Only occasionally. It's so much more rewarding figuring it out yourself. I only use them for hidden items, all that jazz.

got a resident evil 5 guidebook which is approx 300 pages long (the book being huge) and found out that not only is it completely useless, it also looks boring with millions of stats and no interesting info about the plot or interviews. It's like i was reading a math book with all the numbers (hits, drops, etc.)

Rarely. The only recent time I can think of is Persona 4's True Ending, because I wouldn't want to settle for anything less with that game.

I don't really like to, but if i'm lost and have no clue what to do next or die fighting the same boss for the 60th time, then I'll hit up a FAQ.

I have used the ones on the team fortress2 page for advices on playing as spys/medics