RTFM

While most older titles required players to read the manual due to limited tutorialisation, these titles in particular seem to really befuddle modern players, their complaints easily remedied by reading the fucking manual.

Manual includes a partially complete map, guide on how to get to the first dungeon, and explains every enemy and item in the game.
The manual mentions how to paint straight lines more easily for the Power Slash.
One page of the manual is the only indication that enemy weakspots can be targeted for more damage.
No longer comes up due to quest objectives being clearly marked, but quests were pretty easy to figure out if you just read the text.
Inversion: The manual is a hindrance as it was based off of an alpha version.
Some in-game items permanently silence characters when equipped. This is apparent in the items' descriptions.
Dynasty Warriors veterans frequently did not pay attention to the MMO's tutorials, and thus did not understand mechanics like stat upgrades.
Penn plainly tells players that the game's tutorials are not a substitute for reading the manual.
Game cannot be completed without reading the manual as it tells players where the Third Eye is located.
Manual included a piece of paper that had to be dunked in water for a password.
The long jump is never explained in-game, but is in the manual.
The long jump is explained in-game and is now required for some levels but people ignore the tutorial.
The manual explicitly states that the Toads must be rescued to finish the game.
Master System version can only be cleared on a 1CC run, and this is explained in the manual.
Manual states that doing well on missions increases your ship's performance in combat, meaning the end of the game can be monstrously difficult to the uninformed.
Mulana is an anagram of Manual.
Game Boy version's manual explains how to change Daffy's gun, which is required for the second level.
Manual explains the specifics of saving the game.
Manual explains how to recharge spell points without waiting.
Technically all Zachtronics coding games could fit here but TIS-100 and Shenzen I/O in particular require the manual due to their arbitrary languages.
Website told players how to Z-Cancel.
Required for many puzzles.
Obtuse mechanics are explained in included documentation.
Stand in for every fighting game under the sun. Special moves would be either on the cabinet itself or in the manual.
Manual explains how stats work and how to negotiate effectively.

3 Comments


11 months ago

A lot of atari games fit this but the ones I see a lot of people struggle with without the manuals are Haunted House (1982), Riddle of the Sphinx (1982) and ET (1982)

11 months ago

oops didnt even ask if u wanted recommendations! hope its all ok!!

11 months ago

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box has a puzzle that requires you to tear out and fold part of the manual for its solution.


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