Hrm. I like to play through a game on my own the first time, but I always go back with a guide the second time, because I get so into advancing the story I usually miss a fair amount of extra stuff.. Totally unlike the way I used to play games xD Back when I first played RPGs (especially Zelda on the N64) my friend and I spent countless hours wandering around doing miniquests and useless things. :P

A late Welcome Back, by the way ^^;