Choosing a video game strategy reference usually comes down to one question: which guide actually matches the game you're playing and the condition you want? With these four books, the gap is wide-both in price and format. You can spend $4.99 on a Doom 3 PC strategy guide from 2004 or $81.20 on a used Tomb Raider 3 PS1 walkthrough. In between, there's a brand-new hardcover tabletop RPG resource and a very good Prima guide for The Granstream Saga. This comparison walks through each option so you can decide based on your game library, your budget, and how much condition matters to you.
Quick take
If you want a new, substantial hardcover for tabletop RPG planning, go with The Game Master's Book of NPC's, Random Encounters, Traps, Puzzles, and Dungeons at $39.99. If you need a retro PlayStation strategy reference and are willing to pay a premium for a good-condition official Tomb Raider 3 guide, the $81.20 used book is your pick. For Granstream Saga players, the $15.00 Prima guide offers a very good-condition walkthrough at a mid-range price. And if you just want a cheap, complete Doom 3 reference for PC, the $4.99 Prima Official Game Guide is the low-cost option.
Price comparison at a glance
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| The Game Master's Book of NPC's, Random Encounters, Traps, Puzzles, and Dungeons | USD 39.99 | |
| Tomb Raider 3 PS1 Strategy Guide Used Official Game Walkthrough Book | USD 81.20 | |
| The Granstream Saga: Prima's Official Strategy Guide VIDEO GAME walkthrough book | USD 15.00 | |
| Doom 3 Prima Official Game Guide PC Strategy Book id Software 2004 Walkthrough | USD 4.99 |
Decision matrix
| Product | Choose this for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| The Game Master's Book of NPC's, Random Encounters, Traps, Puzzles, and Dungeons | A brand-new hardcover tabletop RPG resource with puzzles, encounters, and dungeon locations | $39.99 is the higher end of this set, and it's not tied to a single video game title |
| Tomb Raider 3 PS1 Strategy Guide Used Official Game Walkthrough Book | An official, good-condition PS1 walkthrough for Tomb Raider 3 collectors | $81.20 is the highest price here |
| The Granstream Saga: Prima's Official Strategy Guide VIDEO GAME walkthrough book | A very good Prima guide for fans of The Granstream Saga | You'll need to want that specific game; it's not a general reference |
| Doom 3 Prima Official Game Guide PC Strategy Book id Software 2004 Walkthrough | A budget PC reference covering Doom 3 levels, secrets, and cheats | Condition is Good, with the listing noting edge wear and corner scuffing |
Product notes
The Game Master's Book of NPC's, Random Encounters, Traps, Puzzles, and Dungeons
At $39.99, this brand-new hardcover is the most versatile reference here, but only if your play focuses on tabletop RPGs like fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. The book brings together traps, puzzles, encounter locations, and one-shot campaigns, with illustrated maps and dungeon ideas. It's a fresh copy from Jeff Ashworth, part of The Game Master series, so it's ready for heavy use. The limitation: it's not a video game walkthrough, so if you're looking for step-by-step level maps for a specific console title, this won't do that. Choose it when you want a durable planning resource rather than a one-game guide.
Tomb Raider 3 PS1 Strategy Guide Used Official Game Walkthrough Book
This is the high-price pick at $81.20. It's a used official walkthrough for Tomb Raider 3 on PS1, listed in Good condition. If you collect PlayStation 1 strategy guides and want an official English-language book for that specific game, this is the one to consider. The title is straightforward: walkthrough book, used, official. The limitation is the price and the condition. You're paying a significant premium compared with the other guides in this set, and because it's used, the exact page state isn't described beyond Good. It's a collector's purchase rather than a budget way to learn the game.
The Granstream Saga: Prima's Official Strategy Guide VIDEO GAME walkthrough book
At $15.00, this is a middle-ground option for anyone playing The Granstream Saga. The guide is from Prima Games and listed in Very Good condition. The description frames it as a walkthrough for the Granstream Saga series, so it's aimed at that specific game rather than a broad reference. That's the strength: if you've got the game and want a dedicated companion, this guide is inexpensive and in solid shape. The limitation is that it's niche. It won't help you with other titles, and the format is described only as "Other", so you're buying it for the game-specific content, not a generic strategy manual.
Doom 3 Prima Official Game Guide PC Strategy Book id Software 2004 Walkthrough
At $4.99, this is the lowest-priced option in the group and an easy budget pick for Doom 3 on PC. The Prima guide was published in 2004 and includes a level-by-level walkthrough, locations for secrets and the BFG, single-player maps, multiplayer hints, weapon stats, and cheat codes. It's listed in Good condition, and the description notes minor edge wear and corner scuffing on the cover. So you're getting a lot of content for a low price, with the caveat that the cover shows signs of use. If you need a Doom 3 reference and don't want to spend much, this is your guide.
Final recommendation by use case
- For tabletop RPG planning and a brand-new hardcover: The Game Master's Book of NPC's, Random Encounters, Traps, Puzzles, and Dungeons.
- For retro PS1 collection and you're comfortable with the high price: Tomb Raider 3 PS1 Strategy Guide.
- For The Granstream Saga specifically: The Granstream Saga: Prima's Official Strategy Guide.
- For a low-cost Doom 3 PC walkthrough: Doom 3 Prima Official Game Guide.
