I think the point here is to solve a puzzle in a game, clues are necessary. Period. or you'll lose your audience.

If whoever wishes to buy the game has to obtain and study a bible to get through the game, well, the outcome is obvious. Especially if the player is of a religeon not consistant with the games requirements.

More generally, if to get through a game you have to study anything outside the game to get through it, it's quite the killer of the momentum, and the fun. The wisest thing to do is to make sure any answers they need are in the game itself. Noone has to be handed the answers, but they should be around if even in the form of clues.

But relying on a persons knowledge of a specific topic is silly unless the game is clearly based on that subject matter. It narrows the customer base to those who would know the answers on that specific topic.

But clues, in my opinion, isnt handing answers to anyone. But it does let the player enjoy the game without frustrating them to the point of quitting.

Jason