With every game I will do the same:
I will not look at any instructions until after I play unless I can't figure it out.
If I can't figure it out something new has been implemented and I will look.
I want to experience it the way most players will; they oftentimes do not read instructions in their excitement to play :-)
If you have more than one person mentioning the same thing, perhaps you should listen to player feedback, there are always new players coming to the genres that might need help.