CrazyHorse on 09 March 2010
I think most of these problems with reviews can be resolved by the individual themselves if they actually read the review and don't just take the score at face value. Like you mention in the OP, Western reviewers appear to have criticised FFXIII for its linearity and this is reflected in the score. If however you read the reviews (in most cases anyway) it becomes clear that they rest of the game was very good (gameplay, story ect) and so if linearity doesn't matter to you then you should find the game even better than the reviewer did. If you simply use to reviews to help inform you about a game and then apply what is said to your own expectations and preferences there shouldn't be a problem.
