Nice title I laughed a lot. I think the problem with reviews is more about inconsistency and subjective values than high scores. To tell the truth I want higher scores. IMO that movie rating in your post is kinda lame. What is the point of having a 10 point scale if you will never go beyond 8`s. The biggest problem with reviews today is publishers controlling them with ad money. Inconsistency in scores is one of the consequences (however bias and personal tastes also play a big role in inconsistent scores).
Let me rant a little about this subject using some examples. Fire Emblem RD for the Wii got a lot of shit from reviewers, its gameranking average is 78. Among the problems we have the frustrating challenge level, lack of motion sensing controls and dated graphics.
The lack of motion sensing controls is a non issue, it is like docking points from a PS2 game because the R2 and L2 buttons are not used. Motion controls would not improve the game in any way, it would feel tacked on and make it lose even more points.
The challenge issue is kinda funny. Trauma Center New Blood also got a lot of 5`s and 6`s for being way too hard, even though there is an easy setting for both games. On the other hand, some damn hard games like DMC 1/3 and Ninja Gaiden Black enjoy 90+ ratings. Of course they may be better than the other games in the reviewer`s eyes, but my point is that they did not lose points for being near impossible.
The graphic issues is the worst of all. Sure FE RD and TC NB could be done on the Gamecube (graphics wise). However, Disgaea games (awesome BTW) have 85+ scores even though they look just a little better than some PSX games. Even Disgaea 3 on the PS3 got a free pass. FE despite being part of a niche series that was never know for pushing the hardware lost points for being GC like.
A good solution for the reviews would be to offer 2 reviews, one praising the game own merits from someone that like the game and another trashing it or at least providing useful info why people with similar tastes would hate the game. That is why I always use Gamefaqs user reviews to research on new games. I usually read a 10/10 review and a sub 4/10 review to get all the pros and cons of the game. Another reason I prefer user review is due to the fact these guys pay for their games. They can tell us better if the game is woth the full retail price. Anyone would enjoy a 6 hour game without multiplayer if they got it for free and with lots of exclusive collector items.
Satan said:
"You are for ever angry, all you care about is intelligence, but I repeat again that I would give away all this superstellar life, all the ranks and honours, simply to be transformed into the soul of a merchant's wife weighing eighteen stone and set candles at God's shrine."
