It is true sometimes but generally no. An example where hype and such lead to higher score would be a game like GTA4, but the opposite can be true. I think the 10 years and tons of hype hurt say FF15. Had SE announced it for the 1st time in E3 16, it not had multiple demos and such reviewers would not have nitpicked it as much, ya 81 is not a bad score, but a lesser known game of the same quality would have received better reviews.
The games with the most inflated scores tend to be that have little hype and are pleasant surprises. Like Diablo for consoles. No one expected it to translate so well to console, and reviewers overlooked a lot because it was simply much better than they anticipated. Or Tomb Raider 2013, the game is pretty solid, but it was much better than any other Tomb Raider since the PSX days they gave it better scores than it deserved.
Gamers do the same thing. A over hyped game that is actually pretty good gets dumped on because it failed to meet their expectations, but then they praise a suprise game to no end even though side by side the overhyped game is better as a game.
End of 2009 Predictions (Set, January 1st 2009)
Wii- 72 million 3rd Year Peak, better slate of releases
360- 37 million Should trend down slightly after 3rd year peak
PS3- 29 million Sales should pick up next year, 3rd year peak and price cut
