Didn't read the whole thread, just the OP.

I have never looked at a review score before buying a game. So how could something I never see stop me from buying a game that looks like I will like it? I don't read reviews because I realise that what I like is usually diffrent from what others like and especially different than what others may be paid to like. The only thing I look for before I buy a game is to see if there are any technical problems that will stop my enjoyment of the game.

This is my general philosophy, but it doesn't sit well with the board as a whole. I discount all reviewers because none have ever shared my, admittedly, bat shit insane taste in games. I still object to the notion that review scores have some intrinsic value that can be brought to others though. Game Informer reviews are great for you, but I laugh my ass off when I read them because of how out of touch they are with my desires.  I think we would agree on this.

I agree.

and that is why review scores should be abolished forcing people to actual read/listen/watch the actual review so they can learn what the reviewer liked and didn't like about the game. rather than looking at an arbitrary number and judging a game, "oh it was a 7 mustn't be very good" when the game is some indi game with poor graphics but amazing gameplay etc. A lot of people would enjoy the game but many like the OP would be turned off by the score and avoid the game to their loss.

I t would seem you have uncovered the worldwide conspiracy, you will be shot for this.

earlier this year, there were articles in two magazines, Game Informer and GAMEPRO magazines, that said the same thing:   Metacritic scores are very important, so important that employees of game developers that they interviewed actually have clauses in their contracts with the game developer that they work for that says that bonuses are directly tied to the Metacritic score of the game they are working on.

And if you look at some people on this website, they treat the day that the Metacritic score of a particular game will be released as just as important as the day the actual game comes out!!

for many people, the metacritic score BECOMES the actual quality of the game!!

word of mouth is far more important than review scores will ever be

I agree that review scores will influence sales. I for one did not get MNR because of its poor review scores. Might grab it once it's at €20 :)