I never said movie or book reviewers hand out the highest ratings frequently.  I simply stated that other types of reviewers do hand out the highest ratings.  I've read many four star movie reviews and five star book and restaurant reviews. 

You and I are actually talking about different things.  My point was that a 10, just like a four star movie review need not be reserved for perfection.  You're talking about the fact that 10s are being handed out right and left (i.e. a frequency issue) therefore watering down the impact of a 10.  I actually agree with you on that point. 

At this point, none of us have played the game.  Maybe it deserves the 10 or maybe it's receiving a 10 because of the hype machine you describe.  Right now we don't know.  Maybe the game will blow all of us away.  If so, I think a 10 is approprate.  How can we pre-judge? 

We can't. We must play the game ourselves to see if it deserves a perfect 10/10.

it a playstation magazine so it not bias right

I understand what you mean and respect your position.  After all, the phrase is "perfect 10."  However, wherever judgment is involved perfect marks are given in the absence of true perfection.  Other examples exist is sports.  Skaters, gymnists, divers are given perfect scores when minor flaws can be detected in their performances.  There are really many examples of this. 

You have a purist type of view and from a purely philosophical perspective you're probably correct -- 10s and 100% = perfection.  However, since there are many areas where perfect scores are handed out in the absence of true perfection, I'm not sure I see the justification for holding video games reviews to a higher standard.

Again, I'm not addressing the fact that there appears to be a rash of 10s handed out lately.  That's a different issue altogether.      

In gymnastics,and all judged sports, perfect 10's are given out rarely if ever. If you watch the olympics you will see what I mean.

I do see what you mean and edited my post to add a line at the end.  On the frequency issue you and I are in agreement.

Every review is based on opinion. Its not a fact that MGS4 is a perfect game, its just that they think its a perfect game.

off topic

After digging up some info on MGS4 including the ending(Sunny Wow) it will shock even the most hardcore fans of MGS4. I think its the first time i've ever read of a video game end like that (if its true).

Alright poppy. Good discussion. I'm going to take off. You understand my point then. I'm just saying WAY too many 10's are being given out that's all. I'm just saying that it makes you not take the 10 as seriously.

#1 I didn't say that 5 games of OoT quality had came out, hence why I called it a hypothetical. #2 I never called you a Nintendo fanboy, I just used OoT because before GTAIV, it was heralded as the greatest game of all time, and just happens to be a Ninty game. (Didn't use GTAIV because it's under scrutiny...because people still want OoT to be considered the best)

@elnino

You took the words right out of my mouth. If every new game had to be "revolutionary" then we'd have so many ridiculous genres of games that it wouldn't be gaming anymore....we'd get stuff like Wii Fit all the time . I guess this may seem like an attack on Nintendo now, but damnit, it's true. Nobody complains when Ninty games get 10s, yet they've used the same Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong, Smash Brothers, Mario Kart, etc formulas for YEARS (or they were at least "evolutionary" steps for each iteration), and they are STILL fun games! That's all that should matter when scoring games. Like Chronotrigger said, if you play a game, thoroughly enjoy it, and look back and say "Wow, I enjoyed that experience in every aspect" then that's the only factor in determining a "10" game

HAHAHA! This got me thinking.....2000 Dunk Contest...Vince Carter.