I have heard some comments about critics and how they are scoring games (I never did like their scores).

Are todays critics going hard on games?

No, it's about the same as last generation. There are just many more sources of game reviews than there were two generations ago, which is unfortunately grouped together on sites like Metacritic and Gamerankings. People just have a problem with games not receiving scores based on their own opinion of a game but don't realize game reviews can't be everything to everybody because we happen to all have different tastes. Most fans of other mediums usually understand critics are a helping hand but can never mirror your own opinions every time. They just help cut down on trial and error purchasing.

I also gave a 7.5 to R&C and I love platformers. It was a mediocre yet very good looking game. There wasn't much there to get that excited about. For every great aspect (flying in the levels, riding rails), there was an immense letdown (shooting like you're walking through molasses, the absolutely horrific space levels).

I thought the complaint was that too many reviewers are going easy on developers now, and giving out high scores like they're party favors. Why else is any game below 8 now widely considered crap, when in theory an 8 is supposed to be given only to games that really shine?

Hard on games? Hell no they aren't.

A 5.0 should be average. When was the last time a media outlet held to that standard? Today a 7.5 is average.

Which actually makes sense if you think about it. 70% is a "C" grade. I don't mind the numbers (I would eliminate them if possible but that will never happen), just how they're used. Waaaaay too many "B"s getting thrown around at mediocre games and way too many games hitting A-/B+ levels with serious bugs inherent in the gameplay.

no i think many a rewiew is not real but rather what they feel the game should get based upon the amount of hype/junk they received from teh makers

You just have to realize that the game reviewing community is biased towards certain games/genres, much like movie reviewers are biased to some types of movies.

It's not nearly as apparent in movie reviews, though. On top of that, fanboyism isn't encouraged in that media.

Everyone has bias. What a good reviewer does is put that bias to the side and critiques something on its merits. Game reviewers who do that are few and far between.