But you don't think they would have gotten 800k-1mil if the review scores were even 15-20% higher? (Lair 75% - Haze 85%)

I missed VI when it came out on SNES, lol(beat it twice in recent years). Anyway, yeah, it's awesome. I played VII first, so that skews my opinion.

As for Dead Space, I was/am really excited about the game(as I am LBP, just because I don't fine a particular genre my "favorite" doesn't mean I don't respect quality within it). The XOM review threw me for a loop, but I've decided to discredit it.

I can't afford to buy it, actually, because I have Fable 2 and Fallout 3 prepaid and preordered, so instead I'm renting it on Gamefly. I've had it at the top of my empty queue for weeks, so I should be in the first batch of shipped copies. If I like it enough, I'll buy it, but like I said, I'm kinda broke, so I fully expect a superb rental. I highly recommend the service, since a lot of games out nowadays are ending at around 6 hours. CoD4 is an execption(bought that sucker), but usually a playthrough or two and a sending back of the item is pretty efficient cost wise.

I think it was you that said LBP takes a dump on MGS4. I can't agree with that, because I think the games are like apples and oranges. LBP sure, has more immdiate and long-term fun than MGS4, but MGS4 was also an experience, so it all depends on your perspective(which you fairly indicated). I mean, SMG isn't my target game either, but I bought it day 1, and enjoyed the hell out of it. When I say LBP isn't ever gonna be my "favorite game" that's not taking away from LBP, its just describing my personal tastes.

new review scores put it slightly under Zelda, but i expect the game to average around 95.

Its actually reviewing around where I expected it too. Innovation + great design will pretty much always net a developer 90-100% in most reviews.

LBP>ALL 360 EXCLUSIVES

No.  You're confusing correlation with causation.  You should also consider that:

Someone plays the game before purchasing and forms their own opinion.

Some make purchases based a friend's opinion, rather than a critics.

Someone makes a purchasing decision off of a preview, rather than a review.

Someone makes a purchasing decision based off of an advertisement.

IGN has shown how little their reviews affect sales, I'd dig up the study if I weren't so lazy.  Review scores are mostly for fanboys like us to fight about.

I'd say quality affects sales more than a journalist's opinion of that quality.

Dunno but unlikely

Okami PS2 93% 149k

Okami Wii 90% 124k

Figures... 

 Just go away please.

Says ultimate_123 AKA "LBP will be 65-80 average"

I have Gamefly as well, excellent service I agree. I have Tales of Vesperia and Infinite Undiscovery on the way soon.

Won't rent Fable II though, I may be a bit short on cash but I must own that game, it deserves that much.

As for the LBP/MGS4 comment, I see what you mean with the apples and oranges comment, both are awesome, best in their respective genre in my opinion. Although if I had to just choose one, I would go LBP without hesitation.