Quite often, key locations in stores are negotiated. Those key locations come at a price. It's not favoritism, it's business.

I remember I played the demo some odd weeks ago, and I had an "on the fence" feeling about the game, so I waited for the IGN review. Sure, the reviewer is a noob at IGN, but he really went in depth with this game in the written review, which is what I look for when I base a game purchase/rental/time  on a review. I liked everything that was pointed out about the game.

 I bought it just yesterday, and I must say the story is getting really really good. The actual gameplay so far isn't stellar because I just started it, but I'm sure it'll pickup within the next 15+hrs of the game.  Do note that I'm not a fan of RPG's, especially not western RPG's, but this RPG is the best one I've played since FF7(still not as good as FF7, though, but what RPG is?). This game really emphasizes story of over gameplay, not to say that the gameplay isn't good.

 I do like the way they implemented the sixaxis into the fighting too. You weaken the monsters, or folks, and take their souls by holding R1 and quickly poping the sixaxis upward. It kinda gets addictive after a while. I haven't gotten far in the game yet, but so far I'm more than pleased of it, so a 9.0 seems like a definite score to me. If you're still on the fence as I was when the demo came out, I'd strongly recommend renting it to clear any doubts.  This game is what an RPG should be, and I really love it. 

I don't think it is getting "system seller" reviews, but it is not getting bomb reviews neither. It will go down as an above average to really good game. Worth buying, and the series will continue in the future.

First off, Folklore is not a Western RPG. Dunno if you knew that but your comment about WRPGs kinda threw me off.

Secondly, around here you're asking for trouble if you say FFVII is the greatest RPG ever. Expect the frothing mouth-breathers to climb out from under their rocks any minute now.

(Since I think I'm the only Gamespot fan here...meh)

GS gave it a 7.0 . It sounds like a game genre fans should enjoy.

I won't say it is the best, but FFVII is definitely my favorite RPG.

Advice to Sony fans from a Nintendo fan:

Never take reviews as gospel. The game journalism business is corrupt and a lot of payola goes on to hype up or hype down certain games. Sometimes they're legit but even if they are, all a review is is one person's opinion on a game. That opinion may not be yours.

Don't get sucked by the tyranny of their numbers. Check the game's concept and test it out for yourself.

Use a review as a guide to purchase never a mandate.

They rated Wii Play low and that's one of the funnest games in my Wii library.

In the end, MY review is the only one that counts. You all should feel the same. YOUR review is the only one that counts.

John Lucas

Good advice. Exactly the reason I love the fact that all these demos come out right onto my system from PSN, none of this bullcrap having to find a promo disc.

Download the demo. Try it. If you like it. Buy it. I'm just waiting to find it laying around somewhere. (I played the japanese demo)

 I think 360 games get better reviews because the 360 caters to people who are likely to buy gaming magazines and read gaming websites. The magazines and websites hire reviewers whose tastes reflect the tastes of their audience. This creates a positive feedback loop that very well may destroy reality one day.

 Game reviews are mostly crap. The reviewers play to their audience and their audience is a collection of idiots who are obsessed with their own maturity while not really knowing what maturity is. My advice to everyone here is this: don't read gaming magazines and try to get your gaming news from smaller gaming websites. It'll make you a better person and it'll make the world a better place.