So lets think few years back...If game got 80 metacritic at Ps1-ps2 and early this generations time, it was sure hit.Even 70-60 sold well/was praised.

Uncharted 1 got 8 from gamespot and Uncharted 2 now gets 9.5.

Expesially now that Uncharted 2 hits 100-95 one after another, I actually felt bad Demon's Souls getting "only" 90 metacritic..

Now people want games that are not only good, but they need to be great.

Uncharted 1 getting 8/10 was a joke.

frankly, the quality of games have been increasing in big titles. Just look at the budget for games. Developers actually want to make good, quality games (in most consoles)

quality is definitely increasing overall I think.. Also consumers are less willing to purchase titles unless they know they're getting their money's worth. I know I am, I don't have the time to waste on a bad game these days.

I agree, reviewers have no problem slapping a perfect score or a 9/10 on a game when it doesn't deserve it (*cough* GTA). But I definitely think Uncharted 2 deserves the scores its getting.

The machine of hype feeds itself, especially as publishers figure out how to manipulate the system in their favor.

Not saying Uncharted 2 is having its scores inflated, but that's the dominant trend for the industry at large.

Are these games worth the high score? That's a better question.

I think it's undeniable that the quality of games has increased.

The scoring is obviously going up. Metacritic already needs a different numbering system to accomodate gaming as opposed to all other types of entertainment they collect reviews for. A magazine that got a bit famous on this site for rewarding Uncharted 2 beyond a perfect score is a big part of the problem. 10's are handed out so frequently for large scale releases that the site felt compelled to go beyond 100% to stand out from the crowd and make this review special. When they wear that score thin and it doesn't have the same effect, they'll probably start making a 15/10 score or something.

depends on how much hype games have nowadays determines most of there scores only a few really deserve this scores others dont (gta4 anybody?)

Why would anyone want to buy a bad game omg?

Only game with rating under 8 I've bought this gen was Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (which I loved!). But when I'm deciding on a new game to get, I double check reviews and score, they are really important for me, since I don't have time to waste over average games.

Hype is not the problem...
Gta IV was reviewd my revievers, they analyze game and then give review for whole picture.They can't review games based on their personal taste.