If I wanted a site that gave better reviews based for sufficient compensation, I'd have gone to IGN.

I am wary, to say the least, of the overall rise in ratings on Gamespot since the departure of Jeff Gerstmann. I love gamespot and have been coming here for my gaming updates for 6 years, but I've noticed alot of 9.5's and 10.0's recently associated with big name titles. MGS4 and GTA IV both getting 10's, and a host of games getting 9.5's seems to me to indicate, not only less thought on the rating scales and more thought on final ratings, but also a disturbing rise in ratings. 10's and 9.5's? Good games get 9.0 and 8.5s. What happened to 9.6 or 9.3?

For example, great games used to get varied scores: God of War II -- 9.3, Half Life 2 -- 9.2, Halo 2 -- 9.4, MGS3 -- 9.6. No even scores, no 10.0's. There was always one factor that brought down the score of a game. I have a harder time trusting their reviews now.

It seems that the trend now is to cushion one's ratings in order to gain favor from game companies in ad placements and "exclusive reviews." At least Gamespot hasn't stooped to IGN's level in that regard. Whoever heard of an exclusive early review granted to a company? Exclusive previews, sure, but reviews?

Anyways to rap it up:

I was originally attracted to Gamespot because it had frank and honest ratings. I hope they prove me wrong in the future.