[Bane]

You should never base your game buying decision on a single person except yourself.

In addition to reading the site's official review I also read the user reviews which tend to be a little more helpful. The best opinions are from your "real life" friends as Zoner said, though.

In my case, I usually only buy a game if I have no qualms on plunking down the $$ without even playing it first. Those games are the keepers. If you're reading reviews there is obviously some doubt in you that the game may not be as good as you would hope and you should rent it first. For example, my latest purchase was True Crime: Streets of LA. I bought it without playing it first, without reading any reviews and it fucking rocks! I've no regrets at all for buying it. Other's I've bought this way were Splinter Cell, GTAIII, GTA:VC, DOA3, KotOR, etc.