I'm totally with Xav - and I guess the whole Shacknews crew, if it is indeed site policy - when it comes to reviews talking about the experience instead of the technical side.

I don't need to read a review to find out all the gameplay features, or game modes, or technical bullet-points. Tell me what the experience of playing it was like. The emotions, or catharsis, or tension, or just balls-out fun you had playing it.

If you are going to tell me about a new feature, tell me how it alters the experience. For example, on't just tell me Halo: Reach has armor abilities, tell me how they affect the way the action unfolds and why they make the game more fun (or less fun). Use in-game experiences as stories to help me get my head around it if it's easier to explain that way.

The most boring, least informative reviews on the planet are the ones that read like a check-list of graphics, sound, controls, gameplay features, replay value.... ugh. I can read the back of the damn box myself.