Sorry to drudge up an old topic, but the recent waves of reviews for Modern Warfare 3 and Assassin's Creed Revelations are a perfect example of why review scores and metacritic averages are ABSOLUTELY MEANINGLESS

The complaints against both these games are exactly the same. Both franchises release every year, and the latest entries feel too similar to the last game. The only question is whether fans still like the formula, or are invested enough of the gameplay (be it multiplayer, or the action/adventure/stealth/free-roam hybrid in AC).

Yet, the same complaints earn MW3 scores of 8s and 9s, while AC gets 7s and 8s? Huh? It makes no sense, especially when you consider the context of each game - Modern Warfare 3 is another shooter in a crowded genre. Outside of Batman: Arkham City (maybe), AC is the only game that offers it's brand of gameplay.

This is why I ignore review scores. I find editors with opinions I trust, listen to friends, and check the general consensus from large groups of gamers on forums and twitter, then make the final call for myself.

The numbers are meaningless.