and to me. but i don't think anyone who claims to disagree must have some ulterior motive. that's all. that's the crap that bothers me, and if anyone reading this isn't doing that, then guess what, i'm not talking about you.
Critiquing is hard.
Siskel said he didn't like Predator because it's a clone of Rambo. But hell, it IS and for every intent wanted to represent that genre.
If Mario Kart comes out, do you ask the avid Mario Kart lover to review it, or do you get some FPS-loving console-only gamer to give it a fresh look. How can you be perfectly objective when reviewing art?
It is hard where being a fan comes into play. How did all of the new star wars films get 'fresh' on rotten tomatoes? People are star wars fans. In video games there are more fans than ever, so it becomes difficult when you have to look at the reviewer and their tastes.
I won't lose any sleep over a 5/10, he is entitled to his opinion, but he clearly is not a fan or Mario Kart (or perhaps Nintendo at all). Was he the right one for the review?
I don't think art critique will ever be solidified. It's based far too much on personal experience. Had that 5/10 reviewer had 3-4 friends who loved Mario Kart and avidly played every entry in the series with him, his experience would have been better.
Hell, I've played Smash Bros. with people who hate it, won't play it, don't get it. Likewise, I've sunk hours into it with people who consider it a classic. My experience differed greatly with both entry. I hated pokemon up until all my friends started playing and we all became competetive.
....I've written too much here. There is simply no right answer.