M$ paid for the review in some manner I'd imagine... that's what companies do when something somewhat blows to cover their tracks. Hype, go covert, then bulk sale up front since returns aren't allowed...make cash and run.

My advice. Gamefaqs and Gamerankings.com's 'USER' reviews. That and take a look at the full range of reviews on a game, if you know one is suspect like Halo2, find the 3 worst and see what they rip on, then take an average between the hyped highend ones.

That's worked enough for me in the past, but best is the user reviews because those poor bastards bought it and learned the hard way (financially and time) one way or the other.