[gregebowman]

I'll read a review and decide whether I want that game or not. But sometimes, no matter what, I just have to have that game (or expansion set, like the Play the World for Civ3). Sometimes I want the game and the hardware requirements are too much. Even though I got an upgraded computer, there are still a couple of games I can't play. Not much I can do about that but hope to win the lottery and get a new computer. But word of mouth (or posting?) is good too, unless it's from a store salesman who's just trying to get you to buy a game. Just recently, i bought Hearts of Iron, which got a good review but the reviewer said it was a very complex game and not for a casual war gamer. But I took the plunge after the game went down in price and found it a very good game, but still complex. Thank God for the forum board.