I really only come here. The mainstream industry in general is only spewing out crap these days, and it makes me sad to read about these "games"...
I never bother reading reviews, since they are generally always worthless. I don't care what some bribed writer wrote about the game. Or even if it is the rare review site where reviews are not purchased, it doesn't affect how good or bad the game is. Forums for mainstream games aren't of much use to me either, since they are either filled with flaming idiots or diehard fanboys... The Shrapnel forums are really a diamond in the rough. Well, there are still the diehard fanboys, but it isn't the arrogant newbie-flaming type.
Demos are the only way to go, and I only try the demos that friends (real life or internet) mention are for good games. So really, just word of mouth... And I never pay any attention to advertisements of any form, as they are the most useless thing of all.
Erm... so I guess that post was completely useless for you. Sorry.