I usually pre-order if there is some incentive attached to the game. Amazon has been getting the majority of my pre-orders with all the gift credit and bonuses they add onto the games. I both love and hate Amazon for taking my money...
It depends. If I have a lot of faith in the developers and am really hyped up for the game I will usually preorder but if I am unsure I will wait for a demo. Reviews I don't really trust much.
I like to hear critics opinions, but they dont always steer me away from a game. I usually only go by rating if its a new IP that looks Iffy. If it's a new IP that looks fun like Bionic Commando for instance for the 360 and PS3 or Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for the PS3 360 and Wii(Both didn't receive very good criticism, Bionic Commando getting it the worst, SWTFU gettting mixed reviews) then I usually buy it If I know I'm gonna enjoy itregardless what people say or how bad I get flammed for playing it. Most of the time critics are way off when it comes to certain games especially movies. I always say people have different opinions on what they like and you can't let their influence decide for you. So either alwayscheck somethingout for yourself (Rent, Borrow) or go by your gut and decide if its the game for you because I can't tell you how many times I have made the mistake like everyone does every once in a while of letting someone influence my decision on a game or movie and either missing out on something I would have enjoyed in the begining or buying a game that got high critical praise and ended up turning out to be garbage..... (Halo 3, COD: WAW, COD 3, Resident Evil 5, FF IX and FF XII). In my opinion no need to hate.
I rarely pre-order, when I feel the game is going to be good (This statement has been proven wrong by AvP, which I paid half the price of the shops). I usually read the reviews , then buy the game when the price has been reduced or when the used ones will be sold (If anyone says that I'm not paying the developers, then you give me the money to pay for the sealed game!)
I rarely pre-order anymore. I pretty much only pre-order niche games or ones that could very easily be forgotten. Heck, I barely pay anywhere near full price anymore. I try to wait until it's discounted pretty heavily (PC DD and even PSN for PSP recently have been having some stellar deals).
I could care less for reviews because none of the reviewers i've ever seen have the same taste as me. I preorder what i know i'll like and buy the rest whenever.
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