I usually go to Google. For casual games I usually go to Gamezebo from there if available, and then other relevant sites. For hardcore I do a video search and then go to IGN first and then others. I often also go to Metacritic, and browse the reviews and user reviews snippets. I find that user reviews are typically a lot more biased and less informative compared to professional reviews, but they do occasionally give a snippet of useful opinion or information.

I go to a lot of different sources and sometimes even watch many different videos before I get set to purchase a game. I typically go to GameSpot and read some of those reviews, go to IGN, read some of those. Sometimes just go to Google and type in "X Game Review" and click on random links to read what they have to say about it. If I'm still uncertain, I go to YouTube and watch videos before making my final decision.

I visit MobyGames to see how well certain game was received and sometimes to browse through the reviews, if any are available.

He might've mentioned Sega in passing?
Or maybe he got them pulled because they're on twitch or blip accessible through his homepage?

And last year I only bought a few games when they just came out. Xcom being the only >$20 one. Despite reviews and other things I did not have confidence enough in any title to throw that much at any one game.

Usually I find it's a nice idea if you look for something on a game, to check what other reviews the person has done on games you already know. That'll give you an idea how similar your ideals and tastes are. There were Gamespot reviews I felt were downright misleading, and there were others which were, for me, spot on. What's held up for example, what is defined as "good" or "Fun" depends on the person, both you and any reviewer out there.

Not throwing a lot of money at something which you completely hate can require a lot of research. As price goes down, so does the need for thorough research.

I read Rock Paper Shotgun, which I find quite trustworthy, I go to metacritic, not for the general number, but as a source for a lot of reviews, to quickly read over some them. Depending on who exactly says it, I also trust the opinions of people here.

Edit: the best view is, in my opinion, always a combination of the reviews you read. One source is just not enough. If

I use to see different reviews, but I always avoid Edge magazine. It really sucks.

metacritic to get a quick overview from the different review sites (not the number, mind you), destructoid and a quick google search.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - their opinions please me.

RockPaperShotgun
Angry Joe (although trust in him has fallen after watching his Risen reviews)
Northern Lion
GOG and Steam users (although mostly GOG as Steam forums are generally whining about minor issues)
I used to listen to Total Biscuit but now he enters most games with a bias based on the series or what he reads and can whine about the most minor crap
Ultimate Chance is another used to but he (and TB) can be fairly insulting in the comments towards users. He also acts like he is a rapper and swears too much
Giant Bomb Quick Looks
Random Youtubers I find through search who put effort into review

I only watch/read reviews for games that look interesting and which I will not play for whatever reason. Have no need for spoilres, that's it.

I didn't read back through, but I hope no one used AVGN. :/

http://kotaku.com/5974112/youtube-shuts-down-popular-angry-video-game-nerd-channel

Same here, I think the guy really had a keen analytical mind and the capacity to translate even the most indescribable details into comprehensible verbiage.

Now, I tend to rely mostly on aggregated user scores and reading a bunch of user reviews.

1. Go to RPS and see if they have any impressions/review of the game
2. Go to Youtube and find any review of the game in question
3. Search Youtube again to find some let's play/gameplay
4. If the game interest me I'll add it to my wishlist and wait for a sale xD

That's exactly what I do. Once several reviewers complain about the same thing, it raises a red flag. What annoyed one greatly, another one found funny, so in the end, you have to decide for yourself if what they're talking about annoys you or not. Besides, people have different tastes and you can even see that here, where a poster will say how much they love a game and another how he hates it.

For those games that aren't brand-spanking new releases, I've started going to their wiki page and looking at the "Reception" section...

*runs*!