Don't do this. Being contrarian for its own sake is far more destructive in a discussion than "mob mentality". Forums don't need balance, they need honest opinions. If you honestly disagree with a consensus opinion, then by all means argue against it. But if you're arguing for a perspective that you don't fully agree with or understand, then you are almost guaranteed to say something contradictory, illogical and/or stupid, and then no one knows whether you're trolling or being an idiot or what.
Just say what you really believe, whether it's part of the "mob" or not.
I was going to post this very idea. Well said here.
To anyone who thinks, gifts/allowances/access can't/don't/won't distort candid opinions. Your being naive. Is everyone affected? Not everyone. As consumers of game media you have to be careful/vigilant about what opinions you value these days.
I worked an industry where gifts and invites certainly could influence your actions or opinions while doing the job. So, while I don't believe there are suitcases of money changing hands with some journalists, influence through other means can/will happen.
I usually get my news from GAF. A few friends can't believe the things I tell them because of GAF. Mainly the news GAF has....like, Release dates, the huge eve battles GAF follows, NPD sales, the huge buy a PC and PC screenshot threads...etc...
OP you should always go with your own opinion unless someone sways that opinion with actual, solid arguments that deconstruct or bolster your opinion and allow you to think about something different. Even so, your opinion should reflect your thoughts on a particular subject at the given time.
As someone already mentioned, why did resolution and framerates matter to many journalists last gen. Now, it doesn't/shouldn't matter at all this gen. Look at some of the cretinous quotes from the media in this thread. The one about buying Titan Fall even if having a capable PC with no mention of a 360 version even though there's 80 million, give or take, out there. Shouldn't they all be mentioned? They are all MS ecosystems. So some, go as far as completely writing off two platforms which imo in the real world, could help kill over all sales of Titan Fall. They're saying, the only place to play this, is on XB1. How is Titan Fall going to sell the most copies, ignoring two of the biggest installed bases?
Yet, a higher recommendation/score for a PS4 multiplat is maybe politically incorrect. By saying the shit that particular quote does about the XB1version of Titan Fall is a simliar thing they won't do for a multiplat game going to both co