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[kool kitty89]

Ammatour and independent "small time" reviews are the best cases I've seem . . . albeit you have to know where to look for actually well-done articles or videos, there's obviously tons of crap there too.

Personally, for a real review (not something purely for comedy), I much prefer someone who actually takes the time to try to like a game and make a realistic evaluation of the good and bad, with realistic and useful criticism. They should note if it's a genre/style that they're personally not partial to, and keep that in context in the review as well.
Working some humor into that doesn't hurt either. (still a different context than an actual "review" for comedic effect)

Game Sack and Classic Game Room have legitimate reviews in general, and manage to work a decent amount of humor in there too. Obviously the latter has gone far more commercial than it once was, and some people aren't fond of the reduced percentage of classic games being reviewed, but OTOH, reviewing modern games was always part of the Classic Game Room formula too. (prior to CGRHD)

Honestly, Mark Bussler is sometimes too forgiving at times, but he still tends to make valid criticism at least, and I much prefer that to blatant bashing beyond sense that many commercial reviews include. That, and he's at least consistent, and you get a good feel for his perspective in general (so long as you avoid "undertow" ).
Mark's reviews are particularly interesting to see in terms of games/platforms that typically get negative reviews, and to see a more balanced perspective on things. (both for modern and retro reviews)

As far as the big-name sites, I still use IGN as a general reference, but certainly not as a definitive review resource. (actually reading the review gives a good idea of how competent the reviewer actually is, as well as possible bias -even if they don't specifically make note of that bias as they should)

[The Coop]

Also, it's really not hard to get a job as a "video game journalist." It really isn't. All it takes is the ability to write at a 10th grade level, ANY college degree (not necessarily journalism) and the will to express yourself clearly through text. I've been offered positions writing for a few bigger name sites, either as an intern, freelance, or once even as a full time job, and I've written for countless smaller websites like racketboy.

I don't want to be a video game writer. I turn those jobs down because I don't really consider it illustrious work. At best, with big name publishing, you're glorified PR. Smaller sites grant much more freedom, but at the cost of viewership. When I write today, it's mainly as a hobby about something I'm naturally passionate about. Usually it's up on various forums first, and someone will approach me about publishing it as an article separately.

Then there's also the simple fact that writing professionally about a hobby is one of the fastest ways to get tired of that hobby. You cover it constantly, as opposed to taking part in it when time permits, or when the creative inspiration/idea strikes you. Then there are deadlines, rewrites, games being handed to you that you'd otherwise avoid... it just comes in waves until you want to get away from it, rather than be a part of it.

[MrSega]

Also, it's really not hard to get a job as a "video game journalist." It really isn't. All it takes is the ability to write at a 10th grade level, ANY college degree (not necessarily journalism) and the will to express yourself clearly through text. I've been offered positions writing for a few bigger name sites, either as an intern, freelance, or once even as a full time job, and I've written for countless smaller websites like racketboy.

I don't want to be a video game writer. I turn those jobs down because I don't really consider it illustrious work. At best, with big name publishing, you're glorified PR. Smaller sites grant much more freedom, but at the cost of viewership. When I write today, it's mainly as a hobby about something I'm naturally passionate about. Usually it's up on various forums first, and someone will approach me about publishing it as an article separately.

I agree. Game Journalism is a neccesity. Something freelance. There's plenty of mediums out there
besides gaming that you can be passionate about. For instance, being part of the anime fandom, I've discovered bias is quite rare. Most anime fans are passionate about their hobby. They don't defend one label while standing against another. Most of time its bi-partisan. Only in genres does bias appear.

If you wanted a professional journalism job. PC & Tech sites are a great alternative. I normally tend to use them as sources. Why? Because to me, they go straight to the source. These represent professional journalism. Actual insiders who know Console schematics,know how to read patents, actually speaks with engineers & has access to silicon facilities.