I like to read the bad reviews. I know everyone has different tastes. A constructive bad review can sell me a game if the things that person didn't like aren't a deal breaker for me.
This is somewhat separate, but personally I find that the most reliable way to find good restaurants is to read the bad reviews and see if they have real complaints or if they were just in a foul mood because there was a wait to get a table without booking. If the restaurant replies that can be helpful too