Maybe Gamespot should be renamed to Off the Mark.
Look at it this way, Gamespot gave a rehashed throwback of an 8 bit game, MegaMan 9, a rating of 8.5? Yet gives Wipeout HD, which they claim (I am paraphrasing) "is a rehash of Wipeout Pure and Pulse" a 7.5?
Wipeout HD, takes advantage of 100% of the platform's features and technology and the other looks like the crap that only could be a 640x480 16 color game (even if a fun one)? It's pretty clear there is no consistency to reviews and the editors don't monitor for it. I think GameSpot ought get a second opinion. Fortunately most of the other gaming sites completely disagree as do the users.
(Update) I am now on my second week of playing. I am using a 37 inch (~95cm) 1080p TV and I am as impressed as ever. Your whole body bobs and weaves with the ship. I did have the game lock up once. Coming off the last turn of Veneta K and hitting Turbo I slammed into an obstacle (I suck at games) and as I bounced off, I was all of a sudden back at a partially transparent main menu and locked up. Just once.
I've played using the SixAxis and it is doable. But it requires a lot more practice. I have heard as you get to higher and faster levels (something I won't see for a long time) the motion control is just too slow to respond. But the normal controller works fine (of course).
The photo mode after a race is weird as none of my barrel rolls, or crashes, or mistakes ever show up. I think it's simply 'generic'. And in the race I am not about to stop and mess with taking a photo.
At times I just wait and let the game go into the attract mode just so I can take in the vistas of the tracks. Visually its stunning. You have to buy it. It's a PSN must. In my opinion a PS3 must. My rating reflects I am a WipeOut fan boy owning XL, Fusion, Pure, and Pulse. However for $20 I am almost certain you'll feel you got your money's worth out of your purchase. It's a title you'll drag out just to show others what the PS3 can do.