Video game journalists have always been mainly grifters.
When I was at Microprose (1988-1993) gaming magazines were up front about it. They would literally phone us and ask for bribes for reviews.
By the time I was at Ensemble Studios they were more circumspect. They'd say something like, "We plan to review Rise of Rome in November. Would you like to accompany it with a full-page ad?" Often with hints that failure to pay for the ad results in a worse review.
We all need video reviews to know what to buy. Get them from people who grew out of fandom, and play the games. Like Sophia Narwitz, Josh Strife Hayes, Civvie11, GmanLives, or Matthewmatosis. Let the major review sites die as they deserve.