Saying reviews don't matter is, to be frank, pretty ignorant.
Yes, reviewers do bribe, but this is only the case for typical AAA games where scores will end up predictable anyway. On the other hand, on pretty much every other game, reviews are a good reference. People go by impressions of other players yet for some reason they treat reviewers like crap and call them ignorant because they scored a game they THINK they'll like below their expectations. It is entirely possible to like a game that is a critical failure (I mean, if you actually like Sonic 06, then all power to you), but normally people would acknowledge their flaws. Similarly, it is entirely possible to dislike a game that is so universally loved. Platforming is my favorite genre, yet I don't like Yoshi's Island (which is often considered one of the best if not the best platformer) for several reasons, but I acknowledge why it's great.
Looking up reviews for a game you're on the edge about or when you don't have much money is a great way to make a decision, because most of the times, they are right. This is a case that is very common, which is why reviews really do matter in the end. If you're dead set on buying a game, I can't really see reviews to be of use. (Unless it scored far below your expectations.) )I can't think of a game (that isn't AAA) where I truly disagree with the metacritic score. It's normal and fine to disagree with reviews, as they are opinions after all. (and there's always that odd one out that scores a game much higher or lower than everyone else.) It's dismissing them completely is what I don't get. And I barely ever read reviews.
There's also those annoying fans who complain about their favorite game not getting 10/10s despite getting a 9 or 8. (Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, Uncharted 2, etc.) How childish can you get?
EDIT: Obviously you shouldn't let your opinion be influenced by reviews. Like I said, they're mostly references.