I've found steamers and reviewers not useful when it comes to PC ports, since they tend to review it more like console games. Most don't even bother to try playing with a mouse and keyboard that sometimes stuff like negative acceleration is completely missed. Or ignore stuff like Fov or if the game has good remapping. Totalbiscuit was one of the few that focused on that stuff back in the day. Even digital foundry ignores stuff like that focusing more on performance.

Even that thread you provided is a nice example of how even when manipulation takes place anonymous people have ability to make it known. I'll take user driven input over youtubers or streamers and especially official review outlets.