Shrug, it's my thread after all.

Yes skill level is relative, but button mashers will always be at the bottom of the barrel. Even hack and slash games are a step above button mashers.

Gears is the exclusive title that made everyone want to run out and get an X360. Even with its flaws, it's latest iteration is a better game than God of War 1 or 2 or 3 (unless 3 deviates from 1 and 2, but how much variation can you get from a button masher game?).