That's true, in terms of game marketing, especially if it's a controvertial criticism rather than a clear-cut one.
But I do understand the dev's position... the game isn't just a product to be sold, it's a creative process, and that means emotional investment. That makes it hard to hear negative elements :(
I love my games too... but it's about being profesional, I think...
I recently found an example: a well-known reviewer mentioned my game in a list, but he didn't review it based on its content. He didn't like it, and someone with less inner peace would have been upset, but I think he was very professional because he only mentioned the name, said why he didn't like it, and left it at that.
People who do that—hate something but still treat it professionally—are good reviewers.
Just by being mentioned by a professional, even if they don't like you, people know them for that opinion, and people also have their own opinions, so you still come out ahead.
