So I must admit, my expectations were pretty low. Going from Amazing Mirror & Squeak Squad, I was kinda worried about what this game would be. I was kinda impressed with the new content in Super Star Ultra but not enough to really think they would have what it takes. I played the Deluxe version over the original, I'm aware there's SOME minor changes to the main game but overall it seemed to be a faithful enough remake.

This is probably the best Kirby game I've played so far from a gameplay perspective. I can't overstate HOW improved this is from pretty much every other Kirby game. Kirby controls buttery smooth, probably the first kirby game where Kirby feels THAT responsive. We're back to not losing your copy abilities in one hit (in most circumstances and the others where you would lose them I'm totally okay with). The level design just completely trumps Squeak Squad in pretty much every way. The new copy abilities are fantastic and they even combined copy abilities, such as Ice and Freeze, and Wheel and Needle, which I am absolutely all for. Now I actually have a valid reason to actually use needle. I'm so glad they finally settled on using Super Star Ultra as the foundation of the Kirby games moving forward.

Graphically, this is beautiful. I still prefer Dream Land 3's graphics over this one simply for it appealing to me personally more, but this is absolutely the best 3D modeled Kirby has ever looked. There's never really a moment in this game where the graphics look dull. I appreciate the fact that they re-did the cutscenes too in order to reflect on the new artstyle. However, I must admit I did feel a little underwhelmed about the world themes being a bit more basic, but they had a lot of visual interest that it didn't bother me much and considering the context of this games release and status it makes sense. The soundtrack is also pretty dang good too. It's not as memorable as the stuff from Super Star is, but there are some really good tunes in here.

The extra modes is probably what puts this game over Super Star IMO. Having NOT ONLY a new campaign for Magolor, but all of the extra sub-games included, some of which are from previous Kirby games, is super cool. I absolutely love how they went out of their way for that.

If I had any issues with the game, is that it gets a little repetitive. Some of the challenge areas where you get the double gears got old pretty fast, especially when you're fighting the same boss over and over again. Fighting some of the same mini bosses over and over again got pretty old too, but I guess the super abilities kinda make up for that, although I wouldn't say they were THAT interesting.

Either way, I still enjoyed this game a lot. Absolutely amazed how fantastic the bump in quality was from previous Kirby games.

Another one of those titles that makes you question how you could possibly say something unique. This is everything I could ever hope for from a Kirby game that follows its classic gameplay type. A usurping over its original ten-fold by being so faithful.

Environments feel like a culmination of the highs perfected by previous mainline Kirbys without a single miss, background elements melding seamlessly with the foreground with everything colored vibrantly in HD so every new area has something visually stimulating. The OST is done similarly, creating an atmosphere untouchable by many previous titles.

Gameplay is not slow at all and is just snappy enough, this, mixed with incredible optimization from this iteration of copy abilities, makes you feel extremely prepared for anything the game throws at you. Puzzles aren't tedious and the game gives you some clear indication when you need to do something specific to progress through a puzzle. It isn't inherently challenging but being able to acquire so much through a single playthrough of a level entirely outweighs difficulty for me.

The story of Return is absolutely timeless, creating some great character development through its vignette-esque cutscenes. And having the final boss of a Kirby title actually have development is something you don't know you need until you have it. This follows well into the Magolor Epilogue.

Of which, the Magolor Epilogue is so far, by far, my favorite thing to come out of a mainline Kirby. I adore everything about this mode. Its story extension, new arcade-like gameplay with Mago's unique upgradable abilities, and of course the design and music for these areas.

I love this game and Magolor Epilogue just pushes it over the edge, going into playing through mainline Kirbys, I didn't expect to find something so near perfection.