Shin Megami Tensei V might be “Persona without the heart” for some, but for me it was the perfect tone, pacing, imagery, and distinctiveness that set itself apart from its Persona brethren. The thing is that even though I’ve finished the game, I’m not finished WITH it. The entire game is packed to the brim with detail and content that really goes to show where the five plus years of development went. From the myriad side quests and optional bosses to the soundtrack that ventures between ominous ambience and chugging guitar chords, it shows that every detail was paid mind during the development process and the end result was a truly complete game in an era where so few games feel that way. The battle system returns from classic SMT games but is revamped but the massive options available to the player through character customization and how highly customizable your demon party members are. The 3D demon models are pristine, and each with their own unique animations that add plenty of character and detail. While the post-apocalyptic setting is nothing new for the franchise, it’s approached in a fresh and interesting way that sets it apart from its predecessors. Didn’t grab every collectible Miman or finish every side quest before you finished the game? Well you’re in luck, because not only is there NG+ but multiple endings that change the way that the final act of the story plays out, with different bosses and different rewards to boot. Between all of the memorable demon interactions, turn based battles that really make you think, fantastical settings, collectibles, characters, soundtrack, visuals, story, and everything else, SMT5 is my new favorite Switch game and is a must-play for RPG lovers and Switch owners alike.

Between the infinitely smooth and tight platforming mechanics, labyrinthian level design that provides hours of exploration, exciting and challenging boss battles, and colorful visuals that aren’t at all stymied by the Switch’s processing power, there are little to no negative things to say about Metroid Dread. It proves to be one of, if not THE, strongest title(s) in the franchise and is likely to earn yet another playthrough from me in the near future. Thank you, MercurySteam, for not fucking a franchise in the ass the way you did with Castlevania.

Nier Replicant "ver.themnumbers" is the perfect version of 2010's Nier, but that doesn't make it a perfect game. Things that ARE perfect about it include the tight combat mechanics, the art design, the storytelling, and, of course, the soundtrack. But that doesn't excuse the degree of repetition necessary to fully experience the game's story, nor the inane fetch quests that are, at a few points, mandatory. That being said, the pot of golden storytelling at the end of this game's rainbow is still worth getting to.