I do not envy the position of Metroid's developers after Super Metroid's release. How the hell do you possibly follow up one of the greatest video games of all time, a title so monumentally original and smart that it kickstarted an entire genre of games unto itself? With Fusion, they sook to flip Metroid on its head, creating a linear, cinematic, and railroaded experience. It was a little clunky but for the GBA it was easily the best solution. But how about the Nintendo Switch? What do you do when it's been 20 years since the last purely original title in the 2D entries and you have to bring this relatively obscure series to the limelight? Why, you simply mix the best of Super and Fusion.

The perfect balance of massively labyrinthine while linear to a T. The purification of the Dread (heh) and fear of Fusion's chase segments. The always-rewarding sense of item collection and expansive movement sandbox that Super had. Plus, to top it all off, the most BADASS presentation of Samus we've EVER had. OH AND ALSO, easily the hardest game in the series so far, because why not :P

Samus Returns wasn't anything to write home about but Mercury Steam COMPLETELY blew me away with this love letter to the franchise. They not only successfully showed that 2D AAA games CAN and SHOULD remain relevant this far into the 3D game sphere, but they also created the perfect end to this five-game narrative that Samus Aran has journeyed through. Sure, the level theming is kinda boring and the music genuinely sounds AI-generated, but does that even matter when the rest of the game goes so hard?? I'm so happy I played through these five titles and finally experienced this series that I've been SLEEPING ON for so long. MOVE OVER XENOBLADE, METROID IS MY NEW FAVORITE NINTENDO SERIES. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Edit: ok fine i brought it down half a star because the areas' visual designs stink, the soundtrack is a complete joke, and i can't remember a single area from this game a few months later. it still ROCKS to play, tho.