I’ve started Black Mesa but haven’t finished it yet. What I’ve played has been fucking impressive.

Valve is sort of the best at what I’m asking about—all of their games have the greatest touches that make the settings feel like existing locations you’ve walked into. It’s what makes me wish they published more.

The insane detail that goes into aging Aperture throughout the second half of Portal 2, the way it starts in the 40s or 50s at the very bottom and has a distinct “era” for each level as you get closer to the surface, including Cave’s progressing illness . . . it’s such good storytelling, and it’s literally just window dressing for the already-great main plot.

Fool—the scroll wheel is a scalpel; the scrollbar is a broadsword. Use the right tool for the job.

My impression is that Sega’s always been pretty chill & receptive to interest in respectful revivals of classic IP.

It’s been nice to watch a large company respond to that interest with more accessibility, and not less (Nintendo).