Control was a surprisingly great game for me. After playing a lot of indie games, experimental games, and Nintendo games (none of them story-focused), I was missing a more traditional AAA game, and Control was exactly what I was looking for.

The incredible world-building, clearly inspired by the SCP Foundation, was amazing and the highest point of the game. All the mysteries presented through side quests, notes in the world, or just stuff laying around got me curious about this world. However, i have to say it's incredible how in such a creative world the "main enemy" (The hiss) is so uninspiring and uninteresting. The game ending was also a letdown story-wise since there were loads of mysteries left unfinished or underused (like the casino, for example), but overall the story was great and kept me engaged from beginning to end.

The gameplay starts very simple, and the gameplay loop remains unchanged throughout the entire game. However, the new types of weapons, powers, and enemies keep the combat fun and dynamic, allowing you to put your own identity into combat. I have nothing bad to say about the combat, but I think the game could use better puzzles. While there are some good ones, most are very simple. I also wish there was more platforming since some of Jesse's skills allow for interesting challenges but ended up being underused or only used for combat, which is almost never actually necessary.

I loved Control, and it got me interested in other games by Remedy, which I will definitely check out next. You know a game is good when the only defects are that it should take more advantage of its ideas. This leaves me very excited for what Control 2 can be, and is now one of my most antecipated games.

Half-Life surprised me positively in many ways. Despite my initial concerns that the gameplay might not have aged well, especially given the dated graphics, I found myself thoroughly enjoying most of the game. The world-building, a hallmark of Valve's design, is on point, creating an immersive and compelling environment.

The game's progression and story are highly engaging, managing to draw you in without getting in your way. This balance was revolutionary at the time and remains something many games still struggle to achieve today. The seamless integration of narrative and gameplay in Half-Life is a testament to its innovative design.

However, the game isn't without its flaws, some of which are common in older titles. There were moments where I had to resort to a guide due to the introduction of new mechanics that weren't clearly explained. Additionally, there were some minor pacing issues that occasionally disrupted the flow of the experience.

Despite these drawbacks, Half-Life was well worth playing. Its groundbreaking approach to storytelling and gameplay, combined with its engaging world-building, make it a standout title that has aged surprisingly well.