(Spoilers up ahead!) I played this mod back in 2019, and now, years later, decided to revisit it. I'm gonna be honest - after diving in, my first impressions of Virgil and the overall writing were poor and I thought I was going to be severely dissapointed. However, after beating the mod... I just can't hate it. Despite its flaws, it's still such a nice experience. Not on the same level as Portal 2, but Stories: Mel clearly has so much love and passion put into it that you can't help but love it.

• I'm pretty picky when it comes to story in videogames, that's the first thing I pay attention to. Most aspects of the game are masterfully crafted with great detail put into them, but the story is not on that list. It's a simplified structure of Portal 2's story (without a twist like when Wheatley betrays you), which is fine by itself, but it isn't helped by the fact that the two characters of AEGIS and Virgil are rather bland. AEGIS is intentionally blank, and Virgil feels like the writers just couldn't figure out what kinda character he's supposed to be. Portal 2's writing relies heavily on just how interesting GLaDOS and Wheatley are. They're complex, funny, interesting to listen to and learn about, and most importantly, they are recognizable. You know a Wheatley quote when you see it, he's a moron! Virgil either acts like an awkward nerd, a sincere and helping friend, or suddenly snaps at you for something you have no control over, which is the worst part of his writing. Like, I'm sorry I couldn't open this heavy door that's probably rusted on the inside in this god forsaken facility! His Cave Johnson bit is funny at first, but then goes on for too long until it abruptly ends with a bombshell - hey, turns out it's not the 50's and everyone you knew is dead! If this moment was given more attention and happened earlier, I think it would be more meaningful, especially when you can tell that that voice in the speakers clearly doesn't belong to Cave. If Virgil thought that the impression is such a dumb idea, he'd probably reveal himself earlier. And if the reveal itself was given more attention (maybe a room with screens showing Virgil's face somehow, or just straight up have the player meet him earlier. Then again maybe you don't have to show him, just make the reveal more personal), it could've felt more realistic and make the character of Virgil more intriguing for the player. I'd love to see him as more of an awkward nerd who's silly and has trouble expressing himself, but actually cares deeply for Mel. He also overexplains a little. I still love him though, I felt like as I played the game he got better and better. You can't help but feel for him, especially at the final battle. The "I don't want to drown in goo" hit hard, NO YOU WONT ILL SAVE YOU!
  
• Story goes hand in hand with lore, and when it comes to lore in this mod, I have zero issues. It's pretty much canon for me, I love it. The reveal of how aperture actually is on the surface was handled very well, Cave Johnson was awesome (I don't care, his VA did great!), and it's not hard for me to accept the existence of AEGIS. It makes complete sense, although I don't understand why would it be designed in such a.. form, I guess (from a lore perspective). Still looks cool though. The modmakers know their lore, and I really appreciate it. Mentions of GLaDOS were a little awkward and felt a little forced ("Mel, y'know who we just saved? HER. The HER. She is mysterious and evil!"), they wouldn't work if Stories: Mel was a standalone story, but I'm starting to nitpick. As I've said the game's pretty much canon for me and I love the lore.
  
• Also, the puzzles! I like a good brainteaser, but I'm no portal genius. I've read from other reviews that this mod really likes fizzlers and doesn't really have the flow of the original games. Throughout my playthrough, I couldn't help but come back to these thoughts. Some puzzles were a chore and I didn't feel like figuring them out, but most chambers were either fine or actually pretty fun.
  
• As for any additional thoughts, the music is amazing, fantastic job! The voice acting is also pretty good throughout. This project was crafted with so much effort and passion put into it, and to top it all of - it's one of the first major Portal 2 mods. Stories: Mel sets a great example for any future projects. Despite it's flaws, which may or may not actually be relevant for some people, this mod is an undeniable must-play if you're a portal fan. Totally recommend. Also, is there a mandela effect type of situation I'm experiencing? I was sure there would be a moment in game where you got to enter the elevator and then Virgil said "you're my olympian"? But it was a prerendered cutscene instead. That phrase would just melt my heart.

(Spoilers up ahead!) I played this mod back in 2019, and now, years later, decided to revisit it. I'm gonna be honest - after diving in, my first impressions of Virgil and the overall writing were poor and I thought I was going to be severely dissapointed. However, after beating the mod... I just can't hate it. Despite its flaws, it's still such a nice experience. Not on the same level as Portal 2, but Stories: Mel clearly has so much love and passion put into it that you can't help but love it. [list] [*]I'm pretty picky when it comes to story in videogames, that's the first thing I pay attention to. Most aspects of the game are masterfully crafted with great detail put into them, but the story is not on that list. It's a simplified structure of Portal 2's story (without a twist like when Wheatley betrays you), which is fine by itself, but it isn't helped by the fact that the two characters of AEGIS and Virgil are rather bland. AEGIS is intentionally blank, and Virgil feels like the writers just couldn't figure out what kinda character he's supposed to be. Portal 2's writing relies heavily on just how interesting GLaDOS and Wheatley are. They're complex, funny, interesting to listen to and learn about, and most importantly, they are recognizable. You know a Wheatley quote when you see it, he's a moron! Virgil either acts like an awkward nerd, a sincere and helping friend, or suddenly snaps at you for something you have no control over, which is the worst part of his writing. Like, I'm sorry I couldn't open this heavy door that's probably rusted on the inside in this god forsaken facility! His Cave Johnson bit is funny at first, but then goes on for too long until it abruptly ends with a bombshell - hey, turns out it's not the 50's and everyone you knew is dead! If this moment was given more attention and happened earlier, I think it would be more meaningful, especially when you can tell that that voice in the speakers clearly doesn't belong to Cave. If Virgil thought that the impression is such a dumb idea, he'd probably reveal himself earlier. And if the reveal itself was given more attention (maybe a room with screens showing Virgil's face somehow, or just straight up have the player meet him earlier. Then again maybe you don't have to show him, just make the reveal more personal), it could've felt more realistic and make the character of Virgil more intriguing for the player. I'd love to see him as more of an awkward nerd who's silly and has trouble expressing himself, but actually cares deeply for Mel. He also overexplains a little. I still love him though, I felt like as I played the game he got better and better. You can't help but feel for him, especially at the final battle. The "I don't want to drown in goo" hit hard, NO YOU WONT ILL SAVE YOU! [*]Story goes hand in hand with lore, and when it comes to lore in this mod, I have zero issues. It's pretty much canon for me, I love it. The reveal of how aperture actually is on the surface was handled very well, Cave Johnson was awesome (I don't care, his VA did great!), and it's not hard for me to accept the existence of AEGIS. It makes complete sense, although I don't understand why would it be designed in such a.. form, I guess (from a lore perspective). Still looks cool though. The modmakers know their lore, and I really appreciate it. Mentions of GLaDOS were a little awkward and felt a little forced ("Mel, y'know who we just saved? HER. The HER. She is mysterious and evil!"), they wouldn't work if Stories: Mel was a standalone story, but I'm starting to nitpick. As I've said the game's pretty much canon for me and I love the lore. [*]Also, the puzzles! I like a good brainteaser, but I'm no portal genius. I've read from other reviews that this mod really likes fizzlers and doesn't really have the flow of the original games. Throughout my playthrough, I couldn't help but come back to these thoughts. Some puzzles were a chore and I didn't feel like figuring them out, but most chambers were either fine or actually pretty fun. [*]As for any additional thoughts, the music is amazing, fantastic job! The voice acting is also pretty good throughout. This project was crafted with so much effort and passion put into it, and to top it all of - it's one of the first major Portal 2 mods. Stories: Mel sets a great example for any future projects. Despite it's flaws, which may or may not actually be relevant for some people, this mod is an undeniable must-play if you're a portal fan. Totally recommend. Also, is there a mandela effect type of situation I'm experiencing? I was sure there would be a moment in game where you got to enter the elevator and then Virgil said "you're my olympian"? But it was a prerendered cutscene instead. That phrase would just melt my heart.