Judgment’s escalator physics are on another level

The stairs in Sega’s Yakuza-spinoff, Judgment, They are amazing. It was published in the US over three decades ago. However, thanks to a Twitter account dedicated to stairs in games, it is being celebrated for how smooth its characters use escalators. As a result, the developers are finally getting their due for making some of the best stairs we’ve ever seen in a video game.

The Twitter account, “climbing stairs in video gaming” allows you to peruse a catalogue of clips showing characters climbing stairs in dozens of video games. The clip is from JudgmentThe animation is so well-timed that it stands out. In the video, the main character Takayuki Yagami, walks up an escalator — each step lands perfectly as he strides up the moving stairs. Below is an embeded clip.

Yakuza: A Dragon’s Eye ViewRyu Ga Gotoku Studio developed the animation. It also features a similar stairwalk animation.

What’s the point of all this fuss over a small detail? It is difficult to erect stairs in videogames. Many modern 3D games allow us to move stairs without having to load a room. The stairs still feel more like a ramp. Sometimes, however, there is no discernible difference between the individual steps. These videos really demonstrate how stairs can feel just like stairs.

And this isn’t the only Twitter account dedicated to highlighting beloved game features. Another account, “Can You Pet the Dog?” shows clips of games where you can pet a pooch in-game. Another account, “Is Something Behind the Waterfall?” shows waterfalls in video games that have hidden secrets. All these fancy steps can be added to this list.