Details in Video Games

So, recently, I just beat Bioshock: Infinite on my Xbox 360, and it was a fantastic experience from beginning to end.  The narrative was great, the combat was solid, and the scenery was beautiful.  However, one of the largest things that stuck out to me in the game were the small, historical details that the developers scattered throughout the game.  They weren't exactly big, but they supported the narrative in a way that I have never seen a game do before.

The game is set in a steampunk version of 1912 in the floating city of Columbia, a city that represents the independence of man and honors the great prophet Comestock.  Now, that in itself gives enough of a scenery.  Buildings float around you on clouds as you traverse through the massive city, and happy citizens go along their day buying and selling from their shops and enjoying life in Columbia.  It gives off a very happy and peaceful feeling. But if you know your history, you know that 1912 was not the best time for minorities.  As you continue through the game, this is brought out in little ways, such as slaves scrubbing floors and such.  As you pass through buildings  you will see there are separate restrooms for whites and colored people.  At one point in the game, you win a lottery drawing randomly and have a choice on whether to throw a baseball at an interracial couple or at the MC.  It doesn't seem like much, but these little historical details just makes the thought of this massive city even more real and gives off a sort of emotional appeal to the game, playing with your views on racism and segregation.  These details are continuous throughout the whole game, and makes itself more apparent in some areas.  Bioshock is filled with these little moments that connect to the gamer and expand the world of Columbia.  Its these little things that find themselves to be absent in many other games, and it makes the experience very worthwhile.

Ok, so this started to unintentionally turn into slight fan ranting, but what I say is true.  Just a little something I'd sometimes like to see in other games.