I used to use Emacs for large files and vi for small, quick edits. I am now using VS Code for large files and still vi for quick edits. The single feature that got me to switch from Emacs to VS Code was the ability to use a mouse for navigation and selection. (My Emacs and vi usage was always in a terminal.) I had tried XEmacs for a while, but found it too aesthetically displeasing.
I would be happy to return to Emacs if there was a front end that worked well and was standardized across all windowing systems (Linux/Mac/Windows).
Do you mean it had much better aesthetics? Something can't be more aesthetic, that's like saying it's more temperature outside when you mean it's hotter.
Yes, considering what XEmacs looked like, I would say that newer Emacs look considerably more aesthetically pleasing. And with certain themes, Emacs can look outright gorgeous.
I would be happy to return to Emacs if there was a front end that worked well and was standardized across all windowing systems (Linux/Mac/Windows).