Half-Life: Alyx
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)
First Released
March 23, 2020 (3 years 6 months 3 days)
Official Blurb: Set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, Alyx Vance and her father Eli mount an early resistance to the Combine's brutal occupation of Earth.
91.75
Exceptional
Half-Life: Alyx is a return to the world of Half-Life, one of the most beloved series in gaming history. Set before the events of Half-Life 2, the game puts players in the shoes of Alyx Vance as she fights against the alien Combine in a desperate struggle for survival.
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Editor review
1 review
A Return to the World of Half-Life with Stunning VR Gameplay
Reviewed on Windows in December 2022
Overall rating
92
Fun Factor
95
Visual / Sound Quality
97
Replayability
85
Level of Challenge
90
Half-Life: Alyx is a return to the world of Half-Life, one of the most beloved series in gaming history. Set before the events of Half-Life 2, the game puts players in the shoes of Alyx Vance as she fights against the alien Combine in a desperate struggle for survival.
The game's VR gameplay is absolutely stunning, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the world of Half-Life. From the moment the game begins, players are transported to the bleak and desolate world of City 17, where the Combine rule with an iron fist. The game's graphics are top-notch, with detailed environments and characters that feel alive and real.
One of the standout features of Half-Life: Alyx is its intuitive VR controls. The game is designed to be played with a VR headset and motion controllers, and the developers have done an incredible job of making the controls feel natural and seamless. From picking up objects and using weapons, to solving puzzles and navigating through the game's environments, the VR controls are intuitive and easy to use.
Additionally, the game's VR gameplay adds a level of immersion and realism that is not possible with traditional games. For example, when players pick up an object in the game, they can physically reach out and grab it with their motion controllers, making the experience feel more real. Similarly, when players are exploring the game's environments, they can look around in 360 degrees, giving them a true sense of presence in the game world.
Additionally, the game's VR gameplay adds a level of immersion and realism that is not possible with traditional games. For example, when players pick up an object in the game, they can physically reach out and grab it with their motion controllers, making the experience feel more real. Similarly, when players are exploring the game's environments, they can look around in 360 degrees, giving them a true sense of presence in the game world.
The game's story is also well-written and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep players hooked. As Alyx, players will encounter a wide range of characters, both friendly and hostile, and will need to use their wits and cunning to survive. The game's voice acting is also top-notch, adding to the game's overall immersion.
In terms of gameplay, Half-Life: Alyx is a thrilling and satisfying experience. The game's combat is intense and satisfying, with a wide range of weapons and abilities at the player's disposal. Whether you prefer to go in guns blazing or use stealth to take down your enemies, there is a playstyle to suit everyone.
Additionally, the game's puzzles are clever and challenging, providing a nice break from the game's action-packed moments. These puzzles range from simple tasks, such as finding a way to unlock a door, to more complex challenges that require the player to use their wits and problem-solving skills.
For fun factor, I would give Half-Life: Alyx a rating of 95 out of 100. The game's immersive VR gameplay, engaging story, and satisfying combat make it an incredibly enjoyable experience.
For fun factor, I would give Half-Life: Alyx a rating of 95 out of 100. The game's immersive VR gameplay, engaging story, and satisfying combat make it an incredibly enjoyable experience.
In terms of visual and sound quality, I would give the game a rating of 97 out of 100. The game's graphics are stunning, with detailed environments and characters that feel alive and real. The game's sound design is also top-notch, adding to the game's overall immersion.
In terms of replayability, I would give the game a rating of 85 out of 100. While the game's main story is engaging and well-written, it is not overly long, and once you have completed it, there is not much incentive to replay it. However, the game's challenging puzzles and satisfying combat make it enjoyable to play through multiple times.
Finally, in terms of level of challenge, I would give Half-Life: Alyx a rating of 90 out of 100. The game's puzzles are clever and challenging, and its combat can be intense and satisfying. Overall, the game provides a satisfying level of challenge that will keep players engaged and invested in the game.
Overall, Half-Life: Alyx is a fantastic addition to the Half-Life series. Its stunning VR gameplay, intuitive controls, engaging story, and satisfying combat make it a must-play for fans of the series and VR gamers alike.
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About the game
About the game:
Half-Life: Alyx is Valve's VR return to the Half-Life series. It's the story of an impossible fight against a vicious alien race known as the Combine, set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2. Playing as Alyx Vance, you are humanity's only chance for survival. The Combine's control of the planet since the Black Mesa incident has only strengthened as they corral the remaining population in cities. Among them are some of Earth's greatest scientists: you and your father, Dr. Eli Vance. As founders of a fledgling resistance, you've continued your clandestine scientific activity performing critical research, and building invaluable tools for the few humans brave enough to defy the Combine. Every day, you learn more about your enemy, and every day you work toward finding a weakness.
ABOUT GAMEPLAY IN VR:
Valve's return to the Half-Life universe that started it all was built from the ground up for virtual reality. VR was built to enable the gameplay that sits at the heart of Half-Life.
Immerse yourself in deep environmental interactions, puzzle solving, world exploration, and visceral combat.
Lean to aim around a broken wall and under a Barnacle to make an impossible shot. Rummage through shelves to find a healing syringe and some shotgun shells. Manipulate tools to hack alien interfaces. Toss a bottle through a window to distract an enemy. Rip a Headcrab off your face and throw it at a Combine soldier.
Extra content for Index owners
Customers who have purchased Valve Index hardware by the end of 2019 will have access to unique bonuses starting early next year:
* Explore environments from Half-Life: Alyx in your SteamVR Home space
* Alternate gun skins to embellish Alyx's arsenal
* Special Half-Life: Alyx-themed content for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2
Community-built environments
* A set of Source 2 tools for building new environments will ship with the game, enabling any player to build and contribute new environments for the community to enjoy. Hammer, Valve's level authoring tool, has been updated with all of the game's virtual reality gameplay tools and components.
ABOUT GAMEPLAY IN VR:
Valve's return to the Half-Life universe that started it all was built from the ground up for virtual reality. VR was built to enable the gameplay that sits at the heart of Half-Life.
Immerse yourself in deep environmental interactions, puzzle solving, world exploration, and visceral combat.
Lean to aim around a broken wall and under a Barnacle to make an impossible shot. Rummage through shelves to find a healing syringe and some shotgun shells. Manipulate tools to hack alien interfaces. Toss a bottle through a window to distract an enemy. Rip a Headcrab off your face and throw it at a Combine soldier.
Extra content for Index owners
Customers who have purchased Valve Index hardware by the end of 2019 will have access to unique bonuses starting early next year:
* Explore environments from Half-Life: Alyx in your SteamVR Home space
* Alternate gun skins to embellish Alyx's arsenal
* Special Half-Life: Alyx-themed content for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2
Community-built environments
* A set of Source 2 tools for building new environments will ship with the game, enabling any player to build and contribute new environments for the community to enjoy. Hammer, Valve's level authoring tool, has been updated with all of the game's virtual reality gameplay tools and components.