From a story perspective, Half-Life: Alyx is an enjoyable and essential entry in the series.Ĭombat isn't the highlight, but it still produces exciting moments. Despite its status as a prequel, the campaign ventures into new territory for the franchise and pushes it forward in compelling ways. I especially depended on him for levity in some of the more horrifying sequences, including a nightmarish encounter with a creature called Jeff.
Every time he chimed in on my earpiece was a welcome relief from the oppressive surroundings. – named for Resistance techie Russel, a lighthearted voice in your ear who guides you through City 17 in pursuit of Alyx’s father. The gravity gloves are technically called R.U.S.S.E.L.S. By the end, I was using my hands independently like a pro, unless any enemy got the jump on me and my panicked movements had me pulling the trigger on an empty gun and scrambling back for some breathing room. This never stops feeling satisfying, and using it in conjunction with other actions, like storing ammo over my shoulder and managing more complicated weapon reloads, feels instantly intuitive and fun to master. This sends it flying toward you, and then you grip to catch it when it reaches you. If you see a chunk of Resin (the currency used for weapon upgrades), you simply reach out and flick your wrist back. Experiencing it with this level of closeness and interactivity gives me a new appreciation for the series' specific brand of dystopian future.Ĭontrolling Alyx feels great thanks to the gravity gloves that help you manipulate the debris in your environment. Seeing Half-Life staples rendered with modern technology, explorable in virtual reality, is truly stunning. Intricately detailed faces follow you through conversations, and gorgeous vistas take your breath away. I watched for nearly a minute as a headcrab scrambled over a pile of luggage to get at me, pulling bags down and falling on its back in an unscripted display of the game's impressive physics. Whether you’re marveling at the disgustingly realistic viscera on corpses in the sewers or counting the teeth on the ceiling Barnacles waiting to suck up passersby, the gorgeous setting is immersive. Half-Life’s stark world has never felt so alive as it does here.
HALF LIFE ALYX SERIES
The story (which is set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2) finds Alyx on a journey to rescue her father from Combine captivity you don’t need to be a fan of the series to appreciate the narrative, but diehard fans have their patience rewarded. These components are enhanced by the VR control scheme, which feels tight throughout and only becomes more natural as you play. The gameplay is equal parts shooter and puzzler, encouraging immersive exploration of the beautifully realized environments. Centered on Alyx Vance, a main character from the series made playable for the first time, Half-Life: Alyx is an unforgettable adventure that undeniably pushes VR forward. The phenomenal atmosphere of City 17 is apparent from the moment you see a towering three-legged Strider knock debris loose as it ascends a building, and that feeling of awe continues all the way to the game's jaw-dropping finish.
However, the moment Half-Life: Alyx’s intro text faded and I opened my eyes to a Combine-infested Earth, I was convinced. With that kind of tradition and audience, Valve releasing its long-awaited continuation as a VR exclusive is controversial. The Half-Life series possesses a combination of historical significance and fan enthusiasm that few other franchises can match.