Half-Life: Alyx

This game is actually amazing. I can't tell you how much timed i started screaming and was fearing for my life. This game is a realistic masterpiece and is very worth the $60.

A great installment for the Half-Life franchise even though it requires special hardware that will net you at least $500 USD. Fortunately, there's other good to great VR games by now so Half-Life: Alyx isn't the only game worth playing for that amount of money, so your VR headset won't be collecting dust on its stand while you wait for other cool video games. Half-Life: Alyx has you playing as Alyx Vance five years before the events of Half-Life 2 where she eventually meets the legendary Gordon Freeman. We get to see Alyx's own involvement with the resistance after Freeman's mysterious disappearance after killing Nihilanth and how she forges her own path to heroine status among the remnants of humanity still fighting their alien conquerors.

While at first I was one of those people who wished Valve just focused on releasing Half-Life 3, non-VR, finally playing Half-Life: Alyx I can understand why they chose a VR version besides for the purpose of selling their own branded VR equipment. This is something that Valve loves to do. They'll create a product just to showcase the potential for new technology (see: The Orange Box's Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Source and Portal for realistic physics engines) and while Valve didn't create VR, they still created a video game that perfectly demonstrates what VR gaming should be and helped set a standard for other developers to follow and make even better.

Valve has always managed to push the envelope with the video games they actually DO develop, at least somewhat consistently since they did fail with Artifact and the OGs will still remember the oddity that was Richochet. But back in 2004, Half-Life 2 was among the very first video games to utilize a realistic physics engine, or at least do it rather well, that the gameplay alone was something you didn't want to quit. They designed a number of physics based puzzles and even unique weaponry like the iconic gravity gun that really let you experiment and get creative. Where Half-Life 2 innovated what you can do with physics in a video game, Half-Life: Alyx takes it to the next level by letting you pick up nearly anything smaller than you are so that you can toss it off of a roof top to try and hit a civilian or a passing vehicle. It really highlights just how far technology and video gaming has come when you compare this game to its predecessors.

Just like other Half-Life video games, you can expect puzzles here and Valve's development with VR really does a great job immersing you into them. The puzzles have you physically reaching out to manipulate a holographically projected screen by twisting and turning and moving objects around to 'hack' into Combine technology, and while these can get somewhat repetitive by the end of the game, it was still a really cool way to solving puzzles. It's just impossible to explain how to perceive it without your just experiencing it firsthand yourself. There's a whole unique perspective on just everything when you play a video game properly designed for VR like this one. Everything in the Half-Life world was huge from the creatures you fight to the buildings you explore, but standing at the base of the Citadel tower and looking up at it in VR really shows just how small you are in the grand scope of everything as opposed to looking up at it from a computer screen in Half-Life 2. They even improved the headcrabs where they'll pounce at you and if you dodge them, they'll bounce off of a wall and flop over after recoiling from striking against a hard surface. Somehow, it makes headcrabs even cuter.

Having played other VR games since then, I can tell that Valve took a safe and accessible approach with HL:A to make it playable for anybody. Whether it be an old lady who is wheelchair bound or even a puke faced 8-year-old kid who gets motion sickness in a car, this game was still an incredible experience as my introduction into VR gaming regardless. I believe it could have been much better, a 10 out of 10, in fact; if Valve was less focused on comfortability and took a more bold approach to its design and gameplay like you have with games like Blade & Sorcery. Valve clearly wanted to avoid motion sickening scenes like how HL2 had an airboat chapter, but I suppose I understand their logic if their idea was to try and get VR into the mainstream.

But I digress, any VR owners (or those planning to invest into the equipment soon enough) should consider adding Half-Life: Alyx into their library. Much like how Half-Life, and then Half-Life 2 were among the best video games of its time, I think Half-Life: Alyx also meets the expectations you'd have for a Half-Life title and I can see what Valve is doing here regarding the long awaited HL3 as HL:A cleverly ties into HL2:EP2 and we even see a cameo of Gordon Freeman in glorious VR as well. I'm always worried for sequels/prequels to older titles because those who developed those older video games could be long gone and replaced by, well, inexperienced college grads. This is something we see with a lot of modern video games but fortunately Valve still knows what Half-Life is.

That isn't all there is to the game, either, by the way. There's also Workshop support and people have created additional content for you to play around with, where they've created their own levels and campaigns if you found HL:A to lack action or to be too short.

"Half-Life: Alyx" is a masterclass in immersive storytelling and gameplay, and one of its standout moments is the exhilarating experience of acquiring the flashlight. As you navigate the dark, foreboding environments of City 17, the moment you finally unlock this essential tool transforms your experience, adding an exhilarating layer of tension and discovery. The flashlight not only illuminates your path but also enhances the game's atmosphere, revealing hidden headcrabs and lurking zombies with every flick of the beam. This simple yet impactful addition perfectly encapsulates the game's brilliance, drawing players deeper into its haunting world and keeping them on the edge of their seats as they confront both the beauty and horrors lurking in the shadows...

This is definitively the best VR game, yes better than beat saber, fight me over that

i got this game years ago and to this day its still the best VR game I've ever played great story, great action and good puzzles I never came across anything that stumped me just great fun i wish they would make another

Probably the most amazing, most polished, most advanced, most immersive VR experience anyone can have. The environments are breathtakingly immersive, the ability to interact with almost everything adds to that. Throwing glass bottles at walls in VR is oddly fun in this game. The combat is a lot of fun and the puzzles are pretty easy, the story telling is fantastic, the characters are interesting and likable, I could go on. Just an all round amazing 10/10, not just VR game, but 10/10 game in general, and the fact that they could do this with a VR game is an astounding feat to accomplish!

Only complaint, without spoiling anything: You don't get to give Russell the vodka, so don't try to save a bottle for him, I carried it around until the end of the game hoping I'd eventually be able to hand it to him. Don't bother, you can't. If you haven't played the game yet, you'll know when you get there.

fun game well done it rely pull all the sops out for fun and scary stuff

Amazing story and graphics. A next-level and unforgettable experience in VR and the best VR experience to date.

This should be, and probably is, the industry standard for VR games. Still.
Smooth as butter, innovative mechanics, fantastic scenery, and damned good gameplay.
Doesn't do much in dissuading anyone from a HL3, though ;)

Absolutely brilliant game, and although a linear story it's very fun to replay. The only downside is it's level of detail regarding interactablility has caused many other VR games I've played to feel disappointing in comparison

very good game Very good story good graphics 10/10

The best VR game I have played.

After completing this game, I was trying to find another high-quality VR game, but until now, I haven't found anything.
I don't mean that there aren't any good games for VR, but currently, this game has the best quality and immersion effect.

The game itself is very good. Since I didn't play in previous Half-Life games this game is a very good start.

I can defenetly recomment to buy VR to play this game.

best vr game that i have ever tried iv gotten thrugh it twice now amazing story

Why isnt the game launching in VR Mode? It's launching as if it were a 2D/Flatscreen game

As an adult human I have very little time to game. I think the last game I played through was Skyrim, and that was maybe 3 years ago. As far as I'm concerned HL:Alyx is the new standard for getting me to choose gaming over sleep, and that is literally what I have to do to get some game time. It has to be *this* immersive, *this* well-written and *this* f***ing fantastic. You can stop reading now and go buy and play it already. WHY ARE YOU STILL READING

Far and away the best VR game I have had the pleasure of playing. From being able to pick up a marker and draw willies on the window to (SPOILER) blasting electricity out of your hands towards the end of the game; just an exquisitely polished experience all round.

This is still the de facto standard for a perfect vr game. I played on Meta Quest 2 wirelessly and it was my favorite VR experience up to that point. Cannot recommend enough.

Half-Life: Alyx is a groundbreaking VR experience that pushes the limits of immersive gameplay. Set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, the game follows Alyx Vance as she battles the Combine. The VR mechanics are expertly crafted, making everything from combat to puzzle-solving feel intuitive and engaging. The game’s visuals are stunning, with detailed environments that pull you into the world. Every moment feels tense and atmospheric, with clever storytelling and strong pacing. For VR enthusiasts and Half-Life fans alike, Alyx sets a new standard for what virtual reality gaming can achieve.

A great game! While there sadly isn't any melee, and the interact-able physics are superb, but limited. The gameplay, graphics and story are great!

I've played video games for over 30 years, starting from digger on the floppy discs. I've finished hundreds of games of all sorts.

Half-Life: Alyx is the single best video game experience of my life. This is something you have to try. Unless you have some sort of medical condition that prevents you from using VR, there's no excuse for you not to buy and finish this game, because there's nothing like it, even 5 years after it's been released.

good graphics and a great story

easily the best vr game I've played so far and i'm not even half way through, combat can be challenging at points on normal difficulty but never so hard I've felt the need to lower the difficulty.

Absolutely incredible. An extremely well-polished VR game, with great writing, environments and action moments. I kept expecting it to be near the end, and it just kept throwing more levels at me. The benchmark of VR games.

I bought *Half-Life: Alyx* when it launched in 2020, but I waited to play it until I had a decent PC and headset. Wow, it was definitely worth the wait!
I played it on my Quest 3 in 2024, four years later, and I'm still only in Chapter 5, but I can already say this is the best gaming experience of my life. It’s hard to believe this game is almost 5 years old!

The graphics, story, voice acting, immersion, and even the intensity are truly out of this world. The level of detail is astounding.

However, there’s a downside to playing *Alyx*: it spoils other VR games. Everything else feels like PS2 graphics in comparison.

In a nutshell, *Half-Life: Alyx* is a masterpiece. I can only hope Valve continues the *Half-Life* series in VR forever!

Amazing story with grate game experience and very interesting puzzles

An amazing game with amazing game play and an amazing story. Now the Headcrabs want to give me a kiss.

Half-Life but with VR, there's nothing more to say, Alyx Vance is the protagonist of this installment, but of course... it's not Half Life 3 yet... but this is a great game that you can't miss, it's worth it, even more so with virtual reality, Half-Life is always innovating.

I experienced the most fun I have ever had playing video games within Half Life: Alyx. Virtual Reality is amazing and I wish more games like this existed. Only complaint is that I wish the game was longer.

Great game, good story
Guns felt pretty good to handle
Definitely worth to pick up the game and play, highly suggest running it on hard for that "realistic" feel the need to actually take cover, conserve ammo and manage health
Overall, Its gud heh
Don't let the headcrabs bite :P

Impressive graphically and technically. I also like that there are custom maps in workshop. There's much attention to detail, and overall the gameplay is a blast.

truly outstanding! the graphics are insane and the story is amazing, i highly recommend this game for new or experienced vr players, also if you have the quest 3 or any high resolution headset you will be amazed, also i absolutely LOVE how you can interact with almost anything, the only thing about this game that i dont like is how it does not give you any instructions, i know i know but i am a very stupid human and i had to watch like 4 tutorials lmao, but yes i 100% recommend this game BUT FIRST make sure you have a decent pc as the graphics are wonderful.

Jesus Christ. Now this, this is a capital VR VR game, with extra VVVVVRRRRR. I can imagine that this is what gamers at arcades believed the future would look like-

I do want to say, the people that say this game is a glorified demo, I understand. It isn't the next "TRIPLE A 80+ HOURS OF CONTENT WITH KEANU REEVE'S GHOST HOLY SHMOCKAMOLE" game but for the 6-10 hours of gameplay, you will feel legitimate wonder and astonishment at both the gameplay and the visuals.

The first 10 min of playing this game for me were unforgettable and for everyone who I've shown the index to, I will always show them those first 10 min. When I played it and I saw the strider crash down in front of me I stood dumbfounded at how this impossibly real thing could have just crushed me; I felt like an ant dwarfed by impossibly destructive forces. It is jaw dropping how real these things look . Now, when my roommate saw this same thing, they actively ran away and didn't even look at it. Just got the hell out of dodge. because frankly, VR does sense of scale and audio design right.

Mind you, this game should be played on a Valve Index. I've heard that the game is good on other pieces of hardware, but the way the hand trackers allow you traverse and and experience throwing things, or feeling things push back on you, it is frightening how close it gets to reality.

And all of the things that seem kind of minor in VR like being able to remove your shooting hands from where you're looking or interact with things not in your point of view because now you have these two things called "hands" that can reach things around you, I gotta tell ya, Hands make this game fricking insane. The ability to fire your gun at something behind you while looking at something ahead or simply throwing a grenade around a corner, is so foreign and inconceivable to my limited keyboard and mouse FPS brain that when those moments happened, it felt like magic.

In a gun fight, seeing enemies notice you, gravity grabbing their grenade from them mid flight, throwing it back one way, then moving yourself to another location to gravity it back to you at a different angle catching that guy behind cover is just- it's run of the mill. And this game lets you do the dumb sh** like that.

The visuals, the improvement of having two limbs, the terrifying parts of this game and the ease of use to do ridiculous things make this game, again, unforgettable. Simply amazing. If you can get your hands on an index, go play it. It's the best.

Great game. Can have difficult puzzles and i end up asking reddit for answers... but overall great.

The first play through I took my time, experienced the story as intended. (15-ish hours to explore everything). Lowered the difficulty and ran through a second time to get 100% on achievements (another 8-ish hours). And now I'm thinking about playing through for a third time.. just cause. This is a generation defining game. This game is like finding a lost diamond in the rough. It stands head and shoulders above almost any other game, VR or not. Story, graphics, voice acting, the VR immersion, level design, you actually feel like you're there, like the enemies are actually going to reach out and grab you at any moment. Like it's YOUR friends and family that are in danger. This game is one of the greats and I doubt another will take its place for a long long time. Can't recommend this enough. 10/10 would crawl around in the dark with Jeff again.

My only complaint that I have for this game is that the headcrabs is not edible, as a vort gave me one for free food. :(

We are in 2024 and it is still, by far, the best VR game. And not only so, it is also a great Half Life game. I wish my computer was even more powerful to properly handle it, and that I have an infinitely big room so I can actually walk around freely. If you have the space, the hardware, and you like HL, this is a must play. A masterpiece.

The game is beautiful(even to date), the environments are great, story is a little straightforward, the voice actor is different but id say she still did a good job. The weapons are limited but effective but this makes sense, there is also a crafting system that relies on resin, this makes one want to explore the map more. AI felt wierd tho. Higly recommended.... and watch out for JEFF.

First game I bought for my Meta Quest 3 and the second was Golf +. I have a feeling that I'm going to have too high an expectation for most titles to come after I'm finished with this game. There's a reason it's number one on the charts. Valve hits yet another homer run with one of if not the best first person AND story line shooter AND puzzle games.... EVER

Half-life: alyx is an absolute BANGER, if i'm being honuest, it has to be one of (if not THE) best vr game.
i got it when it was on sale for 20-ish euros and GODDAMN was that a good purchace, the sandbox might be a little small but its very balanced (especially with upgrades), i'd say the only low point about it is antilions, they're just not that fun to fight.
also, if you're the type of guy to just throw stuff arround during cutscenes, its perfect for you, theres stuff to do EVERYWHERE

amazing game. gunplay is phenomenal, the enviorments are so immersive and overall, its a must-play.

Probably the best VR game I’ve ever played even though I had some problems with it before it’s all fine and dandy to get all the achievements even though I wish there was more to it than it usually is it’s an OK game. Some of the chapters are really really hard. like the third one because they just throw you into the bomb part straight away.

There could not have been a better return to City 17. The feeling from Half-Life 2 practically remains intact, but even better!

Although the cremators still haven't made an appearance :(

Unfortunately, I did not get to experience the game in it's intended way. I had to play with a mod instead, so it wouldn't be fair to judge it's gameplay without experiencing it to it's full extent.

I'd say my complaints with the game world would be more related to the sound design. I felt as if the sound effects chosen were in part less memorable or fitting for the universe than the sound design of it's predecessors. For example, the sounds of weapons feel a bit too artificial and "laser-like" compared to the more grounded approach HL2 had, as well as other sound effects related to the Combine. They lack the eerie and strange quality that HL2 brought with it.

this is a great game. I don't intend on writing a in depth review, but I will do some highlights. First of all, I didn't realize I was playing with low graphics till I checked the settings, so to make things short this game is wonderful in the visual department. The gameplay is even better, you get a gun, a very very satisfying gun, then you get 2 more that make this game a well balanced game. You can run into the middle of the field and destroy every combine in a few seconds, you can deal with them quick if you know what to do, unlike the last few half life games. Anyways, in short the guns in HL:A are great. I wont go into the story, as it is best experienced on your own, but I will say it's good too. The setting and characters are also good, taking place in the QZ, quarantine zone, you fight through zombies, headcrabs, antlions, and even new foes. Russel is the best Half-Life character might I add.
I'd give this game a try, there are no-VR mods for it if you dont own a VR headset. Yet another great sequel in the Half-Life series.

this is a good game it has rtx that my pc can barely handle playing the first map sometimes putting the textures to low i can't see a single diffrence than high textures other than the fps impact to putting it at high textures level the game can be played i like it since it has console it hard to get console if you don't know what ya doing but it very easy so i give this game a 19.5/20 the game costs too much but i got it while it was like ehh 60 to 70% off i think or maybe 40% off i don't know but i didn't get it at full price that is what made the rating good 19.5/20

Visuals are fairly great, but the game play is outstanding! They must have spent a lot of time testing it before release. The story is also quite flushed out. I like the nice blend of comedy that the "narrator" or "man in the chair" provides as I get spooked pretty easily XD.

I remember partway through my first playthrough, I was hit by a wave of sadness, as I realised I must not have very much game left to experience, and the sombre knowledge that I'd never play another VR game that could possibly stand a chance of measuring up to it.

That feeling passed, as it turns out I was only a quarter of the way through at that point in time, but the latter sentiment has held true. Nothing could compare.

Half-Life Alyx is far from a vertical slice or a tech demo; it's a full fledged AAA experience that reminds you of when AAA meant something more than "a big company made it". Further than that, it's built to take full advantage of everything VR has to offer, and spares no expense giving you the experience in the most polished format imaginable.

I said it then and I'll say it now, HL:A is the best game I've ever played. I don't say this lightly. Devil May Cry 3 and 5 hold special places in my heart, as do the Halo and Ace Attorney trilogies, and friends of mine know how badly I'll shill Marvel vs Capcom 3 and Burnout Paradise. Doom, Steins;Gate, Monster Hunter, Left 4 Dead, there's an ocean of amazing games out there that belong in the category of peak, and among them, stands Half-Life Alyx, towering over them.

An experience you truly cannot get anywhere else, and one that I highly doubt can ever be replicated. A game that playing with a mouse & keyboard would be doing an immense disservice to yourself. I cannot in good conscience recommend VR as a platform, but should you ever find yourself wanting, or have an opportunity with a weekend at a friend's house, please. Do yourself a favour. Play this game.

Excellent game. Love the level design, the puzzles, and the whole vibe of the game. First PCVR game that I became completely immersed in.

me senti como samuel l jackson ejecutando a los combines como gordon con la gravity gun azul
AND I WILL STRIKE DOWN UPON THEE WITH GREAT VENGEANCE AND FURIOUS ANGER THOSE WOULD ATTEMPT TO POISON AND DESTROY MY BROTHERS. AND YOU WILL KNOW MY NAME IS THE LORD WHEN I LAY MY VENGEANCE UPON THEEEEEEEEEEEE

11/10 ign like y suscribirse y activo la campanita peaso de juego chaal valio la pena endeudarme 5 meses por 1 vr culero solo para jugar esta pura wea y ya

Easily the best VR game I've ever played and really shows the potential for full scale VR experiences.

Fantastic game in it's own right highly recommend, but also a great continuation to the half life story. Play it with the novr mod if you don't have a vr headset, it's still a great game to play :)