Half-Life: Alyx

 PC
User Score
9.2

Universal acclaim- based on 2812 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,575 out of 2812
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 2812
  3. Negative: 179 out of 2812

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  1. BathSaltZombii
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    Valve only put out Half Life games when it broke boundries and did something new. A flat screen Half Life would feel ancient at this point and it only made sense that I was VR. People calling Valve Greedy? They are not even turning a profit on this game. This game is a masterpiece and I can't wait to see what Valve does next in the VR space.
  2. m2001mapm
    Mar 23, 2020
    10
    Most innovative gaming experience so far.
    It was worth the wait, no doubt about it.
  3. JDemiDawg
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    I've actually played the game.

    I've only played a few hours but HL Alyx is already a 10/10 for me. The saddest part of playing HL Alyx is it's so good it ruins pancake (2D) games for me.
  4. RavenFB
    Mar 23, 2020
    10
    Wow c'est tellement agréable de voir VALVe sortir un jeu. La qualité est vraiment au rendez-vous.
  5. BarTroll
    Mar 23, 2020
    10
    2 hours in and it's fantastic. Best looking vr game, and it's a full on rollercoaster just like the previous HL games. Would give it a 9 because it's lacking smooth turning, but considering the ammount of salty people dropping a 0, i'll go with a 10.
  6. JerryGST
    Mar 23, 2020
    10
    I'm only 2 1/2 hours in and i'm already scared ****
    Valve yet again showing everyone how a game is done and giving us the best VR Game on the market!
    Positives: - Stupendous Visuals - Scary as all hell - Fantastic story/characters/voice acting (So Far) - Best controls in a VR title to date - Not a Steam Exclusive ((Talking to you Oculus [Hate exclusivity in VR]) - Has multiple    I'm only 2 1/2 hours in and i'm already scared ****
    Valve yet again showing everyone how a game is done and giving us the best VR Game on the market!

    Positives:
    - Stupendous Visuals
    - Scary as all hell
    - Fantastic story/characters/voice acting (So Far)
    - Best controls in a VR title to date
    - Not a Steam Exclusive ((Talking to you Oculus [Hate exclusivity in VR])
    - Has multiple movement options for those with motion sickness
    - Not $80 CAD (Although i would have paid way more if forced to)

    Cons:
    - Very unstable frame rate even with my GTX 1070 TI (Will update this if they patch it in the future)

    Conclusion? Just buy this game if you have a VR headset and prey that VALVE makes more games in the future!    … Expand
  7. xxfactfinder
    Apr 1, 2020
    10
    Half-Life: Alyx proves to the people that Valve still got it. They are still able to deliver quality games.
  8. Schnip
    Mar 23, 2020
    10
    Alyx just ruined every other VR game for me, faak :D
    Trust me: Once you try Alyx you will not want to go back to stuff like skyrim/fallout VR.
    The only bad thing about alyx is to know that it won't last as long as above games.
    Really hoping for valve or other studios to use the engine to create more games with it.
  9. gordon9x
    Mar 23, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazing game. Hope half-life 3 coming out soon. Valve, they're made it...again.… Expand
  10. Do0m
    Mar 29, 2020
    10
    Valve did it again.
    And now in VR. One of the best and most innovating series of the video games
  11. Qosmo
    Mar 28, 2020
    10
    A masterwork for sure. I'm sure it has set a new standard for storytelling and combat virtual reality experiences. it is a prequel to a beloved franchise and exceeded all expectations.
  12. LarsTF
    Mar 27, 2020
    10
    Wonderful game. A perfectly balanced, optimized masterpiece. I don't know what to add, its the musthave for every fan of HL and Valve. 9.5/10
  13. tankx2
    Mar 27, 2020
    10
    Absolutely outstanding from beginning to end. I want to remove it from my memory so I can experience it again for the first time
  14. Dune_Jumper
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Valve has once again fundamentally changed the way games are designed and played. Flat-screen FPS games are no longer the best way to experience a story; VR is. While I'm playing I get fully enveloped in the world. The gameplay is revolutionary, the story is awesome & weird, the level of graphical fidelity and world intractability have never been seen before in a videogame. Half-Life isValve has once again fundamentally changed the way games are designed and played. Flat-screen FPS games are no longer the best way to experience a story; VR is. While I'm playing I get fully enveloped in the world. The gameplay is revolutionary, the story is awesome & weird, the level of graphical fidelity and world intractability have never been seen before in a videogame. Half-Life is back and better than ever. Thank you, Valve.
    Comments are disabled for this review.    … Expand
  15. sherbz
    Mar 26, 2020
    10
    Valve have done it again. Half Life Alyx is a mind blowing experience. From the opening sequence it is like a learning experience between you and the game. And bit by bit, piece by piece, this wonderful jigsaw begins to emerge creating an image that is both beautiful and terrifying in equal measure. There is nothing currently in gaming which can compare to this game - NOTHING. LikeValve have done it again. Half Life Alyx is a mind blowing experience. From the opening sequence it is like a learning experience between you and the game. And bit by bit, piece by piece, this wonderful jigsaw begins to emerge creating an image that is both beautiful and terrifying in equal measure. There is nothing currently in gaming which can compare to this game - NOTHING. Like its predecessor, Half life Alyx will stand on its own for a long time to come and demonstrates what this medium has the potential to deliver. It isnt my favourite game of all time, but it is certainly one of the most memorable. I played on an Oculus and happy to report everything worked fine. You will benefit from an investment in hardware though. But it is worth saving up for - or camping round a friends who will let you play it. Simply brilliant.… Expand
  16. BFM
    Mar 26, 2020
    10
    This truly feels like a game form the future.
    As much as gaming made a leap forward with Super Mario 64 or Half Life 2,
    we now need to add Half Life: Alyx as one of those milestone achievements. It is Valve's best game by a mile, and despite the timeline of it's story, this is the true successor to Half Life 2. This game delivers an immersive experience unlike anything you have    This truly feels like a game form the future.
    As much as gaming made a leap forward with Super Mario 64 or Half Life 2,
    we now need to add Half Life: Alyx as one of those milestone achievements.

    It is Valve's best game by a mile,
    and despite the timeline of it's story,
    this is the true successor to Half Life 2.

    This game delivers an immersive experience unlike anything you have ever seen.
    It is thrilling to the core of your body, and it will make you cheer out loud in joy that you can't hold back.

    This is a deeper, better gaming experience than it would be able to be without VR,
    and hopefully it's not Valve's last one.    … Expand
  17. Nidman
    Aug 2, 2020
    10
    This is about as perfect as a game could be. I didnt know games had gotten this evolved until I put my roommates Oculus Rift on and became fully immersed in this living world they've made. Classic Valve puzzles make the linear story seem like it branches. And the mechanics SCREAM VR
  18. Hutchi
    Apr 8, 2020
    10
    Masterpiece, ties up everything well and the story leads us to a bright continuity.
  19. respwn
    Apr 1, 2020
    10
    Half-Life Alyx is the Half-Life game you were hoping for and the VR game you deserve to play.

    The graphics are incredibly good and better than most VR games. The level of detail and immersion a whole new level for VR games. Almost anything that looks like being touchable actually IS touchable. VR story-rich games need this type of immersion to work. This game pushes VR content to story    Half-Life Alyx is the Half-Life game you were hoping for and the VR game you deserve to play.

    The graphics are incredibly good and better than most VR games. The level of detail and immersion a whole new level for VR games. Almost anything that looks like being touchable actually IS touchable.

    VR story-rich games need this type of immersion to work. This game pushes VR content to story games, not just experiences and arcade games.

    In HL:Alyx you can BE in the world of Half-Life.

    I loved it a lot and couldn't stop playing.    … Expand
  20. FUEGOITGRE
    Apr 12, 2020
    10
    This game is absolutely a masterpiece is a new step for the video games industry, I know that not everybody can play this game, but this game would not be the same if they don´t make it in VR. This game acts like you are in the reality with the physics, the details, is amazing! This is one of the games that everybody need to play or almost try. This type of games proves that video gamesThis game is absolutely a masterpiece is a new step for the video games industry, I know that not everybody can play this game, but this game would not be the same if they don´t make it in VR. This game acts like you are in the reality with the physics, the details, is amazing! This is one of the games that everybody need to play or almost try. This type of games proves that video games can be the eighth art.… Expand
  21. MJEED
    Mar 28, 2020
    10
    masterpiece, the environment, the game play, the soundtrack. everything is beautiful.
  22. dechyper
    Mar 23, 2020
    8
    Favorite VR game so far, beating out my previous favorite Boneworks. Fantastic story telling and wonderful atmosphere with a nice 11-13 hour campaign. I do wish there were more variety of weapons, having only three weapons, and two that are very similar, made the combat a little meh at times. The gun scopes became useless when compared to using a laser, as aiming down the sights was moreFavorite VR game so far, beating out my previous favorite Boneworks. Fantastic story telling and wonderful atmosphere with a nice 11-13 hour campaign. I do wish there were more variety of weapons, having only three weapons, and two that are very similar, made the combat a little meh at times. The gun scopes became useless when compared to using a laser, as aiming down the sights was more unreliable, and took longer. I also wish that the final fight was a little more fun, but that's just nitpicking, as it was pretty great. Overall great game, a 9/10 for VR standards, but an 8/10 for valve standards, (which is saying a lot).… Expand
  23. Charararaxd
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    easily the best vr game out there right now, and by extension the best game out there. anyone giving this game anything below an 8 is trolling
  24. Timeywimey221
    Mar 24, 2020
    10
    This game is truly something special. Probably the most immersive experience in VR I have had. I think that all the people who are review bombing this because it's a VR game need to grow up. I understand the want to play a Half-Life game/valve game but can't because they don't have a VR headset. At the same time though when I didn't have a VR headset and a bunch of games came out for it IThis game is truly something special. Probably the most immersive experience in VR I have had. I think that all the people who are review bombing this because it's a VR game need to grow up. I understand the want to play a Half-Life game/valve game but can't because they don't have a VR headset. At the same time though when I didn't have a VR headset and a bunch of games came out for it I never once dogged on them because I didn't have the hardware. I just said to myself "maybe one day" and went on with my life. The game is a master piece and I love the fact that it is a vr game. This game is so much fun and truly a wonder to behold graphically and the music! My God the music is truly an amazing score. I haven't finished the game yet but I am on chapter 6/11 and have been playing for around and 5 hours. I am going to be really sad when this ride is over and probably play it another time through. this game is truly something special. I hope that others will come around and vr will have more games like this (maybe even portal!). I understand VR is expensive but some should take the jump into it instead of a console I promise it's worth it! (Only do it if you can though don't put yourself in jeopardy just for a game!). Anyway the game is superb and a must if you have a VR headset!!

    (Made a metacritic account to just to review this game and to combat all the people reviewing who haven't even played it)    … Expand
  25. cratag4
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    Beautiful been in this is my new home for your reply but it was not gonna get a 2 to y
  26. dansukor
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Игра просто замечательная! У Валв наконец-то появились идеи и они смогли выпустить новую игру во вселенной HL. Аликс можно считать революционной игрой. Ну, а сюжет вообще взрывает, особенно в конце, так что ждём продолжение)))… Expand
  27. Sharkxx
    Mar 29, 2020
    10
    Great game with a great story. You can play it with any VR headset, the Valve headset is not required. I always loved Alyx as a character but now she got even better with funny and dialog. The new character Russel is a great addition to Half life and the Gordon team and i hope that he will be there for the next Half life.
  28. mrbiggles1111
    Mar 29, 2020
    10
    I've been gaming for about 30 years, and this is one of the most incredible, if not the most incredible, gaming experiences in my lifetime. Valve shows us what smart and creative people can do in Virtual Reality. 13 years has been a long wait, but WOW did Valve deliver!

    The levels and artwork are gorgeous. In most VR titles, since the screen is rendered twice (once for each eye)    I've been gaming for about 30 years, and this is one of the most incredible, if not the most incredible, gaming experiences in my lifetime. Valve shows us what smart and creative people can do in Virtual Reality. 13 years has been a long wait, but WOW did Valve deliver!

    The levels and artwork are gorgeous. In most VR titles, since the screen is rendered twice (once for each eye) you have to choose between fidelity and framerate. On my Ryzen 5 2600 + 1080Ti, I run in High fidelity at regular 120fps on a Valve Index. Often times VR games look simpler due to having to use a faster-for-VR rendering pipeline, but Alyx looks as good as any flat-screen AAA title. The game is highly-optimized, and sets a new bar for VR looks and performance.

    Another common issue in VR titles is that because you are so immersed i your world, you can feel quite alone. In Alyx, you have a constant virtual companion to keep you company, company that is extremely welcome given the parts of the game where the hair on the back of your neck will be standing up. Yes, this game has the horror aspects of Half-life 2, but amplified. Basically, it feels like Half-life 2, but you are IN the game, as opposed to behind the a screen.

    Some cutting-edge VR titles feature movement types and mechanics that leave players feeling a bit off.. Boneworks, for example, allows for some very interesting and fun physics interactions with the environment, but at the expense of the player at times feeling sick. You can tell Alyx was designed to make VR as comfortable and enjoyable as it could be for everyone. Some have criticized Valve's use of teleport ladders, for example, due to their use being "immersion-breaking", but nothing is more immersion-breaking, and fun-destroying, than the brain fatigue or nausea you get from your body's actual movements not matching the movements of the screen. Even as a seasoned VR gamer, I also experience fatigue from smooth locomotion or having the player controller pushed around by in-game objects. We can play the game for hours without issues.

    The sound and music, as expected, are to die for. This game is classic Half-life. The level of immersion you feel when you hear a large mechanical object suddenly land near you is simply indescribable unless you've tried VR, something you have to experience to appreciate. There are quite a few scenes and moments in this game where I experienced butterflies from the experience, or goosebumps from fear.

    While this is yet another Half-life game, and there are some old elements coming back again, it felt very fresh. Half-life 2 brought zombie elements into an alien world, and that is still there in Alyx, but you will be treated to some new and very interesting enemies that are mind-blowingly cool. The old headcrabs are back, but they feel so much more menacing,and real, in this game.

    I had very high expectations for the next Half-life title, after so long and from a company with a reputation like Valve, and all I can say is Valve did it. This game is absolutely amazing.    … Expand
  29. kryllic
    Mar 29, 2020
    9
    This is the masterpiece that VR needed to solidify itself as a viable area for developers to make experiences in. Valve is back, and this game is proof of that. If you love Half-Life, you'll love this game, and the ending.
  30. locplayx
    Mar 29, 2020
    10
    The best vr title to date.
    Just love it. Gameplay is fun and scavenging around the levels is really enjoyable. Could have more sceneries.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 2020
9
#9 Most Discussed PC Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 69 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 67 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 69
  3. Negative: 0 out of 69
  1. Areajugones
    Dec 21, 2020
    95
    Half-Life Alyx is proof that Valve is still at its best creatively. This emblematic franchise has been brought to virtual reality; in Alyx we enjoy an immersion never seen before, with comfortable and intuitive mechanics as well as excellent visuals and atmosphere that accompany this interesting adventure within the iconic saga.
    Read full review
  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    May 21, 2020
    92
    It’s a good thing that Valve didn’t add a digit to the title: from Half-Life 3 we expect nothing short of revolution, while Alyx is “merely” an amazing game. [Issue#245, p.50]
  3. Screen Rant
    May 15, 2020
    100
    A special mention should be made of the game's dialog, mainly consisting of Alyx herself and Russel, a scientist who Alex remains in constant communication with throughout the game. Their relationship feels genuine, the conversations between them are enjoyable, and almost all of the intended comedic moments land perfectly, which is something most video games seem to have trouble with.
    Read full review
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