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. NateVanDeusen
    Apr 14, 2020
    9
    Best VR game I’ve ever played. Took me a day or two to acclimate to the controls and not get motion sickness but after that the game was a blast. Wish there was some more post game content but can’t win them all.
  2. TitantraderZ
    May 4, 2020
    9
    Fantastic. This is the first major VR game and it is great. The story is fantastic, gameplay is great. I feel that at points the game is stale, but the graphics are gorgeous and the novelty of seeing a vortigaunt never wears off and the ending is up there with the greats, my jaw was dropped the whole time. Summary: If you have a VR it's a no brainer, but if you don't have one maybe waitFantastic. This is the first major VR game and it is great. The story is fantastic, gameplay is great. I feel that at points the game is stale, but the graphics are gorgeous and the novelty of seeing a vortigaunt never wears off and the ending is up there with the greats, my jaw was dropped the whole time. Summary: If you have a VR it's a no brainer, but if you don't have one maybe wait but if you want to reward the creativity and risk taken by Valve buy one and get this game you will not regret it.… Expand
  3. A12345K
    May 5, 2020
    9
    Half-Life: Alyx絕對是我玩過的VR遊戲裡最棒的沒有之一。V社不但融合了過去自家遊戲的元素內容，而且替VR產業帶來了全新的遊戲體驗跟標竿。

    這種體驗不是鍵鼠可以辦到的，平面的螢幕無法像雙眼直接看到場景般壯闊，鍵盤與滑鼠的操作更無法比直接用雙手觸碰這個世界來的全面。 雖然依舊有許多人無法玩到這款遊戲，但如果當某日有機會遊玩時，尤其是戰慄時空的粉絲，這款遊戲絕對值得戴上VR頭盔踏上這趟旅程，用雙眼雙手接觸這個世界。    Half-Life: Alyx絕對是我玩過的VR遊戲裡最棒的沒有之一。V社不但融合了過去自家遊戲的元素內容，而且替VR產業帶來了全新的遊戲體驗跟標竿。

    這種體驗不是鍵鼠可以辦到的，平面的螢幕無法像雙眼直接看到場景般壯闊，鍵盤與滑鼠的操作更無法比直接用雙手觸碰這個世界來的全面。

    雖然依舊有許多人無法玩到這款遊戲，但如果當某日有機會遊玩時，尤其是戰慄時空的粉絲，這款遊戲絕對值得戴上VR頭盔踏上這趟旅程，用雙眼雙手接觸這個世界。
  4. ProfAmateur
    Mar 21, 2021
    9
    Dieses Spiel ist der Durchbruch für VR-Gaming. Sicher kann man einige Sachen verbessern aber es ist eine echte Pionierarbeit.
  5. GeneralRew
    Jun 21, 2020
    9
    Truly a great game to bring back the Half-Life franchise. Best VR experience so far.
  6. param1209
    Jun 23, 2020
    9
    Brilliant Game.
    Marvel not technology.
    Hope to see non VR versions as well.
    Steam VR is best fot this
  7. Starnas
    Jan 28, 2022
    9
    Half Life: Alyx really shows the potential of what VR gaming has to offer. It clearly shows that there are some experiences only VR can accomplish, and I'm 100% certain it laid the groundworks for triple A VR games to come out in the future. Is it a perfect game on it's own? No. But it does have a unique experience you can't replicate in a non-VR way.
  8. Saladin10
    Jun 22, 2020
    9
    Thank you valve for making this a reality!
    You got a VR HMD? Get this game!
    You don't have a VR HMD? Stop whining get a VR HMD and get this game!
  9. Vasya2314
    Jun 25, 2020
    9
    Очень понравился опыт ВР в данной игре.Являюсь фанатом серии и очень ждал какую-либо игру от Valve
  10. OtherworldGuy
    Jun 28, 2020
    9
    This is a technical achievement as a VR game. It is also a satisfying piece of storytelling for those that have been waiting so long for.
  11. Sadra69
    Jul 3, 2020
    9
    Best VR game ever,puzzels,story,gameplay and music valve made another masterpiece
  12. Fpscritic
    Apr 25, 2021
    9
    The fact that this game is VR-Only really bugs me, i don't know if Valve is going the right direction or not but many people don't have access to this game my buddy has the money for VR but he really doesn't want to buy a thing that he will probably only use once, but it's still good to see valve making games.
  13. Alegotron
    Jan 28, 2021
    9
    Specs: RX580 8GB Red Dragon Powercolor, jet engine model.
    R5 3600
    Oculus Quest 1, virtual desktop wireless PCVR streaming. Compared to PSVR and native Quest games, Half-Life Alyx, even on medium fidelity, looks pretty good. the art style and use of light and shadows is done pretty good. The controls, even on a Quest set-up, also work very well, with smooth locomotion options and some    Specs: RX580 8GB Red Dragon Powercolor, jet engine model.
    R5 3600
    Oculus Quest 1, virtual desktop wireless PCVR streaming.

    Compared to PSVR and native Quest games, Half-Life Alyx, even on medium fidelity, looks pretty good. the art style and use of light and shadows is done pretty good. The controls, even on a Quest set-up, also work very well, with smooth locomotion options and some pretty nice VR interactivity. Shooting feels nice, although I would have much preferred body mounted UI with holsters, shoulder holsters, and a utility belt to the button swipe weapon switching. Mild nitpick anyways, the game lets you eject your magazine, place a new one in and slide the rack back, which still is not done by every vr game. While I'm nitpicking, as a left handed shooter, a body mounted UI would have let me freely switch hands between weapons, (right hand for handguns, left hand for shotguns, just like in real life for me) but as it is with a lot of VR games, your weapon is stuck to your primary hand. If you want the gun on the left side it switches locomotion to the right controller, and considering character movement has been mapped to the left side of any controller since the NES, I cannot adapt to that. So I'm stuck shooting right handed, which works better in this game than most for me, but not ideal as I am nearly blind in my right eye. Overall, the controls work well, are easily memorized and never lose tracking or otherwise fail me.

    The gameplay is very good, but not great. If you've played other Half Life games, I'll have you know that general level traversal is pretty much the same. Linear paths, broken up with secret item caches, enemies, and a decent amount of problem solving and mild puzzle elements. I think VR suits the problem solving aspects of Half Life very well. Little gimmicks like pushing barrels over to pull a valve handle off of a broken railing, turning it with your own hands, smashing boxes and throwing trash away to find missing batteries and ammo work really well and are really immersive. The combat, however, can be a bit generic. This is the kind of game you get as a full package, because if you were expecting top of the line VR action and mechanics, this is gonna mildly disappoint. The combat is very slow paced, and really spread out. You'll only be fighting 2-5 enemies at one time for the most part, and they aren't nearly as aggressive or resourceful as in past Half-Life games. The combat IS fun, but compared to the past Half-Life games, Robo Recall, Sairento, Superhot, even the general feel of Pavlov were that a singleplayer game, it just felt like combat in Alyx went in safe and didn't take any risks. Probably in the name of character legitimacy, since Alyx Vance is not Gordon Freeman. Combat is functional, nice, and in character, I just thought it could be a little better.

    Exploration on the other hand is done much better. The gravity gloves are REALLY gimmicky. But damn, they are fun. Just flick that object towards you and catch it, it doesn't get old. I'm always on the hunt for Resin, a material you collect to upgrade your weapons. It highly rewards slow, methodical exploration, and going out of your way to look through every nook and cranny. It's satisfying to come by in a well hidden spot, and in my opinion, prevents the game from feeling too much like a walking simulator. Hunting for resin is one of the most enjoyable parts of the game for me.

    Overall, it's a very solid game. It's a full length game, not just an experience, and it has AAA level design compared to some other decent VR games that feel like mobile games made for VR. I do think if it wasn't for the VR gimmick, people wouldn't be as impressed by the game, and neither would I. A game like this just wouldn't be as fun to play on a flat screen like the other games, because it's a lot slower paced and personal than Half Life 2. As a VR game though, it goes leaps and bounds above what most games made for VR do with their world building and gameplay length. Worth a buy? Yes.    … Expand
  14. Al_SotskOFF
    Feb 1, 2021
    9
    Hello there. Yeah series of the Half-life games have been legendary. Alyx continue it worthy; bringing new creatures, combines, to our understanding of the Half-Life world. At expense of VR we can dive in the days, going up to the second part. Alyx shows us the cities captured by the Alliances from the other side: architecture is not yet so disfigured, a cat is sitting on the balcony. TheHello there. Yeah series of the Half-life games have been legendary. Alyx continue it worthy; bringing new creatures, combines, to our understanding of the Half-Life world. At expense of VR we can dive in the days, going up to the second part. Alyx shows us the cities captured by the Alliances from the other side: architecture is not yet so disfigured, a cat is sitting on the balcony. The plot in the game is quite fascinating, there is a shooter and action. And for this we love Half-Life Alyx. The game deserves 9 points… Expand
  15. HarborMan3838
    May 18, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The choice to make this game VR exclusive really botters me, i've been always against the exclusivity in the industry, there are more ways to compete and innovate than making sth exclusive. The game is worth playing and a great VR experience that is certainly one of the best in this niche market but Half-Life brand is as of now in a limbo, an unfinished narrative that is certainly going to take a lot of time to be finished, the original game certainly can enjoy a remaster by valve, but this entry while being reasonably good, didn't satisfy me. It's not worth getting a VR set just for this game because you are not going to use it after playing this game, the fact that they messed with the end of episode 2 is a bit annoying but let's not judge too fast and see what valve has in mind for this franchise.… Expand
  16. Flaks
    Apr 4, 2022
    9
    Very good game. Very great interactivity and a lot of player interaction with the world. Good graphics, game design and thoughtfulness.
  17. Askel
    Oct 22, 2021
    9
    A really amazing experience. The only drawbacks is the price point of hardware which is hardly the games fault in reality. Story is a bit bland but all the ambience and places you visit are well crafted and truly nice to look at.
  18. BaldursThones
    Jun 22, 2022
    9
    The best VR game I have ever played. Its the only VR game I have played where I forgot I was in VR.
  19. 3ls0ul
    Mar 6, 2023
    9
    Este juego aún no lo eh jugado o completado, así que pondré una reseña y nota diferentes cuando lo haga.
  20. rockodagamer
    Nov 16, 2022
    9
    This is one of the best VR games ive ever played, the horror part of the game can be way to scary depending on how scared you get playing games, if you are normally scared playing games i recommend you turn on developer commentary.
  21. MadAdventurer
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    This game just don't get full score because I wanted to play it like a 'regular' shooter, no VR stuff. But God... the game is great! And G-Man is a hot grandpa!
  22. pi972
    Mar 26, 2020
    8
    A level of polish, attention to detail, beauty, cohesion and writing yet unseen in VR, marred by unfortunately safe (as in not innovative) and repetitive gameplay. Nevertheless, a must buy for all VR owners, as its gameplay, too, gets much better in the second half.
  23. NordicSnow
    Apr 6, 2020
    8
    Alyx is as conservative as it is groundbreaking. I don't really know what I was expecting from it, as the company that made it has notoriously been out of the game making loop for years, and Alyx definitely shows that. The game's mechanics all feel next to identical, if a little dumbed down compared to previous HL games. You go through a set of linear levels solving puzzles and fightingAlyx is as conservative as it is groundbreaking. I don't really know what I was expecting from it, as the company that made it has notoriously been out of the game making loop for years, and Alyx definitely shows that. The game's mechanics all feel next to identical, if a little dumbed down compared to previous HL games. You go through a set of linear levels solving puzzles and fighting both human and monstrous foes with an assortment of weapons. The only difference is that this time you only have three weapons to choose from, with only two being particularly viable for most of the game. Combined with a slight ammo drought, the lack of melee feels kind of jarring.

    Although the game doesn't break boundaries in terms of gameplay, it still feels that way just due to just how damn polished it is. It's the little things that you don't even think about that sell it best. The enemies react to everything in a super natural way, with hundreds of procedural animations that play out in front of you in real time. The sound design is fantastic, with every step feeling just right. Overall the entire game just is an experience to play, and the fact that you're not even conscious about it all makes it all the better.

    I do have some complaints. While the teleport movement is some of the best I've seen, I still vastly prefer the smooth locomotion option which feels like an afterthought. Several points, namely jumping, absolutely require teleporting, and as Alyx cannot sprint the movement speed is far too low. You'll end up having to teleport anyways, especially in combat, which isn't ideal in my mind. I also with the weapons were just a tad more physical. two handed aiming would have been nice.

    These points are mostly just nitpicks, but they still are there. Compared to other VR experiments like Boneworks, I think Alyx is not the perfect VR game Still, Alyx just does much more right than any other VR game out there to the point where it's easy to forgive it's failings. If you have the hardware, this is the game you're looking for. You won't regret it even for a second.    … Expand
  24. Kelen
    Oct 13, 2021
    8
    8/10 - Very good.
    (after 27 hours of playing & completing the game)
    A sensational VR game, it restores my faith in this universe. A slightly horror-like atmosphere, a sensational ending. Fighting with melee weapons is missing. Shooting is very enjoyable, the need to manually reload the weapon is really cool. You can pick up a lot of items and even deflect a jumping headcrab with    8/10 - Very good.
    (after 27 hours of playing & completing the game)

    A sensational VR game, it restores my faith in this universe. A slightly horror-like atmosphere, a sensational ending.

    Fighting with melee weapons is missing.
    Shooting is very enjoyable, the need to manually reload the weapon is really cool.

    You can pick up a lot of items and even deflect a jumping headcrab with them, but it won't deal any damage to him.

    Unique VR experience.
    I played the game slowly and played with everything I could find.
    Great graphics and lots of beautiful places. It was a really fun experience to play through this game

    I was playing VR on Oculus Quest 2 and Samsung HMD Odyssey + (Windows Mixed Reality)    … Expand
  25. Wueby
    Mar 23, 2020
    8
    This is a very well polished game, however they definitely developed it with comfort in mind. The gameplay mechanics are simple and frankly could use a boost from looking at Boneworks. Fewer bugs than Boneworks, but still. It’s an over all great game.
  26. 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
  27. splix_es
    Mar 25, 2020
    8
    вроже не плохо, хорошая графика даже в принципе, для массового потребления норм
  28. Thejodjeremie
    Jan 24, 2022
    8
    I played the game through oculus quest 2 link cable and I really enjoyed it.the graphics looked good to me. The music, gameplay, and story were all awesome.
  29. hoanns
    Oct 16, 2020
    8
    A really cool vr game with a long story and well thought out VR interactions
  30. Goorman1996
    Jun 24, 2022
    8
    Probably the best VR title so far. I'm not going to debate weather that game has exceeded my own expectations or not, but this is a worthy continuation.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
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  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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