Half-Life: Alyx

Overview

Half Life: Alyx is a must-play game worthy of the series' legacy. Despite some puzzles and encounters that feel like filler, the overall experience is strong. The stunning setpieces, beautiful world, and smart writing stand out no matter the medium, and mark a return to form for Valve. If you were waiting for a killer app before you made the investment into virtual reality, this is it.

-- As reviewed by GameInformer

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 20 expert reviews

Excellent:

19
Good:

1
Average:

0
Bad:

0

9.3

User Score

Based on 75,306 reviews
as rated by users

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Last revision on August 21, 2024

Reviewers Liked

Powerful and wildly fascinating implications for the series amplified by VR
Tense, oppressive and terrifying atmosphere throughout
Sound design places its creepy, compelling elements, including a Half-Life-caliber soundtrack, in a believable 360-degree dome around players

Reviewers Didn't Like

Doesn't do much we haven't seen in other VR games
Some puzzles become repetitive overtime
Slow to start

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Expert reviews and ratings

Mere minutes into Half-Life: Alyx, I encountered a Strider. These behemoths cast ominous shadows on all who dare pass beneath them, their spindly legs and jagged haunches forming a silhouette of sheer threat. I gazed up at the Strider in awe. I could...

By TechSpot on March 29, 2020

I took my time with Half-Life: Alyx, partly due to limited hours in the day but mostly because each new area was a joy to thoroughly explore, sifting through the wreckage, corpses and otherwordly fungus to turn up the tools of survival. Half-Life: Alyx is an incredible journey, worth every second of the nineteen hours from start to epic finish, and an adventure worthy not only of the Half-Life name but also the enhanced expectations that grew during the series’ thirteen year absence.

By HardcoreGamer on April 15, 2020

100

Half-Life is one of those video games that people just know about. People outside of the world of video games have heard of Half-Life, and people who do play games definitely know about it. Half-Life is considered by many to be the greatest shooter...

By Gaming Age on April 08, 2020

Oh City 17, how I've missed you.When Valve Software announced Half-Life: Alyx I was truly surprised. When they said it was for VR only, I was floored. I know Valve had a few titles in the pipeline when they released the Valve Index headset, but I don't...

By Gaming Nexus on April 06, 2020

An incredible, best-in-class achievement that could only be done in VR, with excellent voice acting, sublime visuals and audio and, yes, a truly Half-Life story.

By God is a Geek on April 03, 2020

Tight gunplay and a solid, ambitious crack at AAA VR mean that Half-Life: Alyx is one of the big hits of virtual reality. While the combat could be a little too mellow for some, the ambulatory opening is dripping with atmosphere and provides a nice way for players new to VR to get familiar.

By TechAdvisor on March 27, 2020

Naturally, monumental expectations accompany the first Half-Life game in 13 years, and for the iconic franchise's return to come in the form of a VR exclusive is undoubtedly bold. But at each step of the way, Half-Life: Alyx proves that almost...

By GameSpot on March 27, 2020

Valve has surpassed impossible expectations with Half-Life: Alyx, bringing a series long thought buried back into the limelight with extraordinary impact. While some might find it unfortunate that such an experience is housed inside virtual reality, I feel it's an innovative step forward for the series. If you have the means to play it, Half-Life: Alyx is absolutely essential.

By TrustedReviews on March 25, 2020

It's an incredible adaption of a cherished series to a platform that does nothing but enhance what makes it special. As I took off my headset for the last time, I found myself thinking Valve can't keep us waiting another decade-plus between games. Half-Life: Alyx reinvigorated my love for Half-Life. We can only hope it similarly reinvigorated Valve.

By Destructoid on March 23, 2020

The ending is, frankly, wonderful, surprising, exciting, not to mention more than a bit puzzling when you really stop to think about it. I'm eager to see Half-Life fans react and dissect and discuss it, as I'm sure they will for months afterwards, and it makes all sorts of follow-ups to Half-Life: Alyx seem possible. I just fervently hope whatever that follow-up is, that Valve (please, please) doesn't make us wait another 13 years for it.

By PCGamer on March 23, 2020

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Half-Life: Alyx

Overview

Pros & Cons

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Price: $59

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