Half-life Alyx
A love-letter to Half-life.
US$59.99, PC, www.half-life.com
Half Life: Alyx is a technological marvel, but more importantly, it’s the best game you can play in VR right now. A shooter that makes you feel smart, coupled with a truly immersive experience that will impress Half-Life hardliners and newcomers alike.
You play as Alyx Vance, working your way through City 17, trying to save your father, Eli. It would be a lonely mission if it weren’t for Russell, who – thanks to a headset – chats to you along the way. In a masterstroke of casting, he’s played by Rhys Darby from What We Do In The Shadows (“werewolves not swear wolves”) and the banter is warm, funny, and never irritating.
He’s also the one that talks you through your various kit, gravity gloves that hark back to the fan-favorite gravity gun and let you whip ammo and health and, well, anything, into the air and then catch it. Using them is surprisingly intuitive, and there are lots of chances to have fun with them as you explore the world. One memorable moment took place in a vodka distillery and let’s just say... a smashing time was had.
As well as the gloves, Alyx collects a pistol, a shotgun, and a combine weapon, all which can be upgraded with resin you find hidden in the world. She also has an electromagnetic pulse multitool which is no use in combat, but can help redirect power in circuits, hack containers, and disarm tripwires, and there are mini-games that need a steady hand to go with each activity.
There are moments of genuine dread - dark corridors lit only by a tiny beam of light from your glove, being hunted by Jeff, and a major battle at the end of the game has left me with a sore shoulder and an alert on my Apple Watch as it seemed like I was in the middle of a workout. Fear not though, those with nerves of wool and dodgy tickers, the team at Valve has gone mercifully easy on the jump scares, so the tension is more one of creeping panic and nervous vigilance rather than a constant barrage of surprise headcrabs.
This could be one of the best reasons to invest in VR gaming we’ve ever seen. Rachel Weber