Half-Life Alyx has finally been revealed as the next true step for the Half-Life series from Valve. Though some were disappointed to see that the next phase of Half-Life is a VR exclusive, Valve has mentioned that they didn’t want to do another Half-Life game unless they were sure they could turn the industry on its head just like the first two titles did for the shooting genre. Now more and more names in the industry are getting some hands-on time with it, including Xbox head Phil Spencer.
Spencer had a chance to play a bit of what Half-Life Alyx has to offer pre-announcement and while he said his time with the title was “amazing,” it’s not enough to make Microsoft as a whole to pivot over into the VR world. In a response to someone on Twitter, Spencer said “I’ve said publically, I love how our industry has pioneered: AI, physics, 3D, RT, VR/AR etc. For us, it’s about focus on our innovations right now. I’ve played some great VR games, I got to play HL:Alyx in the summer, amazing. It’s just not our focus with Scarlett.”
Fair feedback. I’ve said publically, I love how our industry has pioneered: AI, physics, 3D, RT, VR/AR etc. For us, it’s about focus on our innovations right now. I’ve played some great VR games, I got to play HL:Alyx in the summer, amazing. It’s just not our focus with Scarlett
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) November 27, 2019
As for the game itself, fans got their first look at the new Half-Life last month with a video that teased more horror elements than ever before. According to Valve, “Playing as Alyx Vance, you are humanity’s only chance for survival. The Combine’s control of the planet since the Black Mesa incident has only strengthened as they corral the remaining population in cities. Among them are some of Earth’s greatest scientists: you and your father, Dr. Eli Vance.
“As founders of a fledgling Resistance, you’ve continued your clandestine scientific activity—performing critical research, and building invaluable tools for the few humans brave enough to defy the Combine.”
Between the challenging new puzzles and horrifying storyline, Alyx aims to give a new Half-Life experience while providing something entirely new to the fanbase at the same time. As for which platforms Half-Life: Alyx will be compatible with for those that don’t want to shell out a ton of cash for Index:
- Valve Index
- HTC Vive
- Oculus Rift
- Oculus Quest (with PC link)
- Windows Mixed Reality
Half-Life: Alyx is available to pre-order now through Steam exclusively on PC.You can also check out the full reveal trailer below:
