This review contains spoilers
Best VR game of all time? Yeah pretty much.
Alyx still proves that Valve can make an engrossing experience from beginning to end while also moving the franchise forward in interesting ways. I thought the VR experience wouldn't add much but I can firmly say that isn't the case, as Alyx really does make use of EVERYTHING Virtual Reality has to offer and then some. It's not all perfect as some of the puzzles can be a bit tedious and a bit too tech demo but the good heavily outweighs the bad in this case. What shocked me with Alyx was just how great its level design and pacing were, with each chapter feeling excellent to go through and no wasted time (special highlights go to Jeff and the finale). Combat remains consistent but I do wish you had a bit more to work with, mainly a long ranged weapon would've been nice because some of these encounters can be a bit long. Story is of course the star of the show, with Alyx proving to be a fantastic lead (much better than she was in all of HL2 and its episodes) alongside a phenomenal side character in Russel. The ending in particular might just be my favorite of the franchise, with the entire Gman sequence leaving me speechless.
Can't say I'd recommend a VR device JUST for Alyx but if you have one I'd easily say give it a go. The second best Half Life game with the original (or Black Mesa) reining supreme.
9/10
Alyx still proves that Valve can make an engrossing experience from beginning to end while also moving the franchise forward in interesting ways. I thought the VR experience wouldn't add much but I can firmly say that isn't the case, as Alyx really does make use of EVERYTHING Virtual Reality has to offer and then some. It's not all perfect as some of the puzzles can be a bit tedious and a bit too tech demo but the good heavily outweighs the bad in this case. What shocked me with Alyx was just how great its level design and pacing were, with each chapter feeling excellent to go through and no wasted time (special highlights go to Jeff and the finale). Combat remains consistent but I do wish you had a bit more to work with, mainly a long ranged weapon would've been nice because some of these encounters can be a bit long. Story is of course the star of the show, with Alyx proving to be a fantastic lead (much better than she was in all of HL2 and its episodes) alongside a phenomenal side character in Russel. The ending in particular might just be my favorite of the franchise, with the entire Gman sequence leaving me speechless.
Can't say I'd recommend a VR device JUST for Alyx but if you have one I'd easily say give it a go. The second best Half Life game with the original (or Black Mesa) reining supreme.
9/10