Half - Life Alyx

No one was expecting a full-fledged continuation of the cult Halfa. However, 12 years after the release of the last part, Valve announced Half-Life Alyx. The game will be released only for computers with a VR headset. Events will take place between the first and second parts. The game is expected to be released in March 2020.

Features

The main feature is that the game can be played only from a computer on Windows and only with the help of a VR headset (several models are available). The helmet and motion controller is expensive, but pre-orders showed that the risk was justified. The game is made on the Source 2 engine.

Valve has long had plans to make a game for VR headsets. Two large universes were suitable for this: Half-Life or Portal. But since in the Portal the players feel discomfort from dizziness even without helmets, the choice fell on Halfa. And the decision to describe the events between the first and second part is dictated by the developers' concerns about the high demands of the players for a direct sequel.

Blogger Adam Savage has already played on 8 different devices (including VR from Valve), reviewed Half-Life Alyx, where he shared the following impressions:

the gameplay is designed for 15 hours, so you will have to play for a long time;
there is no auto-aiming, so you need to learn to shoot. You can go to the shooting range;

it is advisable to use the VR kit Valve Index. All fingers can be used there, and the controls are much easier. This is to be expected since the game was made specifically for this model;

there is a budget option - Windows Mixed Reality. But here the main character develops "myopia", which is why it is impossible to bring your palms to your face;

moving up the stairs is done in the form of "teleportation" (those who have suffered with them before can breathe peacefully);

but you can climb on cabinets and interact with small objects;

to get the cartridges, you need to remove them from behind the virtual back;

the main attraction of the game will be realistic graphics.
both hands are needed almost everywhere. You won't be able to reload the weapon alone. Even opening doors will require both hands;

Plot

The protagonist is the girl Alex Vance (from the second part), the daughter of Eli Vance. The game tells about the formation of resistance, the fight against the alien invaders of the "Alliance". Events will unfold all in the same city of City 17, presumably located in Eastern Europe. This is all the information that is available from the official Valve newsletter.

However, some facts can be obtained from the trailer:

there will be no legendary gravity gun (it has not yet been invented according to the plot);
showed some new enemy creatures that were in development but were cut out in Half-Life 2;
some enemy creatures are supposed to use electricity;
it will probably be possible to catch headcrabs in flight (but this is not certain);
perhaps for the first time in the Halfa universe, the player will be able to play as a speaking character;
for various reasons, the main character and her father will now be voiced by other actors (but this applies to the English version);
of course, Gordon Freeman will not be in the game;
but G-man will appear, and perhaps even his secret will be revealed;
the game will become more bloody;
the trailer shows the under-construction of the central building of City 17, which is a deviation from the canon (in the second part it was said that the whole structure was teleported);
changed the models of many opponents (except for aliens);
a new type of puzzles will appear when it is necessary to redirect energy in the electrical panel;
a new character will appear - Russell;
all weapons in the game may be one-handed since there have always been problems with the animation of two-handed weapons in VR;
new weapons will appear to replace some of the old models;
perhaps Alex will have to rescue his father from captivity.

but the main element in the game will be gravitational gloves, with which you can perform various manipulations;

Requirements

Half-Life Alyx - требования

The official website lists the following virtual reality devices with which the game will be compatible:

Valve Index;
HTC Vive;
Oculus Rift;
Oculus Quest;
Windows Mixed Reality.
Half Life Alyx computer requirements are as follows:
Windows 10;
Core i5-7500 / Ryzen-5-1600;
operational - 12 GB;
GTX 1060 / RX 580 card - 6GB VRAM

Other technical requirements for the PC have not yet been disclosed. However, based on the videos available on the Internet of various people testing the game, it can be concluded:

It will turn out to be of good quality, it will be possible to interact with any objects (even the bodies of enemies) and fire from various positions.
At the same time, the game will not make any revolution in VR technologies. It will only try to get the most out of modern possibilities.

Where could I buy

The Half-Life Alyx release date is March 2020. The game will immediately be available in Russian. It can be downloaded by pre-order from the Steam store. The regular price is $ 59.99 and the pre-order discount is $ 53.99. At the same time, owners of the helmet and Valve Index controllers will be able to get the game for free.