HALF LIFE ALYX AND THE STATE OF VR

Five years ago, when the first practical VR headsets became available to consumers at a reasonable price, the hype and potential surrounding the technology seemed endless. But half a decade later, it still feels like the tech is in its adolescence.

Due to this fact, the high price of adoption, and the lack of triple A titles on the platform, interest in virtual reality gaming has steadily waned. Although much has been done to improve the experience of VR, the platform still lacks a “killer app” that will give customers a real reason to invest in the potential of the technology.

However, that might not be the case for long. 

Ever since Valve and HTC first announced their plan to partner in order to develop a premium VR headset, gamers knew it would only be a matter of time before the developer would return to pioneer the industry with another installment in their biggest franchise. But, after seven years have passed since their last notable game release, and the utter failure that was Artifact, is Valve still capable of greatness?

“Half-Life” is a name in gaming that carries a weight and a prestige that few others are afforded. In fact, the standards that the first two games set were so high that in fear of not living up to fan expectations, Valve famously sequestered away the franchise for over a decade. After realizing the next entry in the series was beginning to go through development hell, the long awaited sequel to Half-Life 2: Episode 2 was put on ice.

TIMING IS RIGHT 

Now, 13 years after the last Half-Life expansion came out, a new game is finally being released: “Half-Life Alyx.” Having come along at just the right time in VR gaming’s life to give it the resuscitation it has been so desperately craving, Alyx is set to be the first notable VR game release since the technology reached the PS4.

Is it going to be capable of innovating the platform enough to convince people to invest in their own headset?

The game may not be the sequel fans have been waiting for, but this prequel should satiate gamers for now – at least the ones who can afford to play it. Being a VR-only experience, Alyx has automatically limited its potential player base to those who have the spare income to spend on a headset. Valve also has gone one step further, and decided to limit the game exclusively to PC for the time being.

Although this is not necessarily an issue, Valve risks not casting a wide enough net, if the goal is to attract new players to the franchise, and VR gaming as a whole. Perhaps there will be a Playstation port at some point, but for the time being, Half-Life Alyx relegates itself to PC gaming enthusiasts who already own a capable computer and headset, and fans of the series with enough disposable income who have also been holding out for a reason to purchase a VR gaming setup.

Due to Half-Life’s extended time out of the spotlight, the general brand recognition and insane fervor surrounding the series has declined so much over the years that there is potential for Alyx to underperform, despite how good or innovative the game may be.

With less than a month left before the game hits store shelves, the fate of Half-Life Alyx will be known soon enough. With any luck, Valve will have continued its trend as a stellar game developer. Judging from official gameplay footage, Alyx looks promising and seems to provide the delicately crafted virtual reality experience that VR as a platform has been lacking.

FOCUS ON IMMERSION

According to Half-Life Alyx developers Robin Walker and Greg Coomer, no expense has been spared when it comes to immersion. Valve has been working tirelessly for the past few years to ensure that every action the player takes is as intuitive as possible, such as moving and manipulating objects. Though it is invisible, by using an actual player model, instead of just a floating head like most VR titles, more polish and attention to realism has been afforded to the ways the player interacts the environment.

While there are many ways to navigate Half-Life Alyx, unlike many VR titles that utilize a teleport style of locomotion, the “teleport” system of movement in this new game has been designed to behave like other more traditional movement systems. Instead of being able to teleport through a game level, passing through geometry and ignoring enemies, players will have to move around objects and interact with spaces in a more realistic way. In order to maintain immersion, a number of audio cues and other visual indicators have been used in conjunction with this unique take on VR locomotion, providing what will hopefully be one of the most seamless virtual reality experiences to date. 

Of course, there is more to be excited about when it comes to Half-Life Alyx, such as the story, or the gorgeously updated Source engine graphics.

However, for most gamers, just the simple fact that players will be able to return to the world of Half-Life will be enough to keep their attention. Is this enough to give VR the revival it has been seeking? The potential is there and the possibilities are endless.

For now, the only thing we can do is wait and see.