Gécs Dániel

Those who want to try Valve’s new Half-Life game will have a small fortune, as Alyx doesn’t have enough mice and keyboards – there’s no point in installing it without a compatible VR device or combo PC running it. Anyone who has something like this, on the other hand, can see something that is only given to a very narrow layer at the moment.

the Half-Life is one of the most successful video game series of all time, so much so that even years after the launch of the first two episodes, there are still active users today. We would be very surprised if you had the latest installment, the Alyxit would not happen with this, although in the case of the base we can hardly count on the mass that was measurable in the case of the predecessors. And that’s not because we are dealing with a potentially incomplete and poorly optimized video game. Conversely.

the Alyx It looks really revolutionary, but you need background technology that is still a luxury category today.

The new Half-LifeThat is why there is no point in starting in a traditional PC environment (i.e. with a keyboard, mouse and monitor). The software is only playable if you have a large helmet, matching arms, and a very powerful computer that runs the entire system. Virtual reality (VR), also known as a promising new world of IT and entertainment, is an important addition to the recently launched Alyx and one of the most successful pieces of this modern madness. Not only do we say this, but almost everyone who may have entered the ruined city of City 17 for at least a minute.

The images are at least as advanced as the other features of the game.

Work for years

the Half-Life: Alyx It is not a continuation of the story that we have seen so far, but the software that has been released for over a decade, Half-Life and a Half-Life 2 a kind of expansion, since it is between them where it takes place. Anyway, you can also have a lot of fun with anyone who has never heard of a series, Gordon Freeman or Alyx Vance in your life. The main reason for this is that the experience provided by the game is not really the plot, but the environment that can react to our touch in almost all cases. This is also an important criterion: the compatible VR device must always be in our head or in our hands, otherwise we will not see or control anything.

Fortunately, Valve wasn’t so difficult that he could only make his game usable with his own product, the Index, released last year, the Alyx works with any VR headset for anything. (However, devices that can be connected to a phone are not included.) Of course, the appearance depends largely on the speed of the PC that controls the entire system, as well as the features that the helmet offers. We played with HTC’s expensive but more than excellent device, the Cosmos Elite, and a computer specifically designed for gamers, HP Omen, for more than a week. Thanks to the strong setting of about 700 thousand forints, the view seemed very realistic in some places, but the Alyx does not malfunction on weaker machines. Also, this is not only true for the view of enclosed spaces, but outdoor screeches can also be quite cozy.

Valve has put together eleven chapters of adventure, which is more than adequate due to the environment adapted to virtual reality. It will move more slowly between parts, because you will always find something you want to take a closer look at. Such is the case with the balcony in the opening scene of the game, where you can really see and break – you can also look at the dishes and other objects scattered on the ceiling by hand, or just throw them down the street.

The story, of course, does not enter that, as the protagonist, Alyx this is just a small curiosity of the game under your control.

No. of experience

the Alyx mainly through the medium or its association with it. This practically means that the movements made actually have a concrete effect on the software. Like opening a door or drawers, which can be done by moving the hand instead of pressing a button, as we do in real life. In addition, almost all objects respond to our touch, so you can cover the cubes, boxes or break the window glass to verify from a safe distance what awaits us inside.

It is helpful to experience past experiences that the player does not see a rabbit tail area that the monitor can display, but everything around it. And that, exactly with the HTC device, at 2880 x 1700 pixels. With the videos, it is not very possible to return what it feels like to be there, discover and especially fight. the Alyx Because, although it may seem like simple fun in many ways, it is a complete video game with many features. Therefore, there are also many enemies. In addition to the gravity glove, which is one of the jewels of our team (this allows us to pull various objects, even from a greater distance), the game also provides an upgradeable pistol and shotgun. They also do not reload as we have seen millions of console games for PC:

After the last sculptor, we can release the magazine with one of the buttons on the controller, with the other reaching behind us, and remove the new one from the backpack placed there. All you need to do is snap it to its previous location, sharpen it, point it at you, and continue shooting.

Meanwhile, the game is constantly “transporting” new enemies that are getting closer to us. Therefore, recharging can cause particularly exciting situations, but it is Alyx It doesn’t get boring when we just walk around, enter new rooms and hallways, or solve puzzles. First Half-LifeThese were the innovations that were considered an experience, but like the gameplay, they changed a lot: on the one hand, with a special structure, a type of laser screwdriver, you have to hit the power grid behind the wall, and on the other you have than guide the beam to the point. then unlock the room. The controller, meanwhile, signals with subtle vibration that we’ve solved the mystery.

Thanks to the above, you also have approximately 10-15 hours of play time. Alyxbut due to the scarier and more challenging parts, it could be more. Here we note that in dark places, where only uncomfortable suckers or chewing sounds can be heard, the experience can be downright horrifying, but it only happens occasionally. Fortunately, most of the game takes place in lighted rooms.

The team

the Alyx Not only is the background technology a prerequisite for starting it: according to the information, the equipment must be packed and operated in a place where the user will certainly not be disturbed for the next few hours. (Let’s say that “hours” is an exaggeration, because it is so impossible to spend so much at the same time, we will explain why immediately).

For the HTC build (in addition to headphones and drivers), the manufacturer also provides two base stations that must also be powered on. This is because they give space to the game or, if you wish, the ring where the whole show takes place. Devices about the size of a cup should be placed at a greater distance from each other, preferably with one behind us and the other in front of us, but should also be seen. Riding is not a great art anyway, because everything has a place. Therefore, it can hardly be ruined. It can cause a much bigger dilemma as to where to put the stations:

  • make sure not to kick or knock them down (boxes need to be stacked higher, for example on a shelf);

  • in the resulting plethora of cables, neither he nor anyone else should fall face down;

  • And it doesn’t matter how much space we can use to play.

Improper implementation of the above can cause a number of issues that unfortunately can greatly dampen the experience. To be a more objective grade: those who live in the studio probably won’t have this next purchase, even if they have money for it anyway. From this point of view, PC / console video games still save much more space, but this experience is not comparable to the virtual reality adventure. (You can also buy a wireless adapter for HTC anyway.)

As for the hours you spend in it, it’s worth knowing that the virtual medium can put a lot of pressure on the brain, which in practice means that it can cause dizziness or nausea, but not really and not for everyone. used to report. the Alyx in the case of, we do not experience any of them, although we do not choose the form of movement that could trigger such a thing. The game also offers continuous progress and “jump” like a click, the latter being much less strenuous.

verdict

Probably not a surprise when we write that it’s Alyx It is very different from the virtual reality games presented so far. And the truth is, as the story progresses, we will not feel different. At most, we will open our mouths even bigger, or much more “faithful”, and murmur “my Jesus”, because this game sometimes takes things like that from a person. Exciting, detailed and full of surprises: what a good game should be like.

The software was rated 10 out of 10 points.

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The coronavirus is the greatest crisis of our time, in which it is literally vital to discover it from an authentic source. At HVG, we are committed to this mission even in this situation: to provide accurate, objective and independent information to our readers.

Support our work to bring you up-to-date information even in difficult circumstances.

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