After 13 years, we will finally be getting a brand new Half-Life game, and it is… VR exclusive? Why?
While Valve’s reasoning for making it VR-exclusive is now well documented, that status may have made many confused about what exactly this game is supposed to be. Is it a spin-off? A new episode (remember those? Those were good times). Well, no. According to Valve, this is the next big Half-Life game. It’s not a spin-off or any such thing: this is the next big entry in the Half-Life universe.
“Half-Life: Alyx is set in the aftermath of the Combine invasion of Earth, before the return of Gordon Freeman in Half-Life 2. While it does take place before the events of Half-Life 2, we actually recommend that you play through Half-Life 2: Episode 2 before you play Half-Life: Alyx, for reasons that will become clear as you progress. It’s not a side story, nor an episodic one — it’s the next part of the Half-Life story,” Valve programmer David Speyrer said to The Verge.
The very presence of a new, full Half-Life game seems to offer some hope, however faint, that some day, we may just get Half-Life 3. This game won’t be that – but it’s the next best thing, and that’s enough.
Half-Life Alyx launches for PC on all VR headsets compatible with the SteamVR standard.