Valve reveals Half-Life: Alyx – A VR-only Half-Life 2 prequel

Valve has officially revealed Half-Life: Alyx, a VR prequel to Half-Life 2. Yes, this isn’t Half-Life 3, and yes, this is a VR-only title. Thankfully, this game will support all major PC VR headsets, including Windows Mixed Reality, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Valve’s own Index models. 

The game will be available for free with all Valve Index VR headsets, or to owners of Valve’s Index SteamVR controllers. This also applies to existing owners of Valve’s Index headset. Each VR headset will support different features, and these features will impact gameplay somewhat, though more information about these changes will be available as Half-Life: Alyx approaches its launch. 

Half-Life Alyx will release on PC in March 2020, with Valve having utilised its Source 2 engine to create the game. The game will feature “world exploration, puzzle-solving, visceral combat, and an intricately woven story that connects it all with the characters iconic to the Half-Life universe”. 

The game starts after the events of Half-Life 1, after the Black Mesa incident and after the Combine invasion of earth. Players must do what they can to learn more about The Combine and do what they can to resist their occupation. 

Below is Valve’s first trailer for Half-Life: Alyx. Expect to see a familiar face.