Thanks to Valve Software's Source 2.0 engine and its impressive physics rendering, Half-Life: Alyx takes full advantage of VR, allowing players to interact with the game in novel ways.
Here's a look at some of the most bizarre, funny and interesting things it's possible to do in Half-Life: Alyx.
Wear Weird Objects On Your Head
Half-Life: Alyx allows players to pick up and wear such standard headgear as hard hats and gas masks, which are littered throughout the game. However, a dashing yellow construction hat isn't the only bit of headgear you can don. Alyx allows players to wear just about any object they can fit their head into, such as traffic cones, plant pots and even buckets. Not all of these "hats" are created equal, though, as some will obscure your vision and keep you from being able to see incoming attacks.
Capture a Headcrab
The ever friendly Dr. Isaac Kleiner and his menacing pet headcrab Lamarr are one of Half-Life's most iconic duos, and Alyx provides players with the perfect opportunity get a horrifying alien pet of their own. By grabbing a bucket, crate, barrel or any other suitably sized container, you can sneak up on your unsuspecting prey and trap them in it, though it's also possible to catch them mid jump if you're skilled enough. But be aware, just because you've trapped a headcrab in a bucket doesn't mean it's friendly. Unlike Lamarr, the crabs you fight in Alyx are not de-beaked, so they'll still be able to attack.
Pretend to be Captain America
Alyx Vance may not be a superhero, but she definitely has superpowers. Thanks to her gravity gloves, Alyx an pick up objects across the room and send them flying into her grasp, like Thor's hammer. However, Thor isn't the only Avenger you can copy. By picking up such objects as barrel lids, you can shield yourself from incoming headcrabs. You can also throw the lid to distract sound reliant enemies and have it return to your hands just like Cap's iconic shield.
Play Your Favorite Song on a Piano
During Half-Life: Alyx's campaign, you'll find a grand piano in the lobby of the Northern Star hotel. The piano is actually fully functional, although the virtuosity with which you can play it is highly dependent on the type of VR headset and controller combo you are using. If you own a set of Valve's new finger tracking Knuckles motion controllers, or a pair of Oculus Touch, you'll easily be able to play your favorite tune. However,if you own an original set of HTC Vive, Oculus or Windows Mixed Reality controllers you'll be limited to playing glisandos.
Kill Headcrabs With Heavy Objects
Unlike previous games in the series, Half-Life: Alyx leans far more into survival horror by severely limiting the amount of ammo and health you come across. While the transition to this new style of gameplay is perfectly fitting for this VR title, players who have become accustomed to storming into an area guns blazing will likely find themselves short on ammo on more than one stressful occasion. With that said, if you find yourself with an empty magazine while trapped in a room full of headcrabs, then try picking up the nearest weighted object and throwing it at the creature. After a few hefty blows, your headcrab problem will be no more.
Half-Life: Alyx is available now through Steam.