Half-Life: Alyx Retrospective

Examining Half-Life Alyx, its place in the Half-Life series, and its potential impact on video games as a medium.
Thumbnail illustrated by my brother Daylan - / daylanb.art
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
3:26 Prologue - Prove Me Wrong
12:27 Half-Life: Alyx
53:36 Conclusion
Sources:
Valve opens up about Episode Three - ca.ign.com/articles/valve-exp...
Gabe Newell moves on from the episodic model - www.mcvuk.com/business-news/p...
HL3 will not be a VR game, says Chet Faliszek - www.vg247.com/2015/09/24/half...
Valve is working on three full VR games - www.engadget.com/2017-02-10-v...
Valve is experimenting with Half-Life in VR - kotaku.com/yep-valve-is-exper...
GameSlice Podcast with Gabe Newell and Erik Johnson - / valve
Kerry Davis @ DigiPen - • Valve's Own Kerry Davi...
The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx Preliminary Interview - • The Final Hours of Hal...
Ozioma Akagha on playing Alyx Vance - www.hollywoodreporter.com/hea...
HLA Workshop Tools on SteamDB - steamdb.info/depot/1295040/
Why You Can’t Use a Crowbar in Half-Life: Alyx - kotaku.com/why-you-cant-use-a...
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Be sure to check out Last Life, a community and forum for thoughtful video game discussion! www.last-life.net
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#HalfLife #HalfLifeAlyx #LiamTriforce

[@iertan7461]

my wallet when i want to buy a vr: that would be a considerably large nudge

[@Angarato86]

the rift S is 400 bucks. same as a console. and is more than good enough to play this game. i use it and it was beautiful. its worth it trust me. It will ruin flat screen for you tho. fair warning lol

[@breakerboy365]

@@Angarato86 not everyone lives in a place where a rift s is 400$

[@Angarato86]

@@breakerboy365 how much are they where you live? mine was 450 euro when i got it so alil bit more expensive.

[@titansoftime]

Worth it.

[@entirababu123]

BenoHourglass And also Oculus Quest is better than Rift S

[@Churrb]

When an ex writer leaks ur third game so you create another timeline.

[@engineer_gaming6994]

Bold move

[@pouncelygrin6699]

Checkmate xD

[@legohead2731]

@@pouncelygrin6699 5D chess with multiverse time travel

[@pouncelygrin6699]

@@legohead2731 bruuhhh xD

[@marceletta]

The G-man of storytelling, I suppose.

[@accueil750]

I think I get it Half-Life : a video game. Half-Life 2 : a more realistic video game. Half-Life Alyx : a even more realistic video game and its in vr so you feel like you are in it. Half-Life 3 : *you are in it.*

[@cjriketf2]

I think there are Metrocops outside my house rn, hold up

[@TheHulk1850]

@@cjriketf2 **Starts hearing CP Violation playing**

[@Cscuile]

The combine invasion begins in December. Get ready

[@rr24creations]

2020 has been a buildup to a real life Half-Life 3... WAIT DOES THIS MEAN VALVE MANUFACTURED COVID

[@hurt4322]

2020 is hl3

[@vinesauce]

Great video as always Liam.

[@samlomas7316]

@@cataclystp funny vine man

[@BlameCo]

BOOTI

[@supermachine2275]

glad you enjoyed it

[@nokaccino]

MEESTER SAUS?!

[@Warwolf_alucard_cujo]

Spin

[@carlos2645]

True gamer, first thing to do when entering a game is to check options.

[@System3200]

lol

[@rokoblox]

always what I do

[@rawpie2]

first thing to do in everything

[@PELTIER5]

Indeed

[@GlassyDusty]

absolutely. other than quit, "play/new game" is the LAST option you click. it's all part of the dance

[@Lanthanideification]

Just so you know, HL: Alyx actually uses a game director like Left 4 Dead etc. The more you use a particular weapon, the more ammo drops for it. You comment that there is a lot of pistol ammo in the game - that's because you personally use the pistol a lot. If you never use the shotgun, you never find shotgun ammo. Start using the shotgun and you'll very shortly after find more shotgun ammo. I suspect if you played the game through *only* using the shotgun once you find it, that you'd pretty much stop finding pistol ammo entirely. Unfortunately this design decision by Valve has caught a lot of players out, including myself. I'm one of the people that conserve more powerful weapons until I find ammo for them. With the way the shotgun ammo works in this game it creates an unfortunate chicken-and-egg scenario, where I avoid using the shotgun because I never find ammo for it, thus I end up never using it - until I read about the director, at which point I busted out the shotgun a lot more often, but I was already 80% of the way through the game at that point.

[@KlabauterManiac]

Do you have any evidence to back this up? I've played the game several times and i find plenty of shotgun ammo even though i hardly ever use it.

[@rspy24]

I tried this, and it's the case but the crates on hl2 already did that before left 4 dead, in l4d the director was more complex, it handled the spawn of enemies too, not only items.

[@rspy24]

@@KlabauterManiac you will still find a good amount of shotgun ammo but your primary weapon will have the highest rate of drop ammo. In my first playthough I only had drops of pistol ammo and barely some smg/shotgun ammo, I suspected that the drop was tied to my weapon of choice, so in my second playthough I went only smg and shotgun and I had so much ammo for those and almost zero for my pistol.

[@thepillowmancer]

i decided to do shotgun run, only shooting shotgun, unless out of bullets (or shooting a lock). i have more ammo bit still i constantly run out of it for shotgun. this might be because of the difficulty? like on hard shotgun ammo is more limited even if i use it a lot

[@Alkivo]

Lanthanide yeah I am the same, but thankfully I had already heard about this thru another KZbinr so I knew about this before jumping in

[@MooseyVGM]

I love how, with the Strider, the player is literally made to think “aw, that’s a shame. fighting one of those would have been insane, but I guess they’re just going to tease us.” And then BAM

[@mateuszmateuszowy]

Nah, we was hoping the bitch would stay dead (it didn't...)

[@xFluing]

To be fair I saw it coming. A sort of Chechov's gun. They made a big deal out of the strider so they HAD to use it at some point, though it did catch me off guard too because it got activated later than I was expecting and it gave me the impression they might have indeed just teased me.

[@Paradox-hv6wr]

My interpretation of the ending is this: Episode 1's intro happens, and when G-Man comes into where he left Gordon at the end of Half-Life 2 to say something, probably something to do with preparing him for his next assignment, the Vorts crash the party. Out of nowhere, they not only take G-Man's control over Gordon away from him, but they completely block him from Gordon entirely. This pisses him off. He comes to the conclusion that Gordon is unable *or* unwilling to perform the tasks laid before him by his employers. So, he tells his employers about this, and while they struggle to find a replacement just as good as him, G-Man thinks of one. The same entity he plucked from Black Mesa all those years ago. However, his employers ridiculed G-Man for rescuing a mere child that had no practical use to anyone. But, he kept his faith in her that she would somehow prove useful to him one day. But, to replace Gordon is gonna be hard. He was a man of "limitless potential" and had a fascinating ability of "adapting and surviving against all odds", and who else could fit that? (RIP Adrian) He believes Alyx could. In order to prove to his employers that she could be employed to replace Gordon, he comes up with an elaborate scheme. After the ending of Episode 2, Eli dies, and G-Man puts his plan into motion. Go back in time 5 years, get captured by the Combine on purpose, let Alyx think it's a superweapon (her thinking it was Gordon wasn't part of the plan but played in his favor), go through hell and back all the way to where he was imprisoned, and finally, free him. By doing all that, G-Man has now proven his point. Alyx is more than capable of being a suitable replacement. She just adapted and survived when all odds were pinned against her, and to top it all off she was able to free an interdimensional entity from captivity that even the Combine thought was pretty secure. (even though it wasn't) In exchange for coming all that way to free him, he gives her a chance to nudge the course of history in her favor. When she asks for the Combine to be removed from Earth, he simply says "That would be a considerably large nudge. Too large, given the interests of my employers." So, he's not necessarily saying that he and his employers *can't* take them out, it's just that it's not in their interests for whatever reason. I believe it's because Gordon's already handling that 5 years from now, and because if the Combine were taken out of the picture before Gordon is inserted into C17, then it would fuck up the timeline royal. So, instead, he offers something that she doesn't even know she wants yet. Save her father from death, 5 years in the future. The Vorts had told her that her father was or will be dead and that she *alone* could not prevent his inevitable fate. So, with all that already in her mind, accepting that offer would be a no brainer. She saves her father and kills the Advisor, but as a consequence of her action, she has now proven herself to be of extraordinary value, and because of that, she will now be hired and put into stasis. In order to prevent a MAJOR paradox in the timeline, she does not specifically hire and extract the 19-year-old Alyx, but rather just seals the deal. She is placed back outside the Vault, no memory of what happened INSIDE the Vault. Everything she experienced prior to entering the Vault stays with her though. Her life goes on, and 5 years later, history plays a little bit different than how it originally was. The Advisor holding Eli is suddenly shocked to death by green bolts of lightning, and the other Advisor seeing its buddy get fried to death shits its pants and flees the scene. With the Advisor's death and Eli's life continuing, the deal is fulfilled. When Eli gets up, Alyx is gone. Vanishing without a trace. It's here where Eli puts the pieces together. At first, he thought the warning was about the Borealis, but now he realizes what the unforeseen consequence he sent Alyx to warn him about. It was to prepare for the unforeseen consequence of Alyx's actions in the past. Although Eli doesn't know what happened *inside* the Vault, he still has memory that she came out of that Vault not remembering a damn thing of what happened in there. And he already found out that Gordon wasn't in there, his mutual friend was (I'm guessing he uncovered more of the data pod), so it's not hard for him to piece it together. Something happened in that Vault 5 years ago, and now he knows that whatever it was, it caused her to disappear.

[@aquelecientista4491]

Just one thing: the other advisor did not "shit its pants and ran away" if you compare the Episode 2 ending to the HLA ending, you will notice that the other advisor didn't even come in. The reason? Because Alyx wasn't there anymore.

[@jenniferroswell7826]

have you considered joining Valve?

[@robreich6881]

@@aquelecientista4491 Huh? When GMAN rewinds time to let Alyx kill the advisor, future Alyx was there mourning her dead father, so she was there. The commenter’s explanation that she is not snatched in the vault but has her memory wiped makes the most sense, even if it is a little obtuse.

[@minecraftian640]

perhaps the missing advisor was the one killed in the train crash

[@lordjaraxxus5418]

@@robreich6881 no, I have a theory. HL:A did happen back in time, but alyx does not remember it and eli does not talk about it as alyx does not remember it. after hl:2EP2, before being taken, she "relives" (or remembers) the events of HL:A and is taken. Gman just showed the possible future of what the ending of episode 2 would be if she haden't taken his offer, which was needed to get her under his employment.

[@JupiterMaroon]

The HEV voice at the end gives me massive chills EVERY SINGLE TIME

[@Ribbons0121R121]

"Warning, Vital signs critical. Seek medical attention."

[@sinon7000]

@@Ribbons0121R121 I had the exact same reaction that liam did

[@daMgame19]

Same, I literally got goosebumps when I heard it

[@purpite1001]

nice nanachi pfp

[@williamsmith6921]

the best part is when you realize why you are hearing it a few seconds later

[@yasso99991]

"This video is dedicated to Rick May" *holds back tears* You were good son, real good; maybe even the best. May he rest in peace

[@LiamTriforce]

Playing TF2 the day the news broke got me choked up. EVERYONE was playing Soldier or honoring him in some way. His legacy lives on.

[@yasso99991]

@@LiamTriforce that was the day I learned that TF2 community is more than just random people online, it felt like Family.

[@primedecanus5301]

@@LiamTriforce I hope that Valve will finally give a update for TF2. It's the least they could do for the legend that helped make one of their best products not just a game, but a community.

[@masterzoroark6664]

May He rocketjump in heaven

[@nathanklein827]

Godspeed you magnificent basterd

[@cacokid1489]

Fun-Fact, that crowbar Gordon picks up in the post-credits scene is an asset from one of the many cancelled HL3 projects throughout the years. If you want to look at it symbolically, this could be a way of Valve saying they're picking up Half-Life 3 again. 11/27/2023: This comment didn't age well but such is being a Valve fan. New HL1 update kicks ass tho.

[@gi01full]

Awww shiiiiiiit that got me thinking a lot

[@self-proclaimedanimator]

2 yrs ago Damn

[@ut2819]

@@self-proclaimedanimator it took valve 13 years from HL2 to HL:A be patient mate

[@self-proclaimedanimator]

@@ut2819 it took them that long coz they were developing source 2 When they worked on Hl2 they were developing source 2 alongside it and it was all mess (Prolly that's why we have source spaghetti ) so they didn't want to relive the hell again so they just worked on Alxy after source 2 was somewhat complete

[@nfwrambo]

@@ut2819 I’d expect it to be closer to hl2’a development, it took 6 years to come out, the reason for the 13 year wait was because of some internal problems that they claim are fixed now

[@PiscotV]

About the Alyx voice... from the beginning I was thinking, wow Merle did a really great job of capturing the younger self of Alyx. Then I got to the credits... mind blown!

[@Xalphire]

Why?

[@lavascopersecondaccount3099]

​@@Xalphireshe didn't voice alyx in half life alyx

[@Xalphire]

@@lavascopersecondaccount3099 oh wtf they sound the same

[@kyshibe]

This was my interpretation of the ending in response to Max Derrat's story explanation: "To me, it feels like the events of episode 2 and HL: A were a set up by the G-man in order to make her an offer she wouldn't refuse. Without her father dying horrifically, G-man has no leverage against Alyx and any deal he tries to make with her would more than likely be rejected, leading to his "investment" being wasted. I personally theorize that the events of HL: A do not actually take place in the original timeline. In fact, I think the G-man went back in time to change the past, and considering the G-man's abilities, I don't think it's too far fetched for him to go back in time and ALLOW himself to be captured. The whole reason Eli gets captured in the first place is because he and Russell saw the schematics for the Vault when stealing the Combine mini-reactor at the beginning of the game. However, the events of Half-Life 2 and its episodes cannot happen in the way that they do with Alyx being put in stasis, nor can they happen with even the mere existence of the Vault in the first place. A vault that does NOT EXIST without the G-man being "captured." Essentially, the G-man must make sure that Alyx sees her father's death in the future to capture her in the past. By going back to a time period BEFORE he unleashed Gordon, he sets in motion the events that will lead to Alyx "saving" him, him offering her the chance to save her father, and showing the value of Alyx to his employers. Given that G-man seems to exist out of time, I believe that he pulled Alyx out of all time as well (he refer's to beings as "entities," seeming to imply he sees them more than just physical creatures, and what we know about the Vortessence seems to back that up), meaning that the Alyx he has in stasis has no memories of Nova Prospekt, or the Citadel, or White Forest. This Alyx does not know what lies ahead in her future, only that her father will be killed if she doesn't do what the G-man asks of her. He needs an Alyx that doesn't know the truth to be his tool, which means that he needs the younger Alyx, not the one that we destroyed the Citadel with. By showing Eli's death out of context, he has complete control over her. This also explains why he made it imperative that Gordon get her to White Forest. He didn't need Gordon to get her there for Gordon's sake, or humanity's sake; the G-man needed her there for his sake." So when you say, Liam, that the G-man chooses Alyx over Gordon because Gordon failed to keep Eli alive, I disagree. I believe, with the retcon that HL: A has introduced, that the "unforeseen consequence" was him taking Alyx, not Eli dying. I've been thinking about why he would want Eli to stay alive, and after considering it for a while, I think I might know why: Eli, prior to his death, wanted the Borealis to be destroyed. But, the Borealis contains very valuable technology, something that could be very useful for the Combine, or a number of other interdimensional bidders. And, considering the G-man's actions have now set Eli on the warpath, what would be powerful enough to fight, capture, or destroy an entity that exists outside of time and space? All signs point to the Borealis. Instead of destroying it like he originally wanted, Eli may be spurred to use it against the G-man, and inadvertently deliver it to him in doing so. The only unknown variable here then is Gordon; will he be able to either stop Eli, or successfully use the Borealis to somehow nullify the G-man's hold over their fates once and for all? TL;DR G-man set up everyone and things are gonna get fucked, bro

[@kyshibe]

And to just clarify my perspective of time in this series, I am assuming it to be a straight line that can be altered by the G-man at any point. However, the reason Eli and Gordon still have memories of Alyx having just been with them after she is pulled out of the timeline by G-man in the past is because they've already experienced everything with her up until that point. It doesn't seem to be the kind of time travel where events and memories are retroactively altered.

[@kyshibe]

Thertane stajia I get what you’re saying, but I don’t really understand how you can say that he’s all powerful but can’t time travel though, which is to say nothing of the fact that he Time travels in HL:A. Just because he has that ability does not mean anyone else does, hence a need for the Borealis for races like the Combine. There’s a reason his “employers” have him make things go according to their plans, because he’s a powerful entity. Clearly he does possess time travel, or something close to it, by being able to put people in stasis outside of time and reality. I sort of view his existence as something similar to Dr. Manhattan, where he exists throughout all time and at no time at all, but unlike Dr. Manhattan, can control whatever he’s doing, wherever he is. He exists outside of time and at whatever points of time he wants based on his needs. Another thing to consider is why the Combine built a Vault around him, and the conditions inside; they were keeping him and the environment that surrounded him when he was captured in a temporal and multi-dimensional stasis. They were preventing him from shifting through time and getting away. As for him becoming the primary protagonist, I don’t know if I agree that killing him would be disappointing provided they can figure out a satisfying and logical way to do it. Given they waited 13 years to create something groundbreaking and satisfying, I think it’s safe to say Wolpaw and the crew can come up with something good.

[@catches07]

To me, it seems like in the HL:A post-credits, you can see Gman watching nearby, showing that he just plucked Alyx from THAT specific moment in time, right after she saves her father from the advisor. The past Alyx probably had her memory wiped, considering if he took 19-year-old Alyx into statis, the timeline would be completely different.

[@kyshibe]

LoveThomas And what I said I think happened is he pulled Alyx out of time from the point where she was a teenager. I don’t think adult Alyx would’ve agreed to save Eli after all they’d been through, and I think she would stay focused on destroying the Borealis. Younger Alyx doesn’t have that foresight, because she still doesn’t even know about the Borealis for one, and two, younger Alyx still barely knows what’s going on in the grand scheme of things. The older Alyx wouldn’t be obedient to G-man because of what she knows. EDIT: Also, if you read my original post again, I explain what I think happens to the timeline as a consequence of all this and how I think time is working in this series.

[@kyshibe]

Thertane stajia Then how come the City 17 residents you see are frozen in some sort of shifting, temporal stasis? How is that not time-based? And again, as young Alyx, you are transported ahead in time to kill the Advisor. There’s literally time travel going on there. I’m not speculating that he can time travel; he clearly can, and he can take others with him if he wants. It’s not a matter of listing what he can’t do when we, as the audience, can see what he is doing right in front of our faces. And honestly, I don’t think they will reveal much more about the G-man. He doesn’t even seem like an entity that can be killed. But just because they might kill him doesn’t mean they have to reveal how that even happens. There are ways to end a character without taking away all of their mystery, and Half-Life has always been good about not taking away all the mystery throughout the entire series.

[@MaxArceus]

The ending sequence of Alyx was a true piece of art that gave me literal goosebumps. It's the type of thing you spend a lot of time thinking about afterwards. The way I see it, the gravity defying apartment is Valve saying "After being stuck with the story for so long, we turned the story on its side, then turned it upside down. We split the timeline, and threw out the old stuff." As the room went on its side, then upside down, after which it split in two (which looked so damn cool btw!!), and then with all the old furniture flying out the upside down door, the one you can't acces anymore, the old time line. I also kind of feel like the G-Man represents Valve. Or rather, his employers are them. They can use him to nudge the story in whatever direction they please, but 'combine of earth', would be too large a nudge indeed, as it would not really allow for future games.

[@adriannamalley1225]

I'm more impressed with this comment more than any other lore analysis I've seen.

[@dragonstormdipro1013]

Holy shit that's awesome

[@thetrashmann8140]

They reserve Half-Life for innovation, Half-Life did storytelling and optimization, Half-Life 2 did physics and graphics, the episodes were really only to keep the company afloat, Half-Life: Alyx is a combination of those previous things plus VR.

[@BenoHourglass]

@@thetrashmann8140 I have a feeling that Half-life 3 will be announced in a year or 2. Makes sense that they didn't make the first VR game Half life 3, as Alyx allows them to experiment and refine what works and throw out what doesn't for HL3. Or maybe not, IDK.

[@LumianGames]

My view is close to yours. Gordon is the old half-life/valve and Alyx is the new one. Since old Half-Life had its problems and got stuck ("unable or unwilling to perform the tasks laid in front of him"), the whole shebang got set aside. For now VR and brain-interfacing seem like "a suitable replacement".

[@chickennuggets4498]

Fun fact about Larry. Larry will complement you if you have a construction helmet on. This occurs when he is talking about the Xen spore plumes, when he moves off screen.

[@everope]

Cool I didn't know that. Also you can put on a gas mask to prevent you from coughing

[@BranchIfNotEqual]

There's a tiger mask in a side room prior to that, and if you put that on, he'll complement you for that instead.

[@iscander_s]

He also will noticed if you brought a gas mask from previous chapters of the game

[@frak4981]

@@iscander_s Russell will also thank you if you carry a bottle of vodka in your wrist pocket from the distillery into the next chapter

[@loomhigh]

@@frak4981 fun fact is that also carries over into real life, where people named russell thank you if you give them vodka

[@ea09]

"we'll talk about it later" never talks about it later.

[@guyfromdubai]

It's like the Doctor Who special with Rowan Atkinson, "I'll explain later..."

[@pontusedberg]

wait is gman in the platform in the ending at 50:51? Eli Vance : Comon gordon we need to find gman. Gordon being mute, trying to despretly point: Mmhhhfff!!!

[@JustAHat]

gordon isnt mute, he just chooses not to talk a lot (evidence: he was hired to black mesa over a phone call)

[@raseli4066]

@@JustAHat wait what?!?! Holy fek. Where did you find that information?

[@JustAHat]

@@raseli4066 iirc its in the manual

[@lidiloth3371]

He is pyro

[@rezaka116]

@@JustAHat "Press 1 to accept this job offer"

[@jeddonaldson7526]

"I've tried Forgetin' maybe I should try forgivin' " A wise old man

[@kittlesgames6808]

Lol McGucket

[@kenji6492]

Fiddleford McGucket - Summer 2012

[@BlackMesaEmployee]

GIT MCGUCKET GIT!

[@prestonderooy9862]

I recognized the quote and I was wondering where it was from and then I realized

[@jeddonaldson7526]

*the Coyotes are comin' for our sweetbreads*

[@subhazard4297]

When you talk about how much you like a voice actor, PLEASE PLEASE give us a sample of their work in context!

[@Wastelander1972]

I just want to say (spoiler alert): If fighting Jeff taught me anything, it’s that Valve truly knows how to use your environment to keep this game exhilarating and keep you on your toes. I shifted a power supply and it activated a speaker which sent Jeff running towards me. And even more intriguing is that I locked Jeff in that fridge only to realize that I have to go back in the fridge and LET HIM OUT to continue onward. OUTSTANDING.

[@SpoopyChicken]

We should all remember that some people, unfortunately, passed on never knowing this game existed... Everyone who's experienced half-life 2 in its entirety had waited 13 or so years for this game and in those 13 years there are likely many people who have played half-life 2 episode 2 and probably gave up in the progress of half-life 3, it breaks my heart to know that those people who have passed too early never knew that their waiting paid off...

[@bilack7007]

Kitty0706... rest in peace.

[@danku-chan]

A friend of mine named Eli was a massive half-life fan, along with me and a few other guys, we actually did a lot of HL2 roleplay on Garry's Mod servers. He passed away due to complications from diabetes last september, he was so close.

[@datrandomdugggy5537]

@@danku-chan ):

[@alephkasai9384]

@@danku-chan Rest in peace Eli

[@loomhigh]

missing out on alyx would truly amount to living but half a life

[@juliantorres3495]

Remember when it was called hlvr and not alyx Because now hlvr represents one of the most funniest series on KZbin now.

[@RicardoNirep]

LOOK, ROPES!

[@Vonias]

HELP ME GORDON!!!!

[@twoofthem46]

Hello, Gordon

[@jeddonaldson7526]

"I used to have a wife, but they took her in the divorce," Wait you had a divorce? "HELLO GORDONyes"

[@extremesubtlety]

Gordon, I’m tired.

[@jamesshipley9164]

It's just a shame that here we are in 2023 and HL Alyx is still one of the very few AAA VR games, and to my knowlege far and away the best showcase for the technology. Playing through it reminded me of when as a kid used to Sega Genesis and SNES games played Mario 64 for the first time at a mall kiosk. I knew it was the future, it felt like real life. And within a few years everyone was on board and refining what you could do with 3D platformers. VR has been much slower to catch on to that level, and I hope eventually we get there. I can only imagine how refined games in a VR space could be with hundreds of games coming out pushing and refining the mechanics. To be one of the first and to be this good already, HL Alyx is an incredible feat. Here's hoping Sony's new VR set gets it more into the mainstream for gaming. I said the same thing about the first Oculus, Gear VR, and PSVR, and then the Quest 2, but maybe today's the day haha.

[@walktroughman1952]

As it's always been the case since 8bit computers in the 80s, developers and publishers are reluctant to invest time and money in a platform that is niche or uncertain to have a large amount of people investing in its products. Vr has historically been and still is a frustratingly expensive platform to gain entry in, considering you need to spend around 1.5 to 2 grand on a headset and a computer capable of running the games for that headset. Consoles have made a valiant effort to lower that bar of entry, but it's still touching four figures, and that is simply not an investment most people are willing to make, as the video mentioned. Then there's the fact that people with weak stomachs exist, making Vr for them a potential health hazard due to motion sickness. Though not destructive to the reputation of Vr, it's still a contributor to a loss of potential buyers. Valve must be now facing the dilemma or at least the uncertainty in the back of their head of whether to make the next installment a Vr exclusive or not. Or maybe make it for both.

[@snakebae6259]

46:23 look at him when he says "ah", he leaves and there is a clone in his place. What does that mean? He did it, Eli died, then "epistle 3" happened, after which the combine left. But something happened, something we don't know, then he came back, and said "no". GOD WHAT IS GABEN THINKING?

[@cheebadigga4092]

there are many "clones" of G Man in the whole ending, but they're not clones - G Man lives on another plane of reality and perhaps only shapes the perspective of Alyx to make it seem to her like there's multiples of him

[@TheSquidThatCould]

You said you were gonna talk about it at the end, but you still didn't even talk about what happened to *Russel* the greatest mind of generation!

[@adriannamalley1225]

I get it. :)

[@rudolph2937]

You guys are over analyzing. Russel is Russel, Laszlo is Laszlo. Yes, in the game files he is called Laszlo, but that means nothing. The AR2 is called Incendiary Rifle in the game files, does that make it an Incendiary Rifle? No.

[@ScurrilousSpades]

It’s super common for devs to give joke/reference names to things on an internal level, you can look up some of the silly internal names valve and gearbox gave to events in half life 1 and opposing force. I don’t think Russel is necessarily ruled out in terms of future appearances, even if just as a cameo.

[@Mega-Brick]

@@rudolph2937 I think it just means that he was originally going to be Laszlo, but the developers decided people would be upset if they confirmed he dies later. So it definitely means something, just not anymore.

[@wta1518]

@@ScurrilousSpades There's literally a door called "Jesus_thou_art_a_sinner" next to a security guard named Jesus in Half-Life: Decay.

[@dronz3881]

I think the end, where Alyx harnesses that vortigaunt energy they're using.. That's why she has such a deep connection to the Vorts in HL2. I think she was briefly connected to the "Vortessence" mental network and since she didn't know how it worked entirely they could only feel the immense power of her hurling all those attacks so rapidly that it left an impact. Even if they weren't entirely sure on why or how she did it, when she became a prominent figure of the resistance they recognized her on a subconscious level. That paired with her freeing vortigaunts from their energy harvesting prisons led to her being seen as a great power equal to Gordon in the vort's collective mind's eyes.

[@loomhigh]

so the vortescence is like a facebook account? You can briefly log on and from then on you will forever be registered

[@sowansow9123]

@@loomhigh XD

[@lasarousi]

It's a case of the human McGuffin in one game used as just a McGuffin in the new one giving the illusion of connection. Aka it's just a fan theory.

[@distantsea]

@@lasarousi yes and?

[@DawnAfternoon]

Might I add that the very first time you freed one of the Vortigaunt, at one point your gravity gloves (controller) will *rumble* and you can briefly see your hands glowing in green energy like in the last chapter. The foreshadowing.

[@CrispyMuffin2]

i always think about the people who may have loved franchise that passed before Alyx got released. Rick May, Eli's original voice actor Robert Guillaume, and likely many other fans who loved Half Life they never got to know that Valve never really abandoned Half Life, let alone that they would be able to play the newest game in vr. you know they nailed it when i, who barely was interested in Half Life, loved pretty much every moment in the game and was left speechless at the ending. maybe even a little emotional. HL Alyx alone made me completely fall in love with Half Life, which ended up making me wanna play Black Mesa and Half Life 2. i honestly cant believe how much i missed out on years back. i can see why it's considered a timeless masterpiece

[@hotlinetemper2210]

Movement in VR games has always felt to me less like I am moving and more like the world is moving around me. It's can be quite disorienting, but, thankfully, I've never gotten motion sickness from VR games. One day I hope multi-direction vr locomotion treadmills become more common. It'd be funny if what finally got me in shape was playing too much VR XD

[@milddiffuse]

For the same reason I actually prefered playing with Shift Teleport over smooth locomotion for a majority of my playthroughs. Only ever after playing Bonework or VRChat with Free Locomotion a bunch did I feel the need to also use it in Alyx, just because I felt so used to it. But after letting a few weeks pass I was always back to using Shift again.

[@vibaj16]

can't wait to get to the point where to be a good speedrunner you have to be a fast runner irl

[@MasonOfLife]

I’m just throwing this out there, but I’d LOVE to see DLC or another Half Life VR project, it’s just so good, there is so much they can do with enemies, scenarios, new weapons, etc

[@ryanrichards7724]

Yeah, this was one of the best games I've played. It honestly makes me want to see half life 3 in vr, but they might be pushing it too far by doing that

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

They might do the whole Alyx is the VR Heroine and Gordon is the Keyboard and Mouse Hero. Giving us 2 series 1 for the Non-VR crowd and 1 for the VR crowd.

[@ValentineC137]

well, with how they've set the ending up for a proper Gordon sequel, you might just get one.

[@albinodino5050]

I feel like we have to get some kind of expansion similar to majoras mask. They spend like 4 years laying ground work for this game, and they should use the systems to make like episodes or some other continuation of this game.

[@mog2182]

HL3 will be VR only screencap this

[@Avossk]

I've beat HLA 3 times since launch, first time was on normal, the second time was on hard and the third was on hard with the gnome. I had a blast every single time

[@sanfayyaad]

Gnome run world record

[@5punkybob]

Is there only a single gnome? I want to do this but I barely have time to play lol

[@randomplayer6461]

Now do it on hard with no upgrades

[@thetrashmann8140]

So it's like Left 4 Dead in the sense that it was made for infinite replay ability.

[@Avossk]

@@thetrashmann8140 No not really, it's just that the game is really well designed and combat in VR feels incredibly satisfying despite the limited arsenal. Also finding more and more resin with each playthrough as you get more acquainted with your surroundings and know where to look is a pretty good feeling

[@wojtekpolska1013]

I think the enegry balls you use in Point Extraction, have the same function, as Gravity Gun after being "upgraded" in Citadel - you know the game is finishing, you feel unstoppable (BUT there is still a challege and you know that)

[@ParkersPlayground]

Half life: Alyx - Retrospective - review If there’s one thing KZbin could use a whole lot more of, It’s well done, well researched, emotional and gratifying video essays like this. Well done Video essays like this bring tears to my eyes because of how well they were done, the music chosen or composed for them, and the well-written scripts. It’s videos like these that make me still want to keep using KZbin for entertainment, and it’s what KZbin needs a whole lot more of. Videos like this show us just how great any one person can do, and they can show just how great content can be in the scope of emotional impact. I’m an emotionally complex person, I’m very empathetic in my ways of viewing other people and their views and emotions. I can emphasize with just about anyone, even if I haven’t gone through what they’ve been through. Because even if I haven’t gone through it, I can imagine it in my head and get at least some understanding of what they went through. In the case of half life, I didn’t first play half life until my dad bought a used PS3 disc of the orange box back in 2011 from a local game⚡️pulse in my hometown, and played half life 2. And bare in mind, I was 14 back then. I was born within 600 days of the first original release of the first half life, and I was only old enough to play the trilogy well after valve went radio silent so I wasn’t even aware of it. I didn’t even know that VALVe’s radio silence even existed, I didn’t even know what valve was. I only joined in on the frustration everyone felt with valve because of my empathetic nature that allows me to feel what other people feel. That’s why I was also just as hyped as every other half fan when Half Life Alyx was announced/revealed. It’s also why I along with many other Nintendo fans are frustrated and angry with the radio silence regarding BOTW’s sequel. But now I’m going on a tangent, I’ll stop talking about me now. What I’m trying to say is: KZbin needs more creators like this, people that put in the time, energy, love and care to make their videos worth viewing over and over and over again, and be more and more satisfying the more you watch them. Videos that break the mould of what content creators are Expected to do, to say, to feel and follow. videos that ask the fundamental question of what it means to be human, videos that are the home to hallmark editing, incredible voice performances, beautiful illustration, and emotionally complex analyses. And that why when all is said and done, when videos like this induce emotions in people like me that can empathize with just about anyone... It works It’s always good when videos like this make tears run down my face, because what these videos do is show us what KZbin can truly be. A place of beautiful, well done, educational and emotional content that make us feel like we belong somewhere. Makes us feel like we know what we are, and what makes us human. And it’s just wonderful Words can’t do it justice.

[@NanoBotSigma]

Half Life: Alyx - Retrospective - Retrospective

[@ParkersPlayground]

@@NanoBotSigma amen 🤣

[@OneNativeWolfe74]

I'm just gonna say, dude said Pavlov VR is hard to get into for new players because of it's "complex" gun mechanics then described how to use not only the double barrel shotgun, but also all of the pistols It's almost like guns aren't that hard to get.

[@ParkersPlayground]

@@OneNativeWolfe74 maybe… you should listen to that part again…?

[@spanishnameisjesus]

It should also be noted during Gman's speech with Alyx that when he refers to Freeman he says he's been: "unwilling or unable to preform the tasks laid before him." Maybe I'm looking too much into it, but this could also reflect Valve. They've been unwilling or unable to make a new Half Life game, so they needed something new.

[@deviateedits]

And a half life 3 wold be 'too big of a nudge', but half life alyx was 'what we didn't know we wanted'

[@whore51]

In the final Hours it’s explained they cancelled hl3 because of engine problems

[@vibaj16]

gman has always seemed to represent Valve: they wait for the right moment to put the right character in the wrong place to make all the difference in the game industry. they exist in a dimension outside that of the game, making sure the narrative goes the way it should. They "hire" the characters to do what needs to be done to create an engaging story. Just getting the Combine off Earth would be too large of a "nudge" because it would be boring.

[@freefa1118]

I'll be getting to play the game in about a month or so. Until then I'll hold off on watching. I can't wait to watch your thoughts on it! Edit: Well, almost a month and a half later, I done and did it. And I can say what I thought was going to happen. This was genuinly the best VR game I've ever played, and it's honestly on par with previous half-life. Almost every minute of this game was a blast. And oh man, that ending was absolutly *nuts*. I loved every moment. I'm so glad I got to play it.

[@LiamTriforce]

Can't wait for you to play it!

[@cough_sneeze]

You will love it

[@nerdcuddles7731]

It's a shit game, this video is just raw shilling Get DOOM Eternal instead

[@dinarichyperborean1455]

@@nerdcuddles7731 or if you want a VR Game you need to get Boneworks it beats HL:A in every single way

[@thegeek9049]

Žorž Grug except for the story, graphics, detail, stability, and polish.

[@pbrunet44]

33:20 ...oh, THAT'S what you're supposed to do, not test every combination I could find on the wall and solve it by brute force...

[@Zixye]

The first time I played Alyx I didn't notice that either, I just tried that specific combination first because it stood out being the brightest and clearest of them all

[@Cyynapse]

"their animations are mocapped" animators: *loads shotgun with murderous intent*

[@lasarousi]

Loads shotgun clumsily with VR "immersive" controls with embarrassment intent*

[@ringer1324]

@@lasarousi ugh

[@canceroushit5933]

To be honest, I would have preferred a “non comfort” mode that lets you fall realistically and forces you to crouch and climb ladders and stuff. I feel like valve played it just a little too safe for my taste, especially with a game like boneworks with practically 0 safety precautions. It’s like looking at what playgrounds used to be like in the 60s and realizing it’s just not as fun to be safe

[@evolicious]

Then the adoption would be a complete failure just like Boneworks. Imagine a playground that makes everyone sick that tries it for the first time. No one is going to automatically know you have to get acclimated to start playing full-dive. Boneworks has very clear warnings that their game is ONLY FOR ADVANCED USERS. It is only for those that are acclimated and understand very advanced VR mechanics and controls. HLA is for people new to VR, sure even the advanced users love it, but the game is designed for someone that is jumping into VR for the first time. As it should be. It's actually pretty silly to question the people that know more about the VR industry, VR software, and VR hardware than anyone else on the planet. Valve knows what they are doing.

[@Fs3i]

I mean, you can turn on a lot of "non comfort" options, with ladders, movement, and barnicles. But I'm so glad that I wasn't forced to do this, because I returned Boneworks after 30 minutes of play time and 3 attempts at it.

[@Mega-Brick]

@@evolicious Hence why he said a 'mode'. A setting that's off by default, but ready for people to enable if they want. Personally, the only thing I disliked was the barnacle-lift thing, but they had a setting for that. Even as someone who loved the climbing in Boneworks, I felt like the ladders worked great. I could climb up mostly if I wanted, or if I'm not feeling up to it I just grab and let-go and go straight up.

[@paralyzedtortoise8446]

You can already fall realistically without needing to teleport, as well as physically climbing ladders and crouching.

[@Mega-Brick]

@@paralyzedtortoise8446 I think he meant full-speed fall. In-game, you sorta glide slowly to the ground.

[@NYRavage]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I can't wait to someday experience this for myself. One reason I believe they stuck to three smallish, one-handed weapons was to prevent a break of immersion that could happen were you to see yourself holding up a large assault rifle in one hand as though it were light as a feather. Sure, they included the ability for you to "brace" your handgun by bringing your left hand over underneath your right hand. But in keeping all weapons single-handed, this also allows you to always have a free hand. A free hand with which to explore the environment, check on your health, and pull items to you.

[@ChezzyKnytt]

I think I would have just liked to have seen the revolver. It's a 1 handed weapon, not melee, would have been interesting to reload, and fills a role that I don't think the game had, that being a sniper weapon. I know the 1911 is pretty accurate, but it takes a bunch of headshots to kill an enemy and doesn't really fulfil the same fantasy. Plus it would be great to upgrade the revolver and put a scope on it instead of just a reflex sight.

[@Mega-Brick]

I still wish they had included one or two two-handed weapons. It wouldn't have been too much of an issue, as you could simply choose not to use them.

[@Arcia__]

Valve said they wanted to keep one hand free so you always have easy access to stuff like the gloves

[@Mega-Brick]

@@Arcia__ Thing is, it could still be that way. Every other VR game has made it so you can hold a rifle with one hand, it's just super unstable and inaccurate. Just like in the real world, the hand you're using to stabilize can still reach around and grab stuff.

[@Arcia__]

@@Mega-Brick It would kinda mess up the flow on the combat though, needing to stop shooting to let go of a big and heavy rifle to grab something when with a single-handed weapon, small and lightweight, you won't need to

[@peacemaster8117]

"the workshop tools for Alyx are on the horizon, by the time you're watching this they might already be out" 3 weeks later we're hungrily watching Valve push random updates and yelling "ANY SECOND NOW! ANY SECOND NOW GUYS!" over and over. Any second now, Liam! Great video btw, you've done the best job of describing the combined feeling of love and betrayal that a Half-Life fan experienced for the past decade and more.

[@peacemaster8117]

1 year later, we've still had no further word about Valve's promise to release the Source 2 SDK. We *did* get the Alyx tools, which is nice, but Valve appear to be full Steam ahead on their new VR equipment and don't particularly care about packaging and releasing tool kits...

[@cinemalazare4850]

@@peacemaster8117 :(

[@GordonFreakman69]

@@peacemaster8117 valve is probably cleaning the overload of hl2 leftovers in alyx

[@DionMunk]

If that last scene with Eli handing you the crowbar doesn't bring a tear to your eye... 😭🤯

[@thicky3156]

Honestly, these retrospectives are the things I look most forward to on this channel. I love the fact the you're are able to spend months working on a project due to you're sheer love of the subject. I'd make something like this but I have no idea how to write scripts, so I'm glad people like you are willing and able to.

[@LiamTriforce]

If you ever have any questions and want to get started, my email is [e-mail]! I'd love to help you out.

[@sulphurous2656]

"I'd come with you but I gotta look after my sleep schedule..."

[@boltfantasticated9705]

5:36 when making Alyx that phrase was probably very literal when testing...

[@danielbowersmusic]

How do you feel now that we have Alyx and HL2 in VR now? After Alyx VR hasn’t been the same for me. They set the bar so high and after HL2 I’m convinced the series is the best thing to happen to VR.

[@MichaeLPPL]

The first time I ever played all Half-Life games was in 2021, while I'm still trying to beat Half-Life: Alyx today, my reactions to all the games were great, even tho they are so old. Edit: Beat Half-Life: Alyx, great game :)

[@garden0fstone736]

Make sure you play black mesa

[@WMan37]

I recently spoke with a friend who was tearing into this game for being "easy" and "slow" after he watched someone else play the game and as someone who played Alyx firsthand I had to try to convey the difference between watching someone play the game from start to finish on easy difficulty vs playing the game yourself, but the problem with being a VR player trying to talk to a non VR player is it's trying to describe a color they've never seen before, or that it was the difference between (forgive the food analogy) eating a burger at mcdonalds vs eating a burger at a 5 star establishment they've never been to. Yeah, you're still seeing a color, or eating a burger at the end of the day, the _concept_ of an FPS game is not new, it's the _way_ it's experienced that made the biggest difference in my time with Alyx. I'm gonna show him this video because it conveys in a more constructive way that I just simply couldn't at the time why despite Alyx's faults it's still my new second favorite half life game, HL1 is still the king in my eyes, but Alyx definitely bumped down Episode 2 a small peg. That being said, I would like to play a mod of Alyx that gives the combat a huge overhaul. I want to play a version of this game with more combine that are smarter and don't just stare at a grenade when it plops at their feet, but with _every enemy_ having less health or having a one shot one kill small moving weak point like the gas canister on some combine or the boil on the zombies. A version of the game where it doesn't take 4 headshots to down a combine but they do a lot more dangerous suppressive fire on you and are much more aggressive in pushing your position. I'm aware of "Lethal Combat Rebalance" on Nexusmods and once I finish my gnome run I'm _SUPER_ curious to play the game with that mod to see if it improves my opinion of the combat in this game. Ultimately, I still think that as a _VR game_ Boneworks is more memorable and enjoyable with Blade & Sorcery being a sister companion piece to that sentiment, especially due to Boneworks' huge freedom of movement and combat that Alyx just doesn't have, but as a _game,_ as an introduction to VR for a newcomer, I finally have a game to point to and go "See this? Play this first, then you're ready for more advanced stuff." Alyx doesn't NEED to be "the dark souls of" VR to be a good demonstration of VR's capabilities, and while I don't think it presents the sheer *raw potential* of VR very well, it just exists, is good, and I will always love it dearly as one of my favorite VR experiences for that reason.

[@gyroninjamodder]

To be fair the game is easy even on the hard difficulty. In terms of movement speed it is slow, unless you use teleport in which you can zip around extremely fast removing more of the challenge of an already easy game.

[@WMan37]

@@gyroninjamodder I agree to some extent, this is why I wanna play a version of Alyx with a total combat rebalance, with enemies that have lower health but super aggressive AI. As much of a VR junkie as I am, I'm still waiting for the day we get a game like F.E.A.R. 1 in VR in terms of AI and atmosphere. God that would be amazing. I wouldn't even care if the game looked like it came straight out of 2005 in terms of graphics, if you can recreate that feeling in VR you've got something magical on your hands, kinda like how Unknightly recreates why I like The Dark Mod/Thief, it just needs content.

[@mrpetebojangles21]

I want to check out Boneworks but I’ve read so many scary things of VR sickness that I’m not sure. So far I have around 30 hours or so total in VR. Maybe after I’m done with Lone Echo. Also, I agree about AI. It’s crazy how AI is really the one thing within gaming that really hasn’t seen an upgrade while everything else has evolved and improved. I enjoy the Farcry games, but I’d enjoy them SO much more if the AI wasn’t so stupid. I also understand that complex AI behavior is very CPU intensive... a breakthrough has gotta be coming at some point.

[@WMan37]

@@mrpetebojangles21 I think one of the big problems people have with boneworks is that they're not used to a VR game with a skill floor. Like, inertia matters in that game in a way it just simply doesn't in other games outside of Blade & Sorcery. Definitely not for VR newcomers but once you get to the point that you build confidence with your VR legs, it offers an experience few games do.

[@Mennenth]

I have a massive hang up with *part* of the ending and really need a lore buff to set something straight for me... because I only recently played the half life games for the first time in my life. Let me explain. Gman says that Gordon couldnt - or wouldnt - complete the tasks set out for him. Yet when I played through the Half Life games... to me it seemed as if Gordon was doing everything Gman wanted. Securing Xen in HL1 being the first thing, then Gordon is unleashed for HL2. At the end of HL2, Gman still seems quite pleased with how things are going. He only gets pissed off in the very beginning of HL2 ep1, but thats only because the Vortigaunts interfere. Why is he pissed at Gordon, not the Vortigaunts? Because heres the thing, the Vortigaunts interfere with Alyx's fate too. So if Gordon isnt a good employee due to Vortigaunt interference, wouldnt Alyx also not be a good employee for the same reason? Why does Gman want one, and not the other? Clearly its not because of the Vortigaunts, even though their interference is the only thing thats happened thats pissed off Gman. So, thats why I want a lore buff. Did I miss something? What did Gordon do - or not do - to piss of Gman? Or does this fall into the shenanigans of time being flexible ie Gordon hasnt done anything wrong... at least not yet. He will, and as a result Gman is manipulating time? Whats the currently accepted hypothesis/theory surrounding this?

[@christianknight504]

Gordon, up to a certain point, was doing what was necessary for humanity and that lined up with some of what the Gman wanted from him, until the vortigaunts interfere and Gordon continues to do what is going to be helping humanity, and himself survive, but the Gman wanted to lock Gordon away until he was needed again, so at that point, it was proven to the Gman and his employers that Gordon was not fit for the position as he has too much free will. Alyx, on the other hand, now has a debt to the Gman. and the Alyx from the end of episode 2 is a different Alyx from the end of HL:A. they have different memories. But the fact that Alyx saved her dad because the Gman allowed her to, means he could take that away at any point. she doesn't have her freewill anymore and in the eyes of the Gman and his employers, she will be subservient to what they want. the Alyx who freed the Gman and saved her father, didnt help Gordon to take down the citadel, and therefore was not part of the vortigaunts intervening. Howevere a version of Alyx did still do that, because obviously the ending of episode 2 and HL:A line up to an extent. but that's where time travel gets tricky, because that Alyx is now gone too. tldr: Gordon fights for humanity, Alyx is in debt to the Gman.

[@Mennenth]

@@christianknight504 thanks for the response! The free will bit makes sense.

[@christianknight504]

@@Mennenth I should have said that Gordon is a Free Man lol

[@gyroninjamodder]

I assumed that it had to do with why it took 20 years before GMan took Gordon out of stasis.

[@richardtingler4798]

Mennenth basically everything is made up on the spot and the story has now became to convoluted to actually make sense and they should just have left it at the end of the 2nd game

[@bigdawghoss9871]

@liam . This was one of the most thoughtful, well written and well put together retrospectives I have ever seen on KZbin. Props, man. Thank you for this.

[@qwertylesh]

Loved the video Liam! I think what was difficult to predict back when this was made was just how far and how much talent is pouring into the mass retrofitting on existing games into VR, in 2022, the amount of mods that are bringing existing AAA games into VR is amazing! I'm lucky to be in the closed HL2 VR beta, and I can say that I think you will absolutely love it

[@gyroninjamodder]

31:30 The weapon wheel is bound to the touchpad on your dominant hand for the knuckles. 35:36 Jeff doesn't bust out, you are forced to let him out.

[@masterman3349]

Oh man, the half life Alyx VALVE startup gave me CHILLS. It was so incredibly cool to see it in 3D after seeing that intro for years

[@mrpetebojangles21]

masterman3349 yea, was super awesome, that and the menu screen. I’ll never forget seeing those

[@iscander_s]

I hoped they would use Valve logo from "The Lab". It was more visually interesting in VR

[@RussieDear]

I finished the game last week and I love HL:Alyx, everything about the gameplay, the look, the life in it. I streamed the game, and when the ending hit, and the post credits hit, I just ended the stream without a word. I had to process it. The 13 year wait has left a scar on me, having so much love for this series, and I can't help but be conflicted by ending this prequel 2 minutes after the end of HL2EP2 in a potentially altered timeline. 13 years to say "Nah, nah, nah, Eli's fine." Hopefully, h o p e f u l l y, not another 13 year wait for this universe. Not just this universe but the continuation of it. I hope the seemingly altered story thread doesn't break the continuity of HL2 for the sake of moving forward, but with how incredible my experience with this game was, the spark of hope has returned. On a lighter note though, that gnome achievement for HLA is really fun, I won't lie. Having to balance use of your hands, and knowing when to drop the gnome to take care of a fight or puzzle is so much more rewarding in VR than it was in HL2EP2. At least here you can shoot AND hold the gnome if you're on the move. And on a replay, it even did a nice job of adding even more tension to the first half of chapter Jeff. (This last note is for anyone that reads this and plans on doing the gnome achievement. As of last time I played, the Strider elevator was very glitchy and kept sucking the gnome through the ground. I recommend holding Chompsky, on top of the big box you hide behind, with both hands.)

[@Megaphonix]

So cool to see someone else pick up on the use of music stems and their integration into the gameplay (around 43:00). One particularly compelling use of this is in the very first train station level - when you see zombies coming towards you in the distance, there's a faint sound warning you of their presence, but as they come progressively closer to you, it starts to get REAL intense, REAL fast. When you end up face-to-face with a zombie, the eerie ambient sound design is TERRIFYING. Heightens the experience massively!

[@reesepufferson5619]

"Retrospective"??? The game's been out for a month.

[@littlesnowflakepunk855]

It's more just a spective

[@r.p.7174]

Tecnically speaking, a retrospective is a look back at something. Nobody said it had to be particularly far back.

[@literatemax]

To complete the series of course!

[@soupcan5948]

This guy gets it.

[@TerenceA72]

@@r.p.7174 Yeah but this was written two days before the game came out.

[@arkyun]

This is one of the only really long videos I've actually watched all the way through nowadays. Great video.

[@LosHuxleys]

ark I didn’t even realize it was thaat long until you said that :o that’s how good it is

[@docsgearheadgaming2503]

Liam i know this is an older video but with your Production quality how the hell do you only have 80k Sub's. Easily the most informative and enthralling game dive's out there, hands down. All of your HalfLife stuff made me feel like I did when it was released in 98. And seems Im 33 now. That was 23 years ago. So for you to make a gamer feel that way again about one of his favorite series he almost forgot about..... Bravo good sir. Looking forward to future content. And CANT WAIT to get VR. 2020's been rough. VR has to wait i guess lol. Tanks for the entertainment brother! Keep it up.

[@TheAlienGangster]

What I respect about current Valve is that they understand the responsibility they have in making a Half-Life game. So much so that it has scared them from the property for years. They know they have to make a memorable and worthy title.

[@ryanrichards7724]

Great video man! That ending of the retrospective was exactly how I reacted when seeing the gnome. The future is definitely looking bright after playing this

[@TheSnazzyMaddie69420]

I honestly think Half Lifx Alyx is the Half Life 1 of the current times. an innovative game that tests the waters of a new medium. Of course but with way better graphics and polish than half life 1

[@gyroninjamodder]

Personally, I feel like HL1 was more polished then HLA. This opinion is biased since I used continuous motion. The whole continuous motion system is lacking polish. From things like no jump mechanic, to invisible walls blocking you from moving, to having to teleport to get off a ladder. In a spot of the zoo chapter you can hold mantle and literally just walk up and out of the map (look at the speedrun). I am sure that these issues will be resolved in the next HL game.

[@TheSnazzyMaddie69420]

@@gyroninjamodder idk I've never played HLA so I can't make the proper judgement. I just assumed HLA would've been more polished on the animation and graphical side but idk in terms of gameplay

[@gyroninjamodder]

@@TheSnazzyMaddie69420 Yes, the game is high quality and the majority of it is polished. It's mainly just the last minute (in actually the last several months) smooth locomotion things. There's also some bias considering I haven't played HL1 in a long time meaning I am overlooking its flaws.

[@evolicious]

@@gyroninjamodder The flaws you refer to in HLA are 100% intended. HLA is built for people new to VR that are not acclimated to artificial locomotion. That is why it is so limited. Thankfully, that is not a limitation of the engine or game design, the developers intentionally left a lot of room for mods to account for more advanced VR mechanics that only advanced players would be able to understand and use (such as attached arms and jumping mechanics).

[@thetrashmann8140]

@@gyroninjamodder In some ways it is and in someways it isn't, I'd say it's fairly equal Half-Life: Alyx does have more bugs but that's because well a lot of things in Half-Life: Alyx is experimental so there will be bugs due to how much of the game is just experimentation.

[@oswith972]

The sound when the Alyx logo first appeared on the main menu... I'll never forget it, along with seeing that strider step right in front of you at the beginning, that just looked incredible in VR even though I already had a few years of VR experience, can't imagine what that would be like for a first time user

[@Anthrocarbon]

Thank you for putting this all together, Liam. I haven't the means to experience Alyx, and I would have never heard this essential part of the HL story if you hadn't allowed us to see it through such a human lens. Your love of the gaming medium comes through very strongly. P.S. Your video pacing and production quality are excellent. It's clear that enormous effort goes into them.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

As someone who was never a Half-Life fan but always loved and respected the series. I am truly happy for this moment that Half-life fans and truly all fans of FPSes and VR have been waiting for. As I cautiously wait for Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond a game us Medal of Honor fans have been waiting for years... Less time then Half-Life but almost as uncertain... I hope it will be even half as good as Half-Life Alyx... Thanks for the video it's the best essay/review of this game on KZbin I've seen, keep up the good work.

[@evolicious]

I was able to play the medal of honor demo a while back at OC6. It's more on the line of Arizona Sunshine and seemed like the developers were in an echo chamber and really have no idea how to make a VR game. Hopefully the full experience will be much better, but from what I saw (and watching the tested video), it was like playing a gen 1 VR game from the early days. But again, hopefully that has all changed since then. Here is the tested video on the game: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3OyioinbtCglac

[@Paradox-hv6wr]

"When I experienced this for the first time, I wanted to SCREAM in excitement." You DIDN'T scream in excitement? I sure as hell did. Broke the sound barrier and went in and out of stasis for a few milliseconds in the process too!

[@loomhigh]

that's nothing. when hl1 was released Gordon went into stasis for 20 odd years

[@jaywerner8415]

It would be funny if the next half life game brought back everyone's favorite corporal. It just seems fitting somehow to have Gordon, Barney and Shepherd still alive in the future. Like i can picture Gordon and Shepherd meeting as 2 silent men that somehow know each other (after all shepherd has that gas mask on) Or he would end up sounding similar to the Combine and say something like "We where told to forget, but i still remember you and that suit". It really is fascinating how EVERYTHING about half life has just sunk itself into everyone and we just want MORE.

[@richiexec]

I was checking like three times if I liked your video or not in moments I really saw myself in your description of your feelings. I felt like crying when I started and ended the game. Great work!

[@electricplayz4778]

Half life alyx is a fucking masterpiece, it is amazing regardless of hardware (with obvious exceptions) I played it with the original Oculus rift and it was the best experience I've ever had in VR.

[@replytothisifyouhavedumb7250]

When you mentioned tf2 I remembered that I consistently forget when jungle inferno happened and then remembered that bots are still a massive problem in the game

[@jordandowney2108]

love this vid- saw your other HL vds- glad you're a bit more happy! here's to another ten+ years of waiting:)

[@ntf-airsoft1173]

loveing your Retrospective videos, just found your halflife one and now im on a binge. side note I was able to get an emale out to gabe and he dident say much but the replay has me exited.

[@lucasrhan]

Sneaky turret from Portal on the wall at 42:43

[@son12509]

Valve is the most innovative company in all of gaming since steam launched. They are the best. I will always love them.

[@Tyranidex]

Hey, i just discovered your channel and I've just finished Half Life Alyx. I'm realy happy to see other fan like you (and me). I too almost cried the first time i launched it, and at the end. Taking that crowbar felt incredibly good. Really nice video, made me feel some chills again. Subbed.

[@ChimmieMpeg]

God I've watched this video about 10 times before, it never gets old. Great work Liam!

[@MystikGaming20]

God, even when I watched that final sequence a thousand times, I can't help but bring a tear to the HEV Suit alert.

[@AspelShuyin]

I never knew about the cage full of cardboard, I just sort of guessed correctly at the vortigaunt puzzle because that's what you can see when you look in that direction at the wall. Hell, I didn't even notice it was an eye while going down the hallway.

[@BlizzardBro]

I hope we can still see arctic environments in episode 3/hl3. They would be so pretty, knowing Valve's art direction. Great video!

[@Enseeyar]

"...no melee weapons means no crowbar, and a VR based sequel featuring Gordon Freeman is unlikely to happen" I still think HL3 would be coming on VR. Valve proves that they can make Portal 2 in multiplayer (something they previously said wouldn't happen), it wouldn't be a stretch that they can make melee weapons work.

[@jared20089]

I really wonder how they'd not alienate KB+M users, particularly. They definitely want to make more flagship VR titles, and God DAMN if I don't want more, but HL:A was made with VR in mind, which is why it works so well-would they make HL3 with VR in mind too? Would it even be possible to make a "hybrid" game (i.e. great for both KB+M and VR users), as to not alienate their larger player base? Whatever Valve does though, I'm sure it'll be great.

[@CharlieViking95]

So sad I don't get to experience this supposed masterpiece for myself but watching content like this makes it more bearable!

[@volf8915]

Great video! I never thought about your theory about the ending about how Episode 3 was an alternate timeline and that G-Man didn't want Eli to die but I completely agree with it. And with Project Borealis, its makes it all exciting again. I wrote my first critique on Alyx and I was surprised and how much we agreed about that game. If you get some time check it out. Keep up the great work!

[@realCaveJohnson]

"What would you want nudged, Miss Vance?" Me preparing for the hordes of Alyx x Gman fanfiction: 6 .6

[@chrishusky1464]

I watched one Czech KZbinr Play HL: Alyx the day it came out and I was hooked to it, I never really played HL I only knew it existed but even hearing from my friends that a new HL game was announced made me instantly play Half Life, Black Mesa, Half Life 2, Episode One and Episode Two in 2 weeks. When I saw the ending my heart stopped beating and even now, 2 years after it came out, After seeing the ending 3 times, and when I watched this video, knowing what exactly was going to happen, my heart stopped again and I just listened, and after seeing the cliffhanger 4th time, I swear a tear came out of my eye, a tear of happiness. Btw, Awesome Video, I love your Retrospectives

[@Huntracony]

One thing will bug me until I say it: you can't have a retrospective on a month old game. A retrospective is basically an analysis with the benefit of hindsight and we don't have this hindsight yet. Now I've got that out of the way I can probably enjoy the video a lot more.

[@VroodenTheGreat]

6:00 It says a lot about how far VR has come that they released it as VR only. Anyone that has played this game knows it won't translate well onto a flat screen. As a boneworks player, I have to appreciate how hard Valve tried to make this game easy to play in VR. A lot of things like climbing, locomotion and weapon handling can be tricky for new VR users. I think they did a good job of making it fun to play and easy to control. I personally bought it for the textures and photorealistic quality. Haven't had a good full length game like that yet. I wouldn't recommend someone buy a VR setup for this game, however, if VR is something you're interested in, this is a good example of what is possible.

[@rsouthern3753]

Absoulotly amazing. Watched the whole thing in one. Well done

[@person3439]

I liked that part where you obsessed over a wall for like 10 minutes.

[@cheers5561]

From what I heard, the animations were somewhat mo capped. They would use mo cap but only as a reference. They would then remake the animations use standard animation, using the mo cap footage as a reference.

[@gyroninjamodder]

That is pretty standard practice.

[@evolicious]

@@gyroninjamodder Not with real-time physics interactions along with the animations. This is the first of it's kind! Usually it's a set render, but due to lots of detailed collisions and the physics environment, the animations are seemingly extremely life-like. It's a very innovative way to convey real movement, and all done real-time, in VR.

[@gyroninjamodder]

@@evolicious Can you give an example this realtime physics + animation blend?

[@cinemalazare4850]

@@evolicious its not that new. AAA games have been doing the thing for around 10 or 5 years.

[@DawnAfternoon]

@@cinemalazare4850 Not animations that adjust to your minute movements. Most traditional animations are done statically with the press of a keyboard button or controller button. VR has a special challenge in that all movable items needs to dynamically react to where your hand is. For example, pulling a lever in pancake mode would be a simple animation activated by a button press, but in VR you can fuck around and wiggle the lever animation midway. How would you dynamically resolve the animation via the traditional method?

[@markofthehack9814]

I'm sure that Rick is smiling at you as he's Rocketjumping in Heaven.

[@fet4314]

I haven´t seen a complete HL:A walktrought and with your video you just gave me hope I lost all those years ago. Thank you.

[@tommykarrick9130]

After a couple years, I feel like between Boneworks and Half Life: Alyx, Alyx is the better game, but Boneworks is the better VR game, if that makes any sense. Alyx is incredible in spite of its limitations, it was made in an age before VR mechanics were standardized. In a modern VR game you expect your character to have physics and weight, you expect a sprint or jump button, a physics based climbing system, you expect to have an actual body, and the ability to pick up or drop weapons as you please rather than having them glued to your hand on a weapon wheel. Not to mention that no modern VR game would ship with teleport locomotion as the default. But in spite of all of those extreme limitations compared to modern VR, the incredible amount of polish and care poured into Alyx has made it continue to stand out to this day as the gold standard of not just what VR is capable of, but gaming in general. Boneworks, on the other hand, has lots of rough edges. It feels at times like a mod of a game that doesn’t exist, and that’s kind of what it’s going for even narratively. It’s buggy, it’s rough around the edges, it’s story is somewhat lackluster, but in spite of all of that, it gets VR. It makes you climb, jump, sprint, swing weapons around with your whole body, pull yourself up over ledges, run out of ammo and start frantically bashing zombies’ heads in with your emptied gun. You’re in it, you have so much freedom to do whatever you want. Is it more immersive than Alyx? No. But it’s more modern from a mechanical perspective. Basically what I’m saying is that back then nobody knew what would be viable or acceptable in a VR game, valve was driving totally blind and they nailed it for the time, but the medium is moving forward and mechanically Alyx is already outdated. But now that those standards and foundations are here and generally agreed upon by everyone in the space, I can’t wait to see what valve does in VR next.

[@asp2410]

2:40 Your selection of OST was on point as you put the sequence after it. I was wondering how you gonna transition as you played it from the beginning with the main part of song being so hype. Its one of my fav OSTs from the game.

[@masterzoroark6664]

Ending of ending music from HL:A, I still hear HEV from the after credits scene

[@benkitt6663]

You"re very good at these man. Keep up the great work. 👌🏼

[@zzFluke]

I was not able to afford setup for the game in 2020, but I knew I need to wait. So, in 2021 I bought my first HMD - Oculus Quest 2 which is the magic value for money. There is also outstanding Virtual Desktop (official AirLink is coming as I'm writing this) for wireless and the most immersive experience. Alyx was my second VR experience after Oculus tutorial games and I was blown away! I'm 33 yo having a kid and responsibilities ... so I've spent a week or so playing at night till 3am, for a 2-3 hours straight with my light turned on (inside-out tracking) that my neighbours might have thought I turn crazy crouching, jumping and swirling in my room. I didn't do a leap till the end on purpose, dosing up the enjoyment. That all was worth every single moment! VALVE, thanks for everything you did and will do ;) I appreciate it so much! Liam, thanks for all your thoughtful and deep videos, this is the level of fan I consider myself.

[@ashleyva1461]

When Valve shows that a game will come: I bet it's gonna be hell... Artifact - A DOTA Card Game: *loud annoyed groans*

[@Double_Quarter_Pounder]

I hope that for HL3 they make something like squadrons where you can play in Virtual Reality or in a flat screen mode with the source 2 engine

[@simon.r.k]

I love how the combine battle music is for hl alyx like nuclear mission jam and the credits music like triage at dawn/path of borealis.

[@TheRundas95]

Your Retrospective Video are perfect, and this ones is no excpetion, And half lfie Alyx is a incredible experience, Keep up your hardwork, i'm looking for the next one,

[@supernoodles0225]

Definitely the best analysis of a game I've ever heard

[@mr_sauce_cooks]

Half-Life: ALYX is retro now? I'm old :(

[@k7alim]

Loved this one! Great work

[@TheGameGrinder]

Great video! I went into Alyx cautiously optimistic, and it exceeded my expectations. Valve reminded me why I love them and their games as much as I do. Absolutely a must-play game, and it sets the bar for VR. I cannot wait for what's coming next.