Half-Life: Alyx vs Half-Life 2 | Direct Comparison

[@belowaverage13]

13:32 Flexing in March 2020

[@ravinrocket3456]

Noobos lmao

[@Nick930]

Each time I opened a locker and found rolls of TP, I felt like I found a gold mine. Who needs shotgun shells when there's so much TP in the quarantine zone!

[@under_games165]

Who knew a Quarantine Zone had tons of unused toilet paper.

[@belowaverage13]

@@Nick930 lol

[@belowaverage13]

@@Nick930 thx for the pin and heart btw

[@pokey5509]

You know what's missing in HL: Alyx? "body_hitting_the_ground.mp3"

[@berat700_]

Actually "body_hitting_the_ground.wav"

[@ethanlivemere1162]

Especially it playing for five seconds straight when a ragdoll gets stuck in a door

[@thepeanut5747]

BaSlamshBswishoshwhslamack

[@thepeanut5747]

Sounds of body's whacking stuff playing over each other, like the trump and biden debate

[@thepeanut5747]

Also does anyone have the sound because I can't get it because half life is on my Xbox not on my pc

[@SameToken]

I love how they handled all the Xen materials in Alyx

[@gaspanic5279]

I'm hoping some modders recreated alyx as a normal fps game

[@leaf5216]

@@gaspanic5279 It would be like an hour long if you did that

[@alkoia]

@@gaspanic5279 it would fucking suck. this game is made for vr only, end of story.

[@Asghaad]

@@gaspanic5279 basically impossible, most of the gameplay outside of combat is based around VR controls and even combat itself and weapon handling wouldnt make sense in pancake mode.

[@sqly3129]

@@Asghaad there is already mod under way to export whole game to source2

[@ChrisS-jd2us]

“I used the cliffhanger to destroy the cliffhanger” -Valve

[@dr.cheeze5382]

-release your franchise, Ms vance. -good, as a consequence of your actions half-life 3 will continue and episile 3 will not...

[@mikhailpopovkin.6169]

They made cliffhanger in part 1, then in part 2 episode 2, again in Alyx, imagine if they do something like that in part 3~

[@darassylmoniakam]

they love to show us their big fingers.

[@natebit8130]

@WeakieDave Desk This is getting out of hand. NOW THERE ARE TWO OF THEM!

[@MrLESLO]

12:59 - pretty sure Valve mostly set objects opacity to 0 when you pick them up as hand shadows are never rendered...I don't think it's for performance, more aesthetics, as showing the shadow of a floating object without the shadow of floating hands holding objects would just look strange. The decision to not render the shadows of the hands was likely for the same reason, they'd need to render Alyx's whole bodies shadow, and it likely would've created some very janky looking shadows based on how how unnaturally you'd be able to contort her arms based on where you're holding the controllers. ;)

[@KP-48-007]

That's my thought too, but I think hand shadows on would be fine because disappearing shadows are more weird

[@solaris5303]

An object with an opacity of 0 would be an invisible object. I assume you're referring to the _shadow_ opacity, in which case they were likely actually disabled entirely as not to waste GPU power on rendering shadows only to mask them out.

[@lukkkasz323]

@@solaris5303 I think the game engine automatically disables render of objects with the opacity of 0. Not sure about that, but HL1 did that so why not?

[@Wertyhappy27]

wouldn't it be possible to do some reverse kinematics, would work since you can only move your hands in realistic ways, since well, you are using your rral hands to control

[@vibaj16]

@@Wertyhappy27 not really, there's multiple ways to orient your arms for the same hand positions

[@tyranids4ever]

Still important to note that a lot of HL2 models still emote better than many current games.

[@boiguy859]

Yea to me the graphics In the source 2 engine still look incredible but they look a little bit more like the ones in modern engines as of today for some reason

[@Lidoe]

@@boiguy859 Pretty sure that’s the point

[@bas919]

The facial movements in HL2 is still one of the most realistic, if not the most realistic, even compared to latest titles. Like, them wrinkling between Alyx's eyebrows from some of her expressions are too damn defined for 2004.

[@sword_racer185]

@@bas919 yeah hl2 aged like fine wine

[@flying-magpie]

I played Half Life 2 recently, it was the first time I ever played the game, and I was absolutely shocked at how good the animations of the characters were for a game that came out in 2004.

[@johnsioumis329]

Thanks valve for the "throwing TV out of the window" mechanics you've been providing all these years.

[@KaraokeNig]

Defenestration

[@tfdthefirst1098]

gordon has gone from ruining casseroles to tvs and has teamed up with another tv destroyer. Tis is basically the Half Life storyline.

[@ericborn382]

hehe 69

[@ericborn382]

Bob - Dorime Master hey, I don’t know about your financial situation but I saved for like 6 months and finally got a oculus quest I’m a believer in VR and I’m almost 100% sure you’ll love it

[@ericborn382]

Bob - Dorime Master it’s funny because I just turned fifteen 11 days ago Edit: although I did get Christmas money and I have a 50$ a month allowance, also I did some jobs for my dad

[@Terra-Antares]

16:06 That combine soldier's terrified voice sealed the deal, there was also a humorous part about 2 combine soldiers later in the game, where one is kicking a (definitely dead) strider with his mate telling overwatch that he's kicking it, I think we all know that scene, it just reminds you that they're technically humans as well.

[@arandomwarlock7414]

16:04*

[@AppleManiagaming]

Overwatch says don't kick it

[@nexus95]

What does he even say?

[@arteyy3388]

@@nexus95 he needs a sandwich

[@salt_97]

I don't think those are actual transhuman soldiers. The ones in navy are likely the actual transhuman infantry, as they act far more robotic than the light coloured ones and resemble the Half-life 2 soldier more.

[@xenaskye8216]

I really think that with the ending (No Spoilers). They should've used the Combine Elite Soldiers... I really miss them!

[@lufuxi7923]

i hoped while playing that i will meet them in one of the levels. but i didn´t. a little bit disappointment but awesome game

[@akillerpacman1709]

“Stop kicking it!” “Overwatch says to stop kicking it.” ... “He stopped kicking it.”

[@annoyingguyoninternet1631]

You basically spoiled that there will be no combine elite solders

[@lufuxi7923]

@@annoyingguyoninternet1631 you can´t spoil what isn´t there :P

[@jare7134]

Elite soldiers were only developed after this event. The main combine realize that humans are a little incompetent with their job so they try to make a super soldier. Without spoiling anything, they are suppose to do this "very important job" but ended up failing because of a 19 year old girl and some vorti bros.

[@BaconPuncakesX]

15:35 when i used the "can't use" sound in HL:A, i was like "oh my god.." IT'S SO NOSTALGIC, even if it's sorta reused, it's a nice addition for when you're out of ammo overall, i like how they reused some sounds from the original HL2.

[@lukkkasz323]

Some of these sounds are even in Dota 2 and CS:GO.

[@Agustin_Leal]

Sad they changed a lot of the aliens classic sounds for generic ones

[@itdobelikedattho8112]

@@lukkkasz323 and l4d and tf

[@Robdarian]

Someone show this to Linus, he thinks Alyx doesn't look any better than HL2.

[@PJBonoVox]

The tech tips guy? He's an overrated fucking moron, so that figures.

[@lockofmetal8894]

You serious? I gotta look that up.

[@thefilmdirector1]

@@PJBonoVox compared to other games its really not that good looking, so much processing power wasted on VR tech that could have made the game look even better. It doesnt look anywhere as dated as 2, but lets not call this a graphical masterpiece, its just not.

[@PJBonoVox]

@@thefilmdirector1 No-one said it was a graphical masterpiece.

[@peoplehatealex3xten550]

@@thefilmdirector1 but it wouldn't be nearly as immersive on PC be was used for the immersion effect

[@H-O-]

13:31 Apparently City 17 is also short on tissue

[@billyraynsford8884]

lol haha in fact its very much the opposite you see toilet tissue all over the game :D....

[@MentalParadox]

*jokes only 2020 kids will understand*

[@NoExplosionsMcgee]

Lol

[@Viviana088]

Reminder, unnecessary hoarding of toilet paper will result in permanent off world relocation.

[@brocksinclair66]

Im really impressed with the audio in this game. Every sound is so crisp and clear. Sounds like it comes from the actual direction its being emitted from

[@osuryan3585]

Bruh what year are you from lol. Never played fps??

[@brocksinclair66]

@@osuryan3585 97? But whats that got to do with anything. Csgo is the only game that has good audio. Pubg has trash audio, call of duty footsteps are twice as loud as anything else. Its just impressive seeing a game with immersive audio

[@osuryan3585]

@@brocksinclair66 well to be fair i don't really play cod and only csgo. HL:A Definitely has nice sounds but it's not the main selling point to me.

[@brocksinclair66]

@@osuryan3585 definitely not the main selling point i agree. Its just refreshing to its done correctly

[@Arjun-eb1yc]

Sounds great in a VR headset, for some reason sounds underwhelming on youtube when not in the game.

[@zyroniv9143]

Something that I miss from hl1 it's MUTILATION, remember when anything alive could explode in pieces?

[@Ixb3rs3rkxI]

Headcrabs explode into chunks if you shoot them with the shotgun from close enough in HL:Alyx

[@brunogamesbr1]

@@Ixb3rs3rkxI and depending of how much you shoot the combine you can break their masks and reveal a little bit of their modified faces

[@meyes5671]

HL2 getting rid of the violence was one of the biggest disappointments imo

[@brunogamesbr1]

@@meyes5671 maybe that level of gore with the ragdoll physics was too difficult to program at the time? or maybe it was simply too detailed, either way, the game was still pretty gory

[@achmedzach6941]

It's called gibbing

[@arctureas3814]

"You have to constantly be aware of your surroundings, and of what expensive monitor you're about to smack..." I felt that on a spiritual level.

[@Meanpooh]

He should have turned on boundaries.

[@eternal7912]

@@Meanpooh Yeah with the boundaries, its pretty easy to not run into/smack things in VR. And there are different settings for how the boundary looks if you don't like the default grid (which I personally don't).

[@ryanpercy552]

Rather than a replacement for the SMG in half life 2, I think that the SMG in half life alyx is a replacement for the energy rifle

[@jacplac97]

HL: A "smg" is quite literally a more compact AR2 Pulse Rifle.

[@xXYannuschXx]

@@jacplac97 It's most likely the AR1, or a stubby version of the AR1. The Hazmat workers and Overwatch soldiers utilize a fully upgraded one with a longer barrel for two handed operation.

[@Autarke]

I wonder how alternative fire (enegy ball) works for pulse rifle now. I always thought that this underbarrel thing was for firing enegy ball, but now it looks like this thing needed for ammo capacity.

[@drazel4674]

The SMG in Half-Life 2 is an Heckler & Koch MP7

[@Nick930]

It's a combine SMG. It's not a replacement for the pulse rifle used in Half Life 2. It has similar tech because it's Combine - but it is not at all an upgraded version of that gun. I specifically compared the MP7 and the new combine SMGs simply because they have the same purpose in both games - high ROF with medium damage.

[@GoldenBeans]

I love their approach to quality over quantity i dont like that its been years, but i feel like they put time and care in every game they make so that makes it all okay to me

[@fagglebag]

It’s not okay that Episode 3 was promised but never released and a decade is still a long time for a AAA company to acknowledge its fan base but this game is a nice repayment and hopefully HL3 will be even more so.

[@GoldenBeans]

@@fagglebag you're right waiting that long is not okay, but i hope they redeem and give us hl3 thanks to the positive feedback from hl: alyx the source engine 2 is finished so they can get to work fast using that engine

[@bradleygeiman2942]

They made this game in three years, what happened to the other ten

[@LineOfThy]

@@bradleygeiman2942 engine development

[@creepwit86]

Hl:A's combine looks... *T H I C C*

[@Nick930]

Fov extended for VR

[@Shiroiji]

I called them the CHONKbine :D

[@viccyyboii3308]

I just wanna slap them heads ngl.

[@creepwit86]

@@viccyyboii3308 i feel i wanna drag em and *"BEAT THE CRAP OF EVERY SINGLE ONE..."*

[@G-741-S]

I love Combine Soldiers

[@tiramisu4765]

I like how Valve just chooses to release their game on a platform they think would be successful or phemomenal. First was Half Life 2 which is now considered by many as one of their best games played on PC. And now they release Alyx, which is on a different platform and is already gaining popularity because of how well created it is. I think in a few years or so, this game would also be considered as one of the best games in VR. Valve will soon cement their name in 2 different platforms as a good game developer

[@simulacrumdei6462]

It's what they do

[@self-proclaimedanimator]

Still waiting for Half Life: Tile Matching, Immersive experience for mobile

[@MayinMayo]

i was gonna say it is considered one of the best vr games but i noticed you when you said this lol

[@theunknown9557]

16:04 I love the combine voice and death sound

[@Meanpooh]

Half-Life Alyx is a good contender for GOTY. The most immersive game I have ever played.

[@PJBonoVox]

Agreed. My only single gripe is that the G-man looks too... normal. I was hoping the 2020 version of him would be just as gaunt and strange looking, just in more detail.

[@Meanpooh]

@@PJBonoVox That would have been so cool if they made him like that.👍

[@YourLocalYter]

What's Goty

[@piecrumbs9951]

Spaceinvoider Game of the year

[@piecrumbs9951]

Phil Underhill I actually loved the way he looked in Alxy. When you’re looking at him in VR, he definitely looks just a little off, to the point where it’s not immediately obvious, but enough to give you a strange vibe about him. Like every other time you look at him he looks a little stranger.

[@azzaprime7257]

HL-A is a modern day masterpiece, Valve is at it again.

[@comrademays9631]

@Glorious Bastard tell me which game did a revolutionary change in VR like HL-A?

[@Meanpooh]

Absolutely agree. This game is scary even when its not. Everything feels so threatening and life size. Slowly working my way through it. Btw, the Lightning Dog is one of my favorite creatures.

[@homelessalcoholic2716]

My only issue is that they've locked out a good bit of the half life fanbase from enjoying the experience unless they fork over a bunch of cash for VR when most of them had perfectly good PCs. I ain't dissing, but it just seems not the coolest

[@HardlyBrandon]

@Son of Europa This takes place 5 years before 2....

[@thebadwolf3088]

@@Meanpooh I strongly disagree, I don't think this game is scary at all, enemies look pathetic compared to how scary they were in HL 2

[@duchi882]

The fact that you can draw a PP on a window is enough for me to rate Half-Life Alyx -10 out of 10- Big PP rating

[@LuisAvila-kn8ex]

Duchi smells like reddit in here. No a very pleasant smell

[@W00JDA]

GOTY

[@masterzoroark6664]

Biggy P

[@reyhan0447]

Please refrain from here reddit user

[@Fishlipsandbabyhands]

Reyhan04 please refrain from here normie reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

[@pineracolada5766]

You missed a pretty subtle sound design aspect in alyx. With player movement of hands and head you can hear Alyx's clothing creasing and stretching

[@pismodude2]

I noticed that! I almost thought for a second I was wearing clothing in real life.

[@Sadeness99]

@@pismodude2 wait what-

[@Geddy135]

Ugh, time to boot it up again and do some stretches... seriously tho, I played this game for just shy of 20 hours, how did I not notice that?

[@UNSCPILOT]

@@Geddy135 there is *So Much* to notice that it's easy to miss stuff, makes the game very replayable

[@Vitoreo]

I... never noticed that. Prime example of if you dont notice it its perfect.

[@miecraftandmoregames]

regular headcrabs are so cute when they flop and roll around. also the physiscs are incredible on those lil suckers.

[@self-proclaimedanimator]

I fear no man , but you scares me

[@ShayoX]

They really improved everything on Source 2 I would love to see Half-Life 2 on Source 2

[@DV0N]

I saw on reddit that there is a project aiming for doing that already so yeah, see ya in 8 years or so

[@Autarke]

I would love to see complete HL2 remake for VR. And then HL1... and then episodes.

[@generalfeeessh7764]

@@DV0N That wouldn't be the full source 2 engine tho because the SDK isn't out.

[@slefy7229]

@@Autarke doubt that will ever happen. the mechanics would be way off and wouldn't even feel like half life at that point

[@masterzoroark6664]

I see your profile pic. "Gordon Freeman in the flesh"

[@studentbeast4597]

the sound you emmit changes depending on the evironment

[@rez9914]

Student Beast that was literally In the first half life, still impressive though

[@Zer0nite]

@@rez9914 It's much less organic in the originals though.

[@Radwar99]

I have been going through the whole series again since Black Mesa has been officially released, great times. 1) Black Mesa, 2) Opposing Force, 3) Blue Shift, 4) Half Life 2, 5) Episode 1, 6) Episode 2, 7) Portal, 8) Portal 2 And now only Half Life: Alyx will remain. PS. I had forgotten how much Cave Johnson was hysterical.

[@Radwar99]

@libnny gutierrez , I did, I played Black Mesa which is a modern remake of Half Life 1. If there would've been modern remakes of the original addons I would've played those instead but there aren't any.

[@thorsten8790]

@libnny gutierrez The original is not as good as Black Mesa, Black mesa greatly improved the game in all areas, Playing Half Life 1 is only justified for nostalgias sake now.

[@Radwar99]

@@thorsten8790 Yeah, Xen is an incredible improvement over the original in every way possible. Also it isn't fun playing 2 versions of the same game one after the other.

[@electricforest17]

just saying Opposing Force and Blue Shift are non-canon

[@bingus2358]

Electric Forest wrong

[@Harpotos]

My crappy prior job as a warehouse worker, where I stood and walked around for 8 hours straight every day, has made me ready for this.

[@bipolingdaco1607]

Good calorie burner.

[@Cmaadd]

@@bipolingdaco1607 u might wanna watch penguinz0 video on the guy from your pfp to learn a little about him... might wanna change your pfp after

[@bipolingdaco1607]

@@Cmaadd lol I know what he's all about. That's why I like the pfp more.

[@bipolingdaco1607]

@Matthew Rendenm lmao no. I like how he pisses people off.

[@bipolingdaco1607]

@Matthew Rendenm I don't but I bet you do.

[@dezzaboii]

*It was awesome to see all the hl2 props remastered, even just seeing a simple paint bucket from hl2 in hlA was dope.*

[@misterscorpius1446]

"You can even drive around in vehicles, which are not available in Alyx at all" Oh nooooo

[@drewmagoo1]

I think there's a reason for that. They probably would've made a lot of people "car sick."

[@z_monty]

I tried driving in VR and can confirm, not pleasant.

[@z_monty]

Would take a lot of getting used to

[@lockofmetal8894]

@@sfjlfkjsdlfkjds By selling a 1000euro worth of equipment to play it? Idk man.

[@Flash0728]

@@sfjlfkjsdlfkjds Certainly got me into it.

[@666braydon]

there are 100% some water effects, in the beginning of the game when the floating cardboard starts. at the black mesa grafiti button puzzle

[@W00JDA]

When i saw you shooting at jeff inside locked elevator, something inside me died.

[@Nick930]

I was stuck there for a bit lol. I obviously had footage of what ur supposed to do, but didnt want to spoil everything

[@miguelmalvina5200]

Jeff is the best character in the game

[@getarmless2402]

@@miguelmalvina5200 But not better than Laszlo

[@jmrwacko]

@@miguelmalvina5200 fucking Jeff

[@Saidriak]

1:14 "half life 2 of course handles like any other first person shooter" Desinc and speed runners: I beg to differ...

[@dirkdex]

Great job covering so many details! Did you mention that Alyx evens talks differently when you cover your mouth? Yes, the game is a MUST PLAY and is absolutely amazing in VR! It would seem quite dull to play in 2D. Super well-done Valve as always!

[@masterzoroark6664]

I guess the combine soldiers look different also because they wear gear which helps them fight in the quarantine zone.

[@TheFlygnr]

Yeah!!

[@jaredgabriel9662]

Yeah so 5 yrs later qz is just ravenholm i guess

[@auzabraar]

15:39 I think it would be more fitting if you compare the HLA AR with the HL2 AR instead of the SMG

[@Nick930]

I considered that, but the AR was so fundamentally different

[@auzabraar]

@@Nick930 but it looks more like the HL2 AR stripped down for one handed use, the firing mechanism is also exactly the same as HL2 AR

[@Nick930]

@@auzabraar i know, i noticed, but its still an SMG. Not a bulky assault rifle. The general idea is to show how weapons within the same class compare. The new smg is clearly combine tech, but its not at all the same as their pulse rifle

[@lukkkasz323]

@@Nick930 You compare sound design, i think it's more important to compare the sound of the same weapon, they use same amunition and are both produced by the Combine, how many hands Alyx is using to hold them IMO doesn't matter at all.

[@belowaverage13]

nice amount of likes

[@thedoruk6324]

There were several points in the game that made any individual hesitant almost considering about killing the -Combine- Universal Union Human milita; they appear to be aware what they are doing and are unmodified; they can be heard quoting; 'it will all be over soon... I am sorry' - 'unarmed civilian, lowering the weapon' - 'sh*t!'

[@Angel-eu7pt]

I guess that at this point the combine still hadnt fully realized how humans behaved, so there is still some humanity. This also makes me think about the change of the smg, my guess is that the combine didnt sant to hand advanced technology to unmodified soldiers, even more when civilians can get their hand on them, like alyx does in the game.

[@thedoruk6324]

@@Angel-eu7pt Agreed

[@komododragonking6592]

Go watch Roanoke gaming he’ll tell about combine soldiers lore is about the barin that the universal union does to it with their technology watch I think you might like it

[@thedoruk6324]

@@komododragonking6592 I *already* did I am a follower of the Roanoke The upload had been done quite a While ago - before the Alyx

[@Angel-eu7pt]

@@thedoruk6324 He is surely doing minor updates to those videos since alyx gives us a more detailed version of the combine and such.

[@gidedin]

The audio is a completely different thing when played on the Index. It is amazing how real it sounds and feels.

[@darkhoursofday6250]

Alyx was my favorite gaming experience in a long time... probably since Skyrim. It's now one of my all time favorites and in a week I've played through twice (With and without cheats). The level of immersion is just indescribable. Seeing videos can't do it justice. It's not just amazing looking... it's damned real!

[@riskia2733]

I knew HL:A would be another revolutionary game by valve

[@NoneRain_]

revolutionary? No. It's a well invested VR game, with good story and good gameplay, but it doesn't bring anything new or "revolutionary" .

[@dogukankuru1969]

its not, except boneworks is lightyears away physics and gameplay wise

[@Target00smile]

@@NoneRain_ Ripe with limitations and immersive-breaking moments, e.g., no melee and Alyx’s limbs. But you know how gaming’s rhetorical landscape goes about: hyperboles and the omnipresent hype.

[@dogukankuru1969]

@@Target00smile especcilay melee part, in boneworks i was always carying a stick or blade to take care of easy enemies and spend my important ammo on the hard enemies, in alyx once i grabbed a stick to keep some ammos and deal with the headcrab in melee but it doesnt matter if you punch or attack with something else it doesnt register as an attack and doesnt work

[@dogukankuru1969]

or i could just use my weapon as melee weapon when im out of ammo in boneworks

[@foggyinc724]

I'm honestly shocked that a 2004 PC game looks completely different compared to a 2020 VR game.

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

I'm more shocked that a 2004 PC game that didn't brag about how much realism they had put in their facial animation technology, still looks better than one from 2017, that did. ......overly, I might add. did, indeed, overly brag, about how realistic their facial animations were.

[@pexeq]

@Casandshail I'm taking a guess, Mass Effect Andromeda?

[@doctorfaker391]

Was that sarcasm? I really can’t tell. If it’s not, could it be because of the fact that there’s 16 years of difference?

[@MrTShbib]

I’m mostly impressed with how good HL2 still looks after so much time.

[@cykablyatthemovie2424]

Im going to assume from the Combines experience with Alyx, they decided to change things up. Suits: Decrease surface area as much as possible and increase manoeuvrability while maintaining as much defence. Remove 'evident weak-points' (e.g. the canister that can blow and the grenades by either hiding them or making them more 'strong') Units: Increase quantity and interactions/co-operation w/ Overwatch and their team. Weaponry: Auto-reload or easier to reload (Pulse requires time to reload which affected their battle, shotgun has too many parts and slows down reloading, grenades become easier to 'bounce around corners' Their 'Hammer' appears to be a weapon that takes too long to shoot giving their target time to hide and attack thus deeming it worthless in extended battles, especially when there is plenty of cover available. If Im right, then the Combine feels more realistic learning from their mistakes due to Alyx.

[@NovidProkteps]

Cyka Blyat: The Movie That’s an incredible detail, which would make sense because I found it odd how the grenades looked like tape measures in HL:A compared to HL2’s actual grenades. Also you see a lot less of heavy combine in 2. Also there seemed to be far less Striders in Alyx, and with Alyx having brought one down and doing so much damage to the Combine in general, they probably sent more Striders to City-17

[@Benzy670]

Alyx has better sound design, but I am even more impressed with HL2’s sound design than I previously was when hearing a direct comparison and thinking it holds up pretty well.

[@z_monty]

I still love the flatline drone that plays on the death of a metropolice soldier

[@TheBlueMan]

@@z_monty Me too!

[@Agustin_Leal]

Half life: Alyx has a better sound design because of modern tecnology. But most of the aliens classic sounds were changed for generic ones.

[@solaris5303]

@@z_monty *Combine soldier*. There weren't any killable metrocops in the game.

[@axldejesus5640]

In short Half-Life ALYX is dope

[@Nick930]

Yes. very dope indeed

[@axldejesus5640]

I did not expect a reply :0

[@Bascanska_Ploca]

I dont care if i get hate for this but i dont like it. I dont like the fact that its VR, because now only people with 500$ headsets can play the game, meanwhile HL2 can be played on the most shitty potato there is. Even on microsoft basic display adapter. The overall ambience and athnosphere of HL2 is, in my opinion amazing. And the graphics look great more than 15 years after its release. I dont have anything against VR games but i dont see the reason to make a standard pc game (HL), than make the sequel to it (HL2) and then, out of nowhere make the sequel to the sequel a VR game for no reason what-so-ever. Then what do 90% of half life fans without a headset do? Go outside and kick rocks ? I just think its silly that alyx is a VR game meanwhile its prequels are standard mouse and keyboard games. And alyx should have looked more like its prequel, graphics-wise mainly. It kinda makes it look more like a sequel and not some random game that has nothing to do with HL2, but maybe its just me.

[@MouseR985]

@@Bascanska_Ploca you already need a strong pc to run alyx so if you can afford that you can defenetly also afford a vr headset. Your point?

[@gabishgab9150]

@@Bascanska_Ploca wait a game from 16 years ago runs well on bad graphics cards from nowadays? Would n e v e r have expected that!

[@SmartK8]

I wish they built a "theme" park for Half-Life with life sized parkour of a City-17.

[@karaokeape]

Well - here it is! On your own Holodeck at home! :)

[@thefreeman1970]

I love the way alyx's voice changes with the environment she stands in. If you stand directly in front of a wall it sounds entirely different than if you stand in the middle of a room

[@thechino]

*16* years later, Half-Life 2 still looks remarkable.

[@White927]

Half life 2 is better than Alyx. But alyx also a good game.

[@emulatorisland7417]

@@White927 Ehh, I wouldn't think so but I respect your opinion. I do believe the maps in HL2 are more fun tho and offered some fun stuff.

[@DmanDice]

@@emulatorisland7417 We're seeing the truth now that HL2 has a real vr mod. alyx only has a graphical advantage. And yes still just opinions.

[@nick33ee]

i think alyx is quite fun. its quite hard to play half life in vr. mainly when controlling the vehicles. but i think its me. cuz i use a slide with touch... not a joystick.

[@BurgBulletin]

I remember how amazed my dad was looking at HL2's graphics

[@simulify8726]

Mount and Blade II vs Mount and Blade I, and Resident Evil 3 remake vs Resident Evil 3 Original are two planned comparisons.

[@Nick930]

Well.. at least one of those is true

[@december12twok12]

@@Nick930 Do them both anyway.

[@propsmovv9299]

Half life 2 combine : *1 shotgun shells, died* HLA: *3 fockin or 4 shells*

[@naufalxiips4374]

you can 1 hit a combine in the head in Alyx

[@propsmovv9299]

@@naufalxiips4374 yeah but i mean body shots

[@slefy7229]

@@propsmovv9299 it kinda makes sense tho considering their technology is from another dimension. Or that the shotgun used is weaker than the one in hl2

[@alephkasai9384]

Gordon is using a full sized Spas 12. Alyx is using something that has maybe a quarter of the barrel length of a spas 12.

[@propsmovv9299]

@@alephkasai9384 oh lol

[@RichardServello]

I'm absolutely LOVING Alyx! Played again last night and it's just SO GOOD.

[@MegaChickenfish]

11:50 I would particularly recommend "Half-Life 2: Update" on Steam for anyone replaying HL2, adding in all the fancy lighting effects that came later to make HL2 look as good, if not better, than its later episodes.

[@roblox_talon_gaming1309]

Honestly, when I played update I honestly didn't see...anything changed

[@ThePigeon5734]

0:42 a perfect look at changes in how characters act...

[@Peter_Turbo4]

I like how the combine will engage in Idle chatter that's relevant to the situation

[@dalvittra]

Half life 2 looked amazing for the time

[@dalvittra]

@True Roman true

[@roger5555ful]

And also the gameplay is still as great as back than,Half Life 2 really really aged well

[@Balnazzardi]

True, but not REALLY groundbreaking (unlike the first game). In 2004 we also got such games as Far Cry and Doom 3 that pushed graphics/visuals forward in even better way than HL2 did. Dont get me wrong HL2 had the best physics, facial animation and possibly most detailed environments for its time, but from pure graphical/visual side I thought Far Cry and Doom 3 in many areas were actually even more impressive. 2004 still is the best year in gaming btw as far as Im concerned, cause aside from those we got so many other/biggest games of that "generation" in 2004.

[@roger5555ful]

@@Balnazzardi Doom is bad,real bad the gunplay sucked than and guess what? it sucks now even in BFG

[@Balnazzardi]

@@roger5555ful Well thats like...your opinion dude. Personally I really like Doom 3. It was damn atmospheric game back in 2004 and I loved it!

[@highlander5569]

I love the fact that the combines panic when you shoot the tank

[@ruadeil_zabelin]

I can't stress enough how much better this game looks through the VR headset vs the "flat" render you see in videos. The difference is huge, and it's hard to explain why.

[@sqlevolicious]

"presence" is the word you are looking for. It's a feeling that cannot be noticed except for in VR.

[@jaredgabriel9662]

Why tf

[@collaborisgaming2190]

5:03 it was based of the USP-C Match Made by Heckler and Koch the SMG was also a Heckler and Koch Prototype for the MP7 1911s use .45 ACP stronger and slower bullet meant to knock enemies back 9mm was adopted by most of the world due to it's balance between recoil and stopping power. surprised alyx hasn't injured herself from the recoil using it with a single hand (Biologically especially, combination more dense in nerve cells (meaning females can feel more pain than male counterparts, this also however lends women to surviving head-shots more often due to nerve cells being better ballistic protection than fat or muscle. the pain also keeps the victim from moving around too much and having the bullet Rip and Tear like Doomguy cosplaying mastercheif in a Bumblebee lifepod landing on Halo on the second mission in Halo CE/1 (Yes because the Cheif didn't wear a seatbelt he killed on landing all marines and pilots inside bouncing around like a Pinball in the pod itself)) and less strengthened bone composition. Malnourishment from Combine Rationing also would play a Role) 9mm or 9x19 was invented by Luger, yes the P08's designer had the last name Luger hence why it's called the Luger. the original nickname for the 9mm bullet was Parabellum, Luger's own motto "want peace, Prepare for war" 9mm 1911s do exist, the Polish Radom Vis 1938 was heavily based on the 1911 design and was in 9 millimeter. it along with the Ruby (Pocket pistol) and Antiquated Nagant 1895 revolvers (reissued from German Captured Russian Stock as Nagant Vz 95) most commonly issued to Polish BAR Units and officers Given that city 17 is in eastern Europe it might be a Radom Vis. doesn't look like a makarov nor CZ-52 (Half life 2 mod Logistique used a CZ-52 and it looked too much like a Makarov. i thought it was a Makarov until i beat the Mod. i was ashamed because i have 2 CZ-52s one in Takarov ammo like it's TT-33 Ancestor from Russia and a 9mm (one of my friends accidentally fired a TK Round through the 9mm barrel by accident, good thing the gun didn't blow up from the pressures. guess that shows the craftsmanship of who ever made the 9mm barrel conversion))

[@tommitchell2055]

The first thing I noticed about the enemies is how big they are. The headcrabs felt huge and the combine in the first elevator scene felt like they could lift me up by the throat with one hand. It's something I never got from earlier half life games

[@goldenknife3835]

You did go from a giant of a man to a 19 year old girl so

[@Nick930]

It has nothing to do with that. With a VR headset on, your height is whats represented ingame. You could be a child and retain your childlike height.

[@RichardServello]

Keep in mind...you aren't Gordan in this...you are Alyx.

[@jandotherando6637]

13:54 THATS A MINI TENTACLE MONSTER FROM HALF LIFE

[@nocturnal101ravenous6]

For all the haters about it being VR only, this is an absolute masterpiece and was more than needed for VR, it is an absolute halo product we need to get more into a mainstream level. Honestly I know it can be quite expensive, but on the Rift S this is amazing and works perfectly $400 is a lot of money but the government just cut you a check for 1200$ please think about helping grow the percentage of VR users as this has reinvigorated Valve to make games again, its not just a periph. its an ecosystem that represents a shift in modern graphics and game design you simply can't get with a flat screen, videos like this don't even come close to the awe of seeing it in 3D where depth is fully represented there is nothing more terrifying that seeing a headcrab flying past you or coming at you. HL:A isn't the only reason to own a HMD but it def. is one hell of a good reason to have one I would say Boneworks being a solid 2, while PistolWhip and Beatsaber are tied at 3 with 4 Lucky's Tale and Moss at a tie. I wish Capcom would port RE7 to PC for the headsets as that is a major reason why and where HMDs make a strong case and shine.

[@mrhunterf2869]

Having a headset is only the first part. Your PC needs to meet a system requirement also, cost of the game. That's a slot if you don't have any of those things. Also headsets in Australia are between $600 - $1200.

[@brunogamesbr1]

​@@mrhunterf2869 i mean, that's half life for you, the average gamer in 2004 probably had to upgrade their pcs to play half life 2 too. Although, i have to agree that the prices of the headsets outside of the us are ridiculous, the price of the Rift S is 6000 reais here in brazil, 3500 for the cheapest Acer Windows Mixed Reality headset, and the Index, well... you can't even buy it without importing, but it won't be cheaper than 10k, for perspective, our minimun wage is R$4,75 per hour, and i'm a broke university student, who will probably never see any kind of vr equipment in person for the next 5 years, so... yeah, it sucks ;-;

[@rory3657]

I’m really in love with the simple stuff in their game like being able to crush a can in your hand with the right announcer of pressure and rubbing marker off the window with your fingers .

[@colewilliams9490]

8:04 there is actually 4 zombie models in the previous game before Alyx thete was the Zombie, the Fast Zombie, Poison zombie,Zombine.

[@bobREALOG]

2 zombine models

[@NoExplosionsMcgee]

Yeah, Source 2 certainly does make Half-Life: Alyx one of the better looking VR games out there atm. I would love to see how far Source 2 can be pushed visually in some non-VR games with all that ray tracing goodness involved. Hopefully, once the Source 2 SDK is out will start to see some non-VR projects being made(Titanfall 3 and Half-Life 2 remake plzzzzz!1).

[@Cosmic-Bear.]

Source 2 has raytracing?

[@nick33ee]

i dont think half life 2 needs a remake. we did get black mesa. but half life remake? i dont see why make it.

[@arsalansyed123]

I just love the combine soldiers radio chattering. They sound so good.

[@TheFlygnr]

me too

[@Coco_724]

I love how you show off the physics by just poking, throwing, placing and bending things.

[@ManiacMonkboon]

I just now noticed the 9:30 on your logo. Been watching your vids forever and I'm just now noticing that. Also, great video as always.

[@geoneo4453]

its amazes me so much, its really incrediable how far we have come with graphics

[@vinre356]

Do a Direct Comparison with Warzone and Blackout

[@gunnarswanson9438]

That would be cool

[@YourPalHDee]

Do you really want a video to just tell you stuff you probably already know?

[@vinre356]

@@YourPalHDee nah, just to see how low effort they put into bo4 for the laughs

[@gunnarswanson9438]

@@vinre356 Lol exactly.

[@merukize19]

the combine soldier in hl alyx looks like the type of guy who would ask someone where is their power armor

[@AbysmalEnd]

NICK BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH THE TOP TIER COMPARISONS!!!!

[@bushisback112]

There are tons of people spreading misinformation in the comments, passing on their own opinions and theories as facts without any sources. Be wary

[@Igbon5]

Is this one of those?

[@tyler7239]

I feel like I'm seeing Half-Life 2 for the first time back in 2007 again.

[@kennethbergan]

props on the stunning alyx footage, curious how you achieved that

[@Nick930]

Was pretty easy actually - Valve did a great job with this release. First VR game that was easy to record the mirror window on without having to jump through hoops. That DOOM VFR footage I got for my DOOM documentary was a huge hassle

[@jonkki]

Your audio design bit sucked. You didn't have shells to reload the shotgun in HLA, so you don't actually get to compare the reloading sounds. Similarly, using the health station in HLA you were already at max health so the only thing you heard was the end chime.

[@guyofminimalimportance7]

I think a lot of Alyx's art direction is good in its own right, but I miss the more subdued look of Classic HL2. I feel like the simpler designs, and less stylized look of the combine all made the experience feel more like a post-apocalyptic earth than Alyx, where the excessive style makes the whole environment feel more alien. The weapons and gear most of the Combine used looked like re-purposed or modified versions of real-life models, owing to the Combine's focus on efficiency, having humans continue their standard production just using it for them. Meanwhile in Alyx the more sci-fi look of the guns and combine uniforms makes it look more like the entire world has had much longer to be integrated into combine society

[@randybutternubs4647]

1:00 You vs. The guy she told you not to worry about.

[@omega7334]

I was fascinated by the way the combine react to injuries and their environments, even imminent danger (take for example the part where the enemy has their gas tank damaged and ignited, they lose their composure and sound genuinely scared). It really helps to remind the player that these enemies were once human too, and adds to the realism of the series.

[@melonstudiospl1170]

This is like being a newbie in a game and fighting the last boss from the start

[@bekkayya]

1:21 wrong, any standard shooter operates like hl2

[@awokenvoid]

Tbh, Half-Life: Alyx teaches you how to use a weapon.

[@themackie2763]

More like how a firearm works, not really how to properly use it (trigger discipline, recoil management, etc.)

[@putram.629]

Bruh the vid is like 18 mins long ya'll cant be commenting about it that fast...

[@eugenenalpin6058]

Two things that I've noticed: 1) 15:39 It would be more fair to compare HLA SMG to the Pulse Rifle from HL2, since they use same ammunition and very similar in operation. 2) 16:20 In HLA, if your health is full, you will not hear the healing sound. It seems like you have done just that, because there was no beeping. Otherwise, great video, the production on it is real sweet. Glad you've benn recommended to me by KZbin!

[@Nick930]

I chose specifically to use SMG because they are both SMGs. Thr pulse rifle is similar but not the same type of weapon

[@eugenenalpin6058]

@@Nick930 I'd argue with that, but I see your point. But how about health station? I don't think reuploading the video is a viable solution though.

[@eugenenalpin6058]

@@Nick930 Actually, I think it's fine. The video overall makes for a great comparison, and maybe I'm just nitpicking. Despite those misses, the video delivers what the title promises, so thanks for that!

[@chrysecreative5575]

I feel like you should've made a comparison for the sound design on the Strider. Going from whale-like sounds to techno-dubstep roars is definitely worth of a highlight reel.

[@jakethompson4092]

I personally prefer the sounds of half life 2 because they were so familiar and i was sad to see them depart in hl:a

[@Journey_to_who_knows]

Half life will always have the best sounds, hcrab chirping, healing pools, who ate all the doughnuts

[@deathrex007]

Change

[@-nope3030]

There are a lot of original HL1 sounds in Alyx, obviously been brought up to todays standards, specifically in and around the Xen fauna.

[@strikeveteran247]

The hev suit

[@SharkyMcSnarkface]

Journey awaits STAHP

[@Locurafia]

If Half Life it's the father of videogames, Half-Life: Alyx it's the god of vr

[@isaiahsimmons5776]

id games is the father of video games source: my dad works at microsoft

[@MrBohij]

“Thanks to Havok physics” No offense, but the source engine is a *heavily modified* version of havok. Referring to it as havok still kinda does injustice to valve’s absolutely bonkers dev team.

[@jaredgabriel9662]

NO OFFENSE, but if havok wasnt a thing there would be no hl2/1/ep 1/2, portal 1/2 /tf1/tf2, cs/source/1.6/go/etc..., and other gamrs

[@jaredgabriel9662]

Games

[@vedolre]

*sometimes but what's with the 'NO OFFENSE' reused at times*

[@jacobshirley3457]

Basically like calling the Titanfall games based in Source.

[@somec4553]

No offense but no one fucking asked

[@kirkhammer9612]

i really liked the new combine sounds in the sound comparison part because they sound alot more well humans that actually get scared

[@ausilliam]

i cant describe how wonderfully well that thumbnail looks WHY DOES IT LOOK SO GOOD

[@mike7DILFLUVR]

0:47 did you just try- nevermind...

[@Nick930]

I knew it didn't deal damage - but it looks cool in footage so I did it that way on purpose. I do a lot of "casual" things in my footage on purpose as it looks more interesting for videos. Had quite a few ppl complain that I was hip firing in my Call of Duty documentary... imagine a 2 hour documentary of just someone ADSing the entire time

[@mike7DILFLUVR]

@@Nick930 ohh ok got it lol!

[@SegaMario]

Anyone think this game was an experiment for Valve to get back into the spirit of making games again and finally deliver on the decade-old meme?

[@bobREALOG]

And still no 3 in the name

[@SegaMario]

@@bobREALOG This is a prequel, so obviously it wouldn't be called 3.

[@GronGrinder]

I feel Half-Life 3 should be in VR too. I don't even own VR myself and I believe Half-Life is just perfect as a VR only game.

[@Flash0728]

I disagree, if the game is going to be following Gordon Freeman, his style of fighting is much more FPS than the sneaking around that Alyx does. I don't think VR would necessarily be the best for it but then again I'm no expert, hopefully they could pull it off. But I feel that it should maybe be playable both ways. VR = Full Immersion

[@Igbon5]

@@Flash0728 It might be hard to go back after this, although I know what you mean.

[@becka2465]

Thank you for an amazing review! You’re the best reviewer out there hands down!!

[@KevHCloud]

fluid effects have now been added to bottles and containers showing it off a bit, nifty stuff, good vid.

[@Fizzlepop72]

I swear to god, someone is going to mod those new models into Half Life 2. It's gonna happen. It's only a matter of time.

[@jaredgabriel9662]

No but actually yes meme No but uhh they arent really doing it in hl2 someone found out that hl:a had some non vr files sooo YAA

[@rivsworld8698]

yep they will!!!

[@ehodovic]

Valve coming out here setting standards once again

[@Gentleman30]

Now that half-life : alyx is out i hope valve updates other games.

[@therealshimo]

Each game has its own team, so lack of updates isn't HLA's fault

[@clearlyanartistanimations6915]

The combines are as adorable as they always were in half life 2 games

[@Peekofwar]

I prefer locomotion. I find teleporting too jarring and unimmersive. Plus, in combat, locomotion allows me to move where I want to quicker without having to point to where I want to move to. I'm also someone who could probably handle jumping through portals in VR if Valve ever made a VR portal game. I will literally noclip at full-speed in Garry's Mod in VR while standing and not care. Not everyone is like this.