If you are a gaming freak and always want to get your hands on every new game that is released, Half-life Alyx should be on your list.
Half-Life Alyx is set between the events of Half-Life and Half-life2.
It revolves around the story of two scientists, Alyx Vance and her father Eli Mount.
The father-daughter duo takes up the battle against the invaders of City 17 and vows to get freedom from the forced rulership.
There is no doubt that Half-life Alyx has all the qualities of a super-hit game.
Things get even better because of the VR.
Just in case you are new to the VR world or are not familiar with Half-Life Alyx, there is no need to worry.
We have compiled a list of tips and tricks that will have you ace the gaming experience.
What makes Half-Life Alyx a different play, is that it involves puzzles.
You have to be very observant and solve these puzzles by paying attention to the environment.
Things can get interesting since the game requires multitools to solve these puzzles, paired with sharp mindedness and on-point decision-making skills.
For players who are sensitive to motion sickness or have physical limitations, we have also some tips for them.
Before you start playing this bomb of a game, let us warn you.
This game is hard to put down.
How about we start talking about the juicy stuff?
These are some tips and tricks to make your gameplay fun and successful.
Locomotion and Breaks
VR can induce motion-sickness in its players.
However, this does not mean that it should keep you away from the many exciting VR experiences.
The key to finding your best movement setting is by experimenting with all the available settings.
The good thing about this game is that Valve, the company that developed this game, has ensured that all the movement styles are available for the players.
It means that you can choose to be instantly warped from one place to another or can have complete control over your movements.
Novice players can choose to play the game with the warping movements setting, while experienced players enjoy playing the game with full control movements.
During the gameplay, if you sense even a slight onset of motion sickness, take a break immediately.
Carrying on with the game thinking that the sick feeling may die down, will only make it worse.
The game is not going anywhere, and neither are you!
What is the Best Way to Play It?
The experience of playing Half-life Alyx on Index is unmatched.
This is because the Valve controllers offer next level finger tracking.
However, the game is compatible with other platforms, like HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Samsung Odyssey, and other Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
The good thing is that Half-Life Alyx supports multiple methods of play.
It means that you can enjoy the gameplay while standing or choose to sit and play, which is a good option for people suffering from physical limitations.
This game comes with a mind-blowing version. However, it would be very expensive for a monster system.
However, if you have a VR setup, you can still enjoy Half-Life Alyx.
The Guns are One-Handed
Unlike the typical VR games, Half-life Alyx does not just focus on the shooting rampage.
Instead, it is a story, combat, and physics.
The guns in the game are single-handed, which lets the player focus and control the game with the other hand.
This is very important to remember since it will help you to focus on the game and fight the numerous creatures with your free hand.
Move to Win and be Vigilant
The foremost thing a new VR player will notice is that you can move anywhere in the VR.
You can also see whatever you want.
It means that you can turn your head and look behind to beware of any approaching enemies or peek around the corners to see on the other side of the street.
Interestingly, to perform all these actions, you need to do them physically.
For example, to avoid an object thrown at you, you have to crouch physically.
Doesn’t this sound fun? It does not stop here.
If you want to remove a tin can that is obstructing your view, shove it off with your hand.
Similarly, to wade off an approaching enemy, use an office chair and squash it.
Maintain the Quiet, Until Necessary
As mentioned above, Half-Life Alyx requires vigilance and sharp decision-making skills.
While it may look like fun to shove off items obstructing your views or just over-turn things to see beneath them, this may alert your enemies.
This game is known for its headcrab enemy.
If you see an enemy passing by who is unaware of your presence or is busy dealing with another enemy of his, stay quiet and let him pass by without getting yourself noticed.
There are many spaces for you to hide from your enemies.
Hide and take your time to contemplate your next move, or to load your weapon and get prepared.
However, if you are face to face with a bunch of rivals, you can throw things, create havoc, and make as much noise as you want.
We love noise!
Pay Attention to Audio and Visual Cues
Do you remember that we told you about being vigilant and alert during the gameplay?
The game keeps on giving audio and visual cues to help you.
For example, the small head at the top of the gun displays the amount of ammo left.
Similarly, after you have loaded the gun, you have to press an additional button to come out of the safety mode.
In case you forget to do this, a glowing light will indicate this.
Keep looking for objects that glow.
They suggest that things in the game are not correct and you need to pay attention.
If you find yourself stuck in a puzzle in the game, think differently, and look for cues in the environment.
Some decorative scribblings or graffiti on the wall may have the solution to your puzzle.
Your friend Russell will be in contact with you over the phone.
Just wait, and he will find a way for you.
Follow the Circuits and Cables to Breeze through the Puzzles
Most of the puzzles in Half-life Alyx require multitool.
The ones that involve critical paths need to correct/rewire the circuits and reconnect them.
The complexity level of these circuits increases, as the game progresses.
You will have a tough time figuring out where these circuits lead.
If you lose track, just use the multitool to look for them inside a wall or somewhere similar.
Keep an eye out for the current flow, cables, and wires. These may help in unveiling some critical points of puzzle-solving.
The spatial puzzles are different, however.
It is a set of multitool puzzles that requires you to move from one node to another.
The red ones stop you from succeeding. Be persistent and keep your multitool disengaged.
In Half-Life Alyx, Blue = win. Focus on the blue.
Upgrade Your Weapons in a Timely Manner and Use Them Mindfully
During the gameplay, you will collect Resin, which is the game’s currency.
You can use this currency to upgrade or exchange your weapons.
Be mindful and swap your guns for laser sights as soon as possible.
Laser sights can be very beneficial during the gameplay since they reduce the difficulty of aiming in VR.
They indicate where the shot will land, which helps in correcting the aim and saves the ammo.
Whether it’s a shotgun, an SMG, or a pistol, a laser sight will give you an advantage.
Every weapon in this game has a specific use.
Although there is no set group of rules, we are guided by observation and experience.
For example, if you want to kill a group of enemies, use a shotgun.
For slow-moving enemies, a pistol would do. An SMG is best to ward off weak groups of zombies, soldiers, and drones.
The Barnacles!
What will you do when in the early stages of the game and you will be short of ammo and will face the ceiling dwelling barnacles?
Have some fun! Throw an object at them and distract them, while you exit.
Do not waste the precious ammo where you can use alternatives.
If you are lucky enough to come across an explosive can, throw it at the Barnacles.
It will be a pleasure to see them explode.
Who knows, they might drop some ammo before dying. You may get lucky enough to get your hands on some of it.
The Headcrab Zombies
It may sound like common sense to some. Nevertheless, it is always good to talk about the nitty-gritty.
The gameplay is full of headcrab zombies. They are zombies with a headcrab attached to their heads.
If you confront one, the trick is to kill the zombie in the head.
This will kill both the zombie and the headcrab.
If you hit the zombie in the body, the zombie will die, and the headcrab will come chasing after you.
It will require more ammo to kill the headcrab. Be smart and use less ammo to kill more.
Manually Save the Game Often
The pain of reaching a higher difficulty level in the game and getting killed is quite relatable!
Do you know what is worse? It is when you forget to save the game.
It means that you will have to restart from a lower level and reach your way up to that level again.
Phew! It calls for so much redundant hard work.
There are autosaves in the game. However, it is better to frequently save the game manually.
Environmental Protection
Remember? We told you to be alert and vigilant about your environment.
The game has some items, which are collected during the gameplay.
They can serve as excellent protective gear and armor.
You must do the guesswork since there are no instructions or indications regarding these items.
For example, you may see some hats and gas masks in the areas that are underground.
You can collect them on your way and wear them.
The hats and gas masks can protect you from the attacks of the barnacle and the headcrabs.
If You Want Resin, Find a Room!
The currency used in the game is called Resin.
You collect and use it in exchange for a weapon upgrade.
The game offers limited opportunities for weapon upgrades.
It is, therefore, recommended that you collect as much Resin as possible.
If you see a room, the chances are quite likely that it has Resin.
During the gameplay, it is common that every straight path ends up at an empty plot with ammo and Resin or you.
You can also find Resin in hard to imagine locations. If the gameplay becomes too obvious and simple, look around for some cues and hidden paths.
Beneath the boxes and underneath the desks are great surprises for those who want to explore.
Stock Up on Ammo
Ammo is your savior.
Keep looking for it and stock up on it.
While it is very unlikely that you get killed in Half-life Alyx due to lack of ammo, you can run short on it pretty fast.
You can find ammo lying around in the environment.
Look for it under the boxes, on the ground, and even on the dead bodies.
The storage boxes, drawers, filing cabinets, and wooden crates are some good places to look for hidden ammo.
Conclusion
Half-life Alyx is a keeper.
We assure you once you start playing it, there will be no turning back.
This game will raise your bar for other VR games.
It can sometimes get frustrating when you get stuck on a certain level of the game or feel lost.
These tips will help to improve your gaming experience.
