Current Events > If I've never played HL2, should I play it before playing HL Alyx? (no spoilers)

(+) Yeah! (+)

For context I've only ever played Black Mesa (which I did enjoy a lot). I would definitely prefer to play Alyx first, since I'm itching to play a VR game worth its salt; I'm just curious if it's likely to be a better experience to play these two games in release date order, like maybe the plot of Alyx won't make sense without context of playing HL2 first...

Can anyone with experience with this game(s) chime in? Any thoughts appreciated.

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Just finished Alyx myself and the ending is a crime against gaming if they don't follow it up, and this is Valve. Definitely play HL2 and both episodes first or you will be lost on some things and not feel the impact you should on other things. It's definitely going to detract from the story experience if you don't.

Maybe play Boneworks in the meantime to satiate the desire to play a meatier VR game?

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I haven't played Alyx yet, but I'd strongly suggest you play in release order. Half-Life 2, Episodes 1 & 2 and then Alyx.

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themaster627 posted...

Maybe play Boneworks in the meantime to satiate the desire to play a meatier VR game?

Thanks for the info -- I have also heard of this one, will check it out, thanks.

GameGodOfAll posted...

I haven't played Alyx yet, but I'd strongly suggest you play in release order. Half-Life 2, Episodes 1 & 2 and then Alyx.

Yep makes sense. Fortunately I own all those from a discounted Valve bundle I got on Steam a while back.

Here we go -- Black Mesa ended up exceeding my expectations, I know HL2 is the one people always talk about so I'm excited!

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Just beware that Boneworks is pretty intense and only has free locomotion, so you need to be through any VR motion sickness you have, if any. Alyx was kind of a nice step inbetween in this way but if you don't have issues with that already or if you aren't prone to motion sickness you'll be fine.

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