The initial feeling is to make comparison to Superhot but that would not do the game justice. While it contains a similar thrill in the coolness factor the rapid speed while zipping through levels adds a new adrenaline element. There's an addictive 'one more go' quality on wanting to repeat levels to get the best score and shave off the few seconds you can in places. Each level has its own theme and scenario to play out, not just visually but also in how the gameplay is set up. I've played this previously on another headset and I'm very excited to sink more hours into this now it's on Steam, and is a must-buy for VR owners in general!

It's a social experiment to find out how many people can look in the same direction without actually hitting any enemies.
The rank up system is atrociously out of date straight from the late 2000s.
Nothing is brilliantly designed here, it's a bit of chaotic fun for a casual pick up and play mentality at a low price point.

Alyx is easily one of the most standout games in the history of the industry due to the sheer leap from anything that's come before. It's a perfect sell on how much of a different experience VR can be thanks to Valve's incredible attention to detail and unrivalled scenario design that kept me engaged and impressed from start to finish. Unsurprising minor technical hiccups and a handful of level design moments that don't feel quite in line with VR rear their head from time to time but it doesn't hinder the outstanding scale, ambition, and execution of the title at all. Now all that's left is to pray that Valve doesn't leave the IP on ice again for over a decade.

Seriously, Valve, pls. I need more Half Life now after this.

SIGNALIS wears its inspirations very clearly on its sleeve in all regards but it has its own approach and vision to make it stand out on its own instead of just in the shadow of what came before it. While the core gameplay doesn't reinvent the wheel, instead choosing to stick to crafting a solidly designed traditional atmospheric survival horror experience of conserving resources and solving puzzles, that doesn't stop it from having its own little sprinkles of originality in there from time to time. Clocking in at a tidy 7 hours with a clear focus and no bloated design SIGNALIS is one of the easiest recommendations in a while.