Half-Life: Alyx vs Resident Evil Village

• Perspective: First-Person (VR)
• Multiplayer: None (Single-Player Only, with extensive mod support via Steam Workshop)
• Setting: City 17 & surrounding areas, Earth (Between Half-Life 1 & Half-Life 2)
• Platforms: PC (Windows - SteamVR Compatible)
• Unique Feature: Flagship VR Title, Gravity Gloves Interaction, Unprecedented VR Immersion & Detail, Continuation of Half-Life Story, Source 2 Modding Tools.

• Perspective: First-Person (Third-Person Mode available in Winters' Expansion)
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Campaign. The Mercenaries mode is single-player. (RE:Verse was a separate bundled multiplayer game).
• Setting: Isolated Eastern European Village & Surrounding Areas (Castle, Factory, etc.)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (Cloud Version), macOS, iOS
• Unique Feature: Four Distinct Lord Domains with Unique Horror Themes, Memorable Antagonists (Lady Dimitrescu), Inventory Management & Crafting, First-Person Immersive Horror, Winters' Expansion (Shadows of Rose, Third-Person Mode).

• Russell (Via Radio Comms): While not physically present, Russell is Alyx's constant companion via radio communication. He provides mission objectives, guidance, technical support, lore exposition, and humorous commentary throughout the game. He is crucial for narrative progression and player guidance.
  Human
• None (Physical AI Combat Companions): Alyx undertakes her physical journey through City 17 alone. She does not have any AI-controlled combat companions that follow her or fight alongside her in the traditional sense, emphasizing her vulnerability and resourcefulness in the VR environment.

• None (Ethan Winters - Gameplay): For the vast majority of his playable sections, Ethan Winters fights alone. He does not have persistent AI companions that follow him or can be commanded in combat during his main story segments.
• Hound Wolf Squad Members (Chris Redfield's Section - Temporary AI): During Chris Redfield's playable segment, he is accompanied by members of his Hound Wolf Squad (e.g., Canine, Lobo, Night Howl, Umber Eyes). They are AI-controlled and provide significant combat support with military-grade weaponry and tactics during these specific missions.
  Human (BSAA Elite Soldiers)
• Mia Winters & Rosemary Winters (Narrative Context): While central to Ethan's motivations, Mia and Rosemary do not act as gameplay companions for Ethan. Rosemary is an infant, and Mia's active role is primarily at the beginning and end of the game.
  Human
• Michael (Shadows of Rose DLC - Temporary Guide/Entity): In the 'Shadows of Rose' DLC, Rose is guided by a mysterious entity calling itself 'Michael,' which communicates through text appearing on surfaces. It provides hints and narrative direction but is not a physical companion.
  Mysterious Entity (Megamycete Construct)

• Resin: Small, orange, cylindrical pieces of Combine material found scattered throughout all levels, often in crates, shelves, or hidden nooks. Collected and used at Combine Fabricator stations to upgrade Alyx's three main weapons (Pistol, Shotgun, SMG).
• Ammo (Pistol Clips, Shotgun Shells, SMG Power Cells): Found in Combine supply crates, on defeated enemies, or in the environment. Essential for combat. Alyx can store a limited amount on her person and in her backpack.
• Health Syringes: Medical items that restore Alyx's health. Found in medical kits, bathrooms, or sometimes dropped by Combine medics. Stored in wrist slots for quick access.
• Combine Grenades: Standard fragmentation grenades used by the Combine. Can be found in the environment or taken from defeated enemies. Stored in wrist slots.
• Grub Nests / Antlion Grubs (Healing Items - Minor): In Xen-infested areas, Alyx can find Antlion grubs in nests. Crushing them provides a small amount of healing. A nod to Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
• Vodka Bottles (For Jeff sequence): Specific to Chapter 7: Jeff. Vodka bottles are used as throwable distractions to lure the sound-sensitive creature Jeff away from Alyx's path.
• Battery Cells (For Multi-Tool Puzzles): Small cylindrical batteries that must be found and inserted into specific slots to power up doors, lifts, or other machinery as part of environmental puzzles solved with the Multi-Tool.
• Hidden Gnome Chompski (Easter Egg): A single, well-hidden garden gnome. Finding it and carrying it to a specific later point in the game unlocks an achievement, referencing a long-running Valve gag.

• Files (Notes, Diaries, Documents, Reports): Numerous readable documents found throughout all areas. They provide rich backstory on the village's history, the Four Lords, Mother Miranda's experiments, the BSAA's involvement, Ethan and Mia's past, and general lore about the Resident Evil universe. Essential for understanding the full narrative.
• Goats of Warding: 20 small, wooden goat effigies hidden in various locations across the village and its surrounding areas. They make a distinct clicking sound when nearby. Destroying all of them unlocks an achievement/trophy and Challenge Points for the Extra Content Shop.
• Treasures (Crystal Fragments, Wooden Animals, Combineable Treasures, etc.): Valuable items that can be found hidden in the environment, dropped by certain enemies, or in locked areas. These can be sold to The Duke for Lei (in-game currency). Some treasures consist of multiple parts that can be combined to create a more valuable item (e.g., Dimitrescu's Necklace, Moreau's Hidden Weapon).
• Weapon Parts (Attachments): Found in specific locations, often in locked cases or hidden areas, or purchased from The Duke. These attachments (e.g., scopes, stocks, extended magazines, compensators) can be equipped to weapons at The Duke's Emporium to improve their stats or functionality.
• Cooked Meals Ingredients (Fish, Poultry, Meat - Quality Tiers): Animals like fish, chickens, pigs, and goats can be hunted in the village and surrounding areas. They drop different qualities of meat. These ingredients are given to The Duke to cook special meals that provide permanent upgrades to Ethan's maximum health, blocking defense, or movement speed.
• Outhouse Puzzles (Hidden Items): Many outhouses in the village have a small item hidden inside, often requiring a lockpick or a specific angle to see and shoot down. These usually contain ammo or minor resources.
• Labyrinth Puzzles & Balls: Each of the Four Lords' main areas (and the village) contains a Labyrinth Puzzle model. Ethan must find a corresponding metal ball (e.g., Crimson Skull, Black Goat) and guide it through the miniature labyrinth to obtain a valuable Crystal Treasure.

• Alien Occupation & Resistance
• Father-Daughter Relationship
• Hope in Oppression
• Scientific Discovery & Peril
• Body Horror (Headcrabs
• Xen Creatures)
• Totalitarian Control (The Combine)
• VR Immersion
• Prequel Story
• Environmental Storytelling

• Survival Horror
• Gothic Horror
• Folk Horror
• Body Horror
• Family & Fatherhood
• Desperation
• Loss & Trauma
• Cults & Fanaticism
• Bio-Organic Weapons
• Mystery & Conspiracy
• The Nature of Evil

• Pistol (USP Match / Alyx's Pistol): Handgun (Semi-Automatic)
  Alyx's starting weapon. A reliable semi-automatic pistol. Can be upgraded with a reflex sight, laser sight, extended magazine, and a burst fire module.
• Shotgun (Modified Winchester 1887 / 'Old Reliable'): Shotgun (Pump-Action/Lever-Action Hybrid)
  A powerful close-quarters weapon. Can be upgraded with a laser sight, double shot capability (fires two shells at once), and a grenade launcher attachment (fires explosive grenades).
• SMG (Combine Pulse Submachine Gun): Submachine Gun (Automatic)
  A rapid-firing Combine weapon. Can be upgraded with an extended magazine, laser sight, and reflex sight. Effective against groups or for sustained fire.
• Gravity Gloves ('Russells'): Utility Tool / Pseudo-Weapon
  Not a traditional weapon, but Alyx's primary tool for interacting with the environment. Allows her to target and flick distant objects (ammo, Resin, health syringes, physics objects) into her hands. Can be used offensively by throwing explosive objects or heavy items at enemies.
• Grenades (Combine Grenades): Throwable Explosive
  Standard fragmentation grenades found in the environment or dropped by Combine soldiers. Can be stored in wrist slots and thrown physically by the player.
• Multi-Tool: Utility Tool (Hacking/Puzzle Solving)
  A handheld device used to hack Combine interfaces, disable force fields, solve electrical circuit puzzles by redirecting power, and scan objects for information.
• Xen Grenades / Snarks (Implied/Contextual): Organic Throwable (From Xen Creatures)
  Players can often find and throw explosive Xen flora (like 'Boom Blobs') or potentially use Snark-like creatures found in specific containers, though these are environmental interactions rather than equippable weapons.

• Handguns (LEMI, M1911, V61 Custom, S.T.A.K.E. Magnum, etc.): Pistol / Magnum
  Standard sidearms for general combat. Range from basic pistols to powerful magnums. Upgradable for damage, fire rate, capacity, etc. Some have unique properties or attachments.
• Shotguns (M1897, W870 TAC, SYG-12): Shotgun (Pump-Action, Semi-Auto)
  Effective at close range, dealing high damage to unarmored or multiple enemies. Includes pump-action, tactical, and semi-automatic variants. Upgradable.
• Rifles (FZ F2 Rifle, Dragoon - Chris Redfield Section): Sniper Rifle / Assault Rifle
  The FZ F2 is a bolt-action sniper rifle for long-range precision. During Chris Redfield's section, assault rifles like the Dragoon are used. Upgradable with scopes, stocks, etc.
• Grenade Launcher (GM 79): Explosive / Utility Launcher
  Fires explosive rounds for area damage or flashbang rounds to stun enemies. Limited ammunition.
• Knife: Melee (Utility/Last Resort)
  Ethan's standard melee weapon. Used for breaking crates, finishing downed enemies, or as a last resort in combat. Not very effective against most enemies on its own.
• Mines & Pipe Bombs: Craftable Explosives
  Craftable throwable or deployable explosives. Pipe bombs are basic grenades, while mines can be set as traps.
• Special/Story Weapons (e.g., specific weapons during boss fights or unique sections): Contextual / Unique
  Certain sections or boss encounters may provide Ethan (or other playable characters like Chris) with unique or powerful weapons temporarily.
• Chris Redfield's Arsenal (Target Locator, WCX Assault Rifle, Karambit Knife - Playable Section): Military Grade Weaponry
  During Chris's playable segment, he has access to more advanced military weaponry, including an assault rifle with various attachments and a target locator for airstrikes.
• Rose Winters' Powers (Shadows of Rose DLC - Not traditional weapons): Bio-Organic Abilities
  In the 'Shadows of Rose' DLC, Rose uses powers derived from the Mold to destroy Mold Cores, stun enemies, and clear obstacles, rather than conventional firearms for most of the DLC.

• No Equipable Armor System: Alyx Vance does not have an equipable armor system where players can find or upgrade different pieces of armor for stat boosts. Her survivability is based on her base health, which can be restored using Health Syringes found in the environment or from Health Stations. Player skill in combat, using cover effectively, and managing resources are key to survival.
• Health Syringes & Health Stations: Health Syringes are consumable items stored in Alyx's wrist slots that provide instant healing. Wall-mounted Health Stations can also be found, allowing Alyx to restore her health by interacting with them (often requiring a puzzle or power to activate).

• No Equipable Armor System (Ethan Winters): Ethan Winters does not have an equipable armor system where players can find or upgrade different pieces of armor for direct stat boosts. His survivability is based on his base health (which can be permanently increased by eating specific cooked meals from The Duke's Kitchen), player skill in combat (blocking, dodging), and the use of healing items (First Aid Meds). Clothing changes are story-dictated and purely cosmetic.
• Defensive Upgrades (The Duke's Kitchen): By providing The Duke with specific quantities of Fish, Poultry, and Meat obtained from hunting animals in the village, Ethan can have meals cooked that provide permanent upgrades to his maximum health, blocking defense, or movement speed. This is the primary way to increase his resilience.
• Blocking Mechanic: Ethan can block incoming attacks with his arms or equipped weapon, significantly reducing damage taken. A well-timed block can sometimes stagger enemies. This is a core defensive skill.

• Alyx Vance's Standard Attire: Alyx wears a consistent outfit throughout the game, consisting of a practical jacket (often with a Black Mesa logo reference), shirt, pants, and her iconic fingerless gloves which house her health/ammo display and are part of the Gravity Glove system. There are no player-controlled clothing customization options for Alyx; her appearance is fixed for the narrative.
• Gravity Gloves ('Russells'): These are a key piece of Alyx's gear, not clothing in the traditional sense, but visually distinct. They are black and yellow and integral to her ability to interact with the VR world. They are not customizable in appearance.

• Ethan Winters' Attire: Ethan wears a consistent outfit throughout the main game (winter jacket, pants, etc.), which becomes progressively more tattered and bloodied as he endures hardships. There are no direct clothing customization options for Ethan in the story mode beyond these contextual changes. The Third-Person Mode added in the Winters' Expansion shows his full character model.
• Chris Redfield's Attire: During his playable segment, Chris wears his signature Hound Wolf Squad tactical gear. This is fixed for his section.
• Rose Winters' Attire (Shadows of Rose DLC): In the 'Shadows of Rose' DLC, teenage Rose wears a distinct outfit. Her appearance is fixed for her storyline.
• Character Costumes (The Mercenaries Additional Orders / Unlockables): The Mercenaries mode and potentially other unlockable content (like through completing challenges or as part of Deluxe/Gold editions) may offer alternate cosmetic costumes for playable characters in those specific modes (e.g., different outfits for Chris, Lady Dimitrescu, Heisenberg in Mercenaries).

• None (Player Controlled for General Traversal)
  Alyx Vance traverses all environments on foot using various VR locomotion options (Teleport, Shift, Continuous). There are no player-controlled vehicles like cars, bikes, or aircraft for general navigation in the game.
• Combine Razor Train (Contextual / Environmental): Mass Transit / Enemy Transport
  The iconic Combine Razor Trains are present in City 17's environment and feature in some scripted sequences or as background elements, but Alyx does not pilot or directly control them.
• Lifts & Elevators (Environmental): Mechanical Traversal
  Various lifts and elevators are found within levels, providing vertical traversal. Alyx interacts with them to move between floors or different sections of a facility.

• Tractor (Briefly, Cutscene/Scripted): Agricultural Land Vehicle
  Ethan briefly uses a tractor during an escape sequence early in the game, but it is a scripted event rather than a freely controllable vehicle.
• Boat (Moreau's Reservoir): Small Motorboat / Watercraft
  Used by Ethan to navigate the flooded areas of Moreau's Reservoir while being pursued by the transformed Salvatore Moreau. Control is primarily for navigation and evasion during this specific segment.
• Makeshift Tank / Vehicle (Heisenberg's Factory - Boss Fight): Improvised Combat Vehicle
  During the boss fight against Karl Heisenberg, Ethan pilots a makeshift, heavily armed vehicle created by Chris Redfield to counter Heisenberg's metallic form. Control is specific to this boss encounter.
• Traversal on Foot (Walking, Running, Sprinting, Crouching): Player Locomotion
  Primary mode of movement. Ethan can walk, run (limited by stamina that isn't explicitly shown but implied by breathlessness), sprint for short bursts, and crouch for stealth or navigating low passages.

• Alyx Vance: Protagonist / Resistance Fighter
  The main playable character. A resourceful and skilled member of the human resistance against the Combine. Daughter of Dr. Eli Vance. She is determined, witty, and possesses a strong moral compass. The game explores her capabilities and resolve before she meets Gordon Freeman.
• Eli Vance: Supporting Character / Resistance Leader / Scientist
  Alyx's father, a brilliant scientist formerly of Black Mesa and a key leader in the resistance. His capture by the Combine at the start of the game is the catalyst for Alyx's mission.
• Russell: Ally / Resistance Technician & Inventor
  A quirky and humorous resistance member who communicates with Alyx via radio throughout her journey. He provides technical support, guidance, and invents crucial gear for Alyx, including the Gravity Gloves (which he calls 'Russells').
• Combine Overwatch (Various Voices/Units): Primary Antagonistic Force
  The military arm of the interdimensional Combine empire occupying Earth. They are cold, calculating, and technologically superior. Communicate via standardized radio chatter. Alyx confronts various soldier types and their technology.
• Vortigaunts: Allies / Enslaved Alien Species
  An alien species from Xen, formerly enslaved by the Nihilanth and now also oppressed by the Combine. Some Vortigaunts aid the resistance and Alyx, possessing unique energy-based abilities and cryptic wisdom.
• G-Man (Brief Appearance/Reference): Enigmatic Interdimensional Figure
  The mysterious, pan-dimensional 'bureaucrat' who has influenced events throughout the Half-Life series. His presence is felt, and he makes a pivotal appearance that recontextualizes past and future events.
• Dr. Judith Mossman (Mentioned/Implied): Scientist / Double Agent
  While not directly appearing in person for most of the game, her actions and involvement with Eli Vance and the Combine are referenced, linking to the broader Half-Life narrative.
• Headcrabs, Zombies, Barnacles, etc. (Xen Creatures): Antagonistic Fauna/Flora
  Various hostile lifeforms originating from the borderworld Xen, now infesting parts of City 17 due to Combine activity or portals.

• Ethan Winters: Protagonist
  The returning protagonist from Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. A civilian desperately searching for his kidnapped infant daughter, Rosemary, which leads him to a mysterious and hostile village in Eastern Europe. He endures immense physical and psychological trauma throughout his ordeal.
• Mia Winters: Supporting Character / Ethan's Wife
  Ethan's wife and Rosemary's mother. Her apparent death at the beginning of the game sets Ethan on his quest. Her past connections to The Connections and bioweapons are relevant.
• Rosemary 'Rose' Winters: Key Character / Ethan's Daughter / Playable in 'Shadows of Rose' DLC
  Ethan and Mia's infant daughter, who possesses unique abilities due to her parents' exposure to the Mold. She is kidnapped by Chris Redfield, and her rescue is Ethan's primary motivation. Playable as a teenager in the 'Shadows of Rose' DLC.
• Chris Redfield: Supporting Character / Antagonist Figure (Initially) / BSAA Operative
  A recurring hero from the Resident Evil series. He appears to act antagonistically at the start of Village, but his true motives and mission are gradually revealed. Leads the Hound Wolf Squad. Playable in a short segment of the main game and as a character in The Mercenaries.
• The Duke: Ally / Merchant
  An enigmatic and surprisingly jovial, obese merchant who appears in various locations throughout the village. He sells weapons, ammunition, crafting recipes, weapon upgrades, and cooks meals for Ethan that provide permanent stat boosts. Offers cryptic advice and assistance.
• Mother Miranda: Main Antagonist / Village Cult Leader
  The supreme leader of the village and the Four Lords. A powerful bioweapon researcher who seeks to use Rosemary to resurrect her own deceased daughter, Eva. She is the source of the Mold and the mutations in the region.
• Lady Alcina Dimitrescu: Antagonist / One of the Four Lords
  The towering, aristocratic mistress of Castle Dimitrescu. A vampiric figure with immense strength and retractable claws, she rules her domain with her three daughters. Became a viral sensation due to her height and design.
• Karl Heisenberg: Antagonist / One of the Four Lords / Potential Rebel
  A charismatic and rebellious lord with the power to manipulate metal (ferrokinesis). He operates a factory producing cybernetic soldiers (Soldats). He has his own agenda and offers Ethan a chance to join him against Miranda.
• Donna Beneviento & Angie: Antagonist / One of the Four Lords
  A reclusive doll maker who communicates through her sentient puppet, Angie. Her domain, House Beneviento, focuses on psychological horror, hallucinations, and puzzles rather than direct combat.
• Salvatore Moreau: Antagonist / One of the Four Lords
  A grotesque, fish-like mutant lord with low self-esteem, desperate for Miranda's approval. He controls a reservoir and can transform into a colossal aquatic monster.
• Elena & Leonardo Lupu: Supporting Characters / Villagers
  Survivors Ethan encounters in the village. Elena tries to help Ethan but faces tragic circumstances with her father, Leonardo.
• The Hag (Old Crone): Supporting Character / Narrator Figure
  An elderly, mysterious villager who appears at various points, offering cryptic warnings, lore, and seemingly observing Ethan's journey.

• Main Story Chapters (Approximately 11 Chapters)
  A linear series of chapters that progress the narrative of Alyx Vance's mission to rescue her father, Eli Vance, from the Combine. This involves navigating various sectors of City 17, infiltrating Combine facilities, confronting Xen creatures, solving environmental puzzles using VR interactions and the Multi-Tool, and ultimately reaching a massive Combine Vault. Each chapter presents unique environments, challenges, and story developments.
• Environmental Puzzle Solving
  Throughout the levels, Alyx must solve various environmental puzzles to progress. These often involve using the Gravity Gloves to manipulate objects, finding and placing battery cells, rewiring circuits with the Multi-Tool (involving 3D holographic puzzles), disabling Combine security systems, or navigating hazardous terrain.
• Combat Encounters (Combine & Xen)
  Engage in intense first-person combat against Combine soldiers (various types with different weapons and tactics) and hostile Xen creatures (Headcrabs, Zombies, Barnacles, etc.). Combat emphasizes physically aiming, reloading weapons, using cover, and utilizing throwable items like grenades or environmental explosives.
• Stealth Sequences & Evasion
  Certain sections require or encourage stealthy approaches to bypass heavily armed Combine patrols, avoid waking dormant enemies, or navigate areas with unkillable threats like Jeff. This involves using cover, distractions, and careful movement.
• Resource Scavenging & Management
  Continuously search the environment for vital resources: Resin (for weapon upgrades), ammunition for Alyx's three firearms, health syringes, Combine grenades, and other useful items. Efficiently managing these limited resources is key to survival.
• Weapon Upgrading (At Combine Fabricators)
  Locate Combine fabricator stations and spend collected Resin to unlock and apply various upgrades to Alyx's pistol, shotgun, and SMG, enhancing their capabilities (e.g., adding sights, extended magazines, alternate fire modes like a grenade launcher).

• Main Story Campaign (Ethan's Search for Rose)
  A series of interconnected chapters following Ethan Winters' desperate journey through the titular village and the domains of the Four Lords (Castle Dimitrescu, House Beneviento, Moreau's Reservoir, Heisenberg's Factory) to rescue his kidnapped daughter, Rosemary, and confront Mother Miranda. Involves exploration, puzzle-solving, intense combat encounters, and boss battles.
• Chris Redfield's Section
  A segment of the main campaign where players take control of Chris Redfield as he leads his Hound Wolf Squad on a mission related to Mother Miranda and the Megamycete, showcasing more action-oriented gameplay with military weaponry.
• Puzzle Solving (Key Items, Environmental Puzzles)
  Throughout the game, Ethan must find key items (e.g., specific keys, crests, tools like the Well Wheel or Crank) and solve environmental puzzles to progress, unlock new areas, or access valuable loot. This includes tasks like finding mask fragments in Castle Dimitrescu or navigating the non-combat horror sequences in House Beneviento.
• Boss Battles (Four Lords, Miranda, Mini-Bosses)
  Confront and defeat the unique and often multi-phase bosses that guard the end of each major area or serve as significant story encounters. This includes fighting each of the Four Lords in their transformed states and ultimately Mother Miranda.
• Optional Exploration & Treasure Hunting
  Explore optional paths, hidden rooms, and side areas within the main locations to find valuable treasures (which can be sold to The Duke), weapon parts, crafting resources, files, and Goats of Warding. Some treasures require solving small puzzles or finding combineable parts.
• The Duke's Kitchen (Hunting & Upgrades)
  Hunt animals (fish, poultry, meat) found in the village and surrounding areas. Bring the ingredients to The Duke, who can cook special meals that provide permanent upgrades to Ethan's maximum health, blocking defense, or movement speed.
• Shadows of Rose Story Campaign (DLC)
  A new narrative campaign played as a teenage Rosemary Winters. She enters the Megamycete's consciousness to find a way to rid herself of her powers, facing surreal environments, new enemies (Face Eaters, Molded), and exploring her connection to the Mold. Played entirely in third-person.
• The Mercenaries / The Mercenaries Additional Orders (Game Mode)
  An arcade-style score attack mode. Players choose a character (Ethan, Chris, Lady Dimitrescu, Heisenberg) and fight through waves of enemies across various stages within a time limit, aiming for high scores by chaining kills and utilizing character-specific abilities and weapons. Unlocks new stages and potentially in-game rewards.

The base game of Resident Evil Village is single-player only. 'The Mercenaries' is an arcade-style, single-player score attack mode. The multiplayer game 'Resident Evil RE:Verse' was intended to launch alongside Village as a free pack-in but was delayed and released later as a separate entity.

Available in Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition (Trauma Pack with 'Samurai Edge' weapon, Mr. Everywhere weapon charm, found footage filter, save room music, additional difficulty mode 'Village of Shadows'), Collector's Edition (Deluxe content + Chris Redfield statue, SteelBook, artbook, cloth map, Trauma Pack). A 'Gold Edition' was released later, bundling the base game with the 'Winters' Expansion' (Shadows of Rose DLC, Third-Person Mode for main campaign, The Mercenaries Additional Orders).

Valve released extensive modding tools (Source 2 SDK) for Half-Life: Alyx, leading to a vibrant community workshop scene with numerous custom maps, campaigns, and experiences created by users. No official story DLC or expansions have been released by Valve for Alyx.

The 'Winters' Expansion' was the major post-launch DLC. It includes: 'Shadows of Rose' (a new story chapter playing as a teenage Rose Winters with unique powers), Third-Person Mode for the main campaign, and 'The Mercenaries Additional Orders' (new characters like Chris, Heisenberg, Lady Dimitrescu, and stages for the arcade mode).

• Q: Is Half-Life: Alyx a VR-only game?
  A: Yes, Half-Life: Alyx was designed from the ground up exclusively for virtual reality and requires a compatible PC VR headset (like Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift/Quest with Link, Windows Mixed Reality) and motion controllers to play.
• Q: Where does Half-Life: Alyx fit into the Half-Life timeline?
  A: Half-Life: Alyx is a prequel set between the events of the original Half-Life and Half-Life 2. It takes place five years before Gordon Freeman's return in Half-Life 2.
• Q: Do I need to have played previous Half-Life games to understand Alyx?
  A: While Half-Life: Alyx tells a self-contained story focused on Alyx Vance, familiarity with the Half-Life universe, characters (like Eli Vance, G-Man), and the Combine will significantly enhance the appreciation of its narrative, lore, and the impact of its ending. However, it can still be enjoyed by newcomers.
• Q: What are the 'Russells' or Gravity Gloves?
  A: The Gravity Gloves, nicknamed 'Russells' by Alyx after their inventor, are a pair of gloves that allow her to target distant objects and flick her wrist to pull them towards her through the air. They are a core VR mechanic for interaction, looting, and puzzle-solving.
• Q: How long is Half-Life: Alyx?
  A: A typical playthrough of the main story campaign takes around 12-15 hours, though this can vary depending on exploration, puzzle difficulty, and player skill. The Steam Workshop offers many additional hours of community-created content.
• Q: Does Half-Life: Alyx have mod support?
  A: Yes, Valve released official modding tools (Source 2 SDK) for Half-Life: Alyx, which has led to a thriving modding community creating custom maps, new campaigns, gameplay modifications, and other experiences available through the Steam Workshop.

• Q: Is Resident Evil Village a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard?
  A: Yes, Resident Evil Village directly continues the story of Ethan Winters and his wife Mia, set a few years after the events of Resident Evil 7.
• Q: Do I need to play Resident Evil 7 before Village?
  A: It is highly recommended. Village heavily references characters, events, and themes from RE7. While there's a brief recap, playing RE7 first provides crucial context for Ethan's motivations and the overarching story.
• Q: Is Resident Evil Village in first-person or third-person?
  A: The main campaign of Resident Evil Village is played in first-person. However, the 'Winters' Expansion' DLC added an optional Third-Person Mode for the main story, allowing players to experience it from an over-the-shoulder perspective.
• Q: Who are the Four Lords?
  A: The Four Lords are a group of mutated individuals who rule different territories surrounding the village, all serving Mother Miranda. They are Lady Alcina Dimitrescu (vampiric mistress of a castle), Karl Heisenberg (engineer with magnetic powers and a factory), Donna Beneviento (reclusive doll maker controlling hallucinations), and Salvatore Moreau (grotesque fish-like creature controlling a reservoir).
• Q: What is The Mercenaries mode?
  A: The Mercenaries is an arcade-style, score-based bonus mode unlocked after completing the main story. Players choose a character and must defeat waves of enemies across various stages within a time limit, chaining combos and utilizing character-specific abilities to achieve high scores and unlock rewards. The 'Additional Orders' DLC added more characters and stages.
• Q: What is 'Shadows of Rose'?
  A: 'Shadows of Rose' is a story DLC included in the 'Winters' Expansion'. It is set 16 years after the main game and follows a teenage Rosemary Winters as she delves into the consciousness of the Megamycete to find a way to remove her unwanted powers. It is played in third-person.

Developed on the Source 2 Engine, Half-Life: Alyx sets a new benchmark for visual fidelity and detail in VR. It features incredibly realistic environments with high-resolution textures, advanced lighting and shadow effects, and detailed character/enemy models. The level of interactivity with objects in the environment is exceptional, designed to leverage VR capabilities. The game is renowned for its atmospheric and immersive world.

Powered by Capcom's RE Engine, Resident Evil Village boasts stunning visuals with highly detailed environments, lifelike character models (especially the Four Lords), and advanced lighting and shadow effects. The game features distinct visual styles for each lord's domain, from the gothic opulence of Castle Dimitrescu to the grotesque organic horror of Moreau's Reservoir. Ray tracing options (Global Illumination, Reflections) are available on PC and current-gen consoles, significantly enhancing visual fidelity.

Original score composed by Mike Morasky, featuring atmospheric electronic and orchestral pieces that build tension, enhance horror, and underscore dramatic moments. Sound design is crucial for VR immersion, with highly realistic spatial audio, distinct enemy vocalizations (Combine radio chatter, Headcrab screeches, Barnacle clicks), and impactful weapon sounds. Environmental audio plays a key role in detecting threats and navigating.

Original score composed by Shusaku Uchiyama, Nao Sato, and Marcin Przybyłowicz, featuring a blend of orchestral horror themes, tense ambient tracks, and folk-inspired melodies reflecting the Eastern European setting. Sound design is crucial for horror atmosfére, with distinct enemy vocalizations (Lycans' howls, Dimitrescu's pursuit), environmental creaks, and impactful weapon sounds. The game uses binaural audio for enhanced spatial awareness.

Designed for VR immersion. Health and ammo are displayed on Alyx's left glove. Weapon selection is often done by reaching over the shoulder or via a wrist-mounted menu. The Gravity Gloves provide intuitive object interaction. Inventory (syringes, grenades, Resin) is managed via wrist slots or a backpack accessible by reaching behind the shoulder. Minimal on-screen HUD elements to maximize immersion.

Features a first-person HUD displaying health (electrocardiogram style), ammo count, and equipped item. Inventory management is grid-based, similar to Resident Evil 4, accessible in real-time (though the game often pauses when accessing the full inventory screen). A map helps with navigation, marking key items, save points (typewriters), and locked doors. Crafting is done via a dedicated menu.

Offers a range of accessibility options, including customizable controls (PC), extensive subtitle and caption customization, options for aim assist, display adjustments for brightness and contrast, options to reduce camera wobble, and various audio settings. A third-person mode was added in the Winters' Expansion, which can also be an accessibility aid for some players.

• OFFICIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Half-Life: Alyx (VR Game). This information has been adapted to the provided JSON structure. Half-Life: Alyx is a VR-exclusive title with established requirements. The '1080p' and '1440p' tier keys from the template are used here to represent 'VR Minimum' and 'VR Recommended' specifications, respectively. The '2160p' tier has been populated with hardware for an 'Extreme VR / Max Supersampling' scenario, which is not an official Valve-defined tier but represents a very high-end target.
• Laptop Performance Note: For VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx, laptop models of listed desktop GPUs must have comparable performance. Sufficient TGP (Total Graphics Power) for the GPU, robust cooling, and correct port connections for the VR headset are critical for a good VR experience.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Adequate TGP is crucial for VR performance on laptops, ensuring the GPU can deliver its expected power.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Excellent cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and maintain stable frame rates, which is vital for VR comfort.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Sustained CPU performance is important for physics calculations, AI, and overall game logic in demanding VR scenarios.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can reduce latency and improve framerates by allowing the dedicated GPU to connect directly to the display (or VR headset via appropriate ports), which is highly beneficial for VR.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game engine (Source 2) features dynamic resolution scaling and allows for fixed render resolution overrides (per-eye) to manage performance for VR. SteamVR also provides global and per-application resolution settings.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: In-game graphics fidelity settings (Low, Medium, High, Ultra), the VR headset's native refresh rate (e.g., 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz), and the render resolution (per-eye) are the most significant factors affecting performance and visual quality. Maintaining a stable framerate matching the headset's refresh rate is crucial for a comfortable and immersive VR experience.
• Game Name: Half-Life: Alyx

• Official PC system requirements from Capcom. Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, areas in-game (especially with many enemies or detailed environments), and background applications. An SSD is recommended for optimal performance. Ray tracing features are demanding.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, high TGP (Total Graphics Power), and excellent cooling. **Resident Evil Village can be demanding, particularly with ray tracing enabled or at higher resolutions.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates, especially with RT.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for AI and physics.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports AMD FSR 1.0. Later versions of FSR or other upscalers like DLSS might be available via official patches or mods, especially with the Winters' Expansion.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Ray Tracing (Global Illumination, Reflections), Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, Volumetric Lighting, Ambient Occlusion, and Screen Space Reflections heavily impact performance. The game offers FidelityFX CAS for sharpening.
• Game Name: Resident Evil Village

• Upscaling Tech: The game engine (Source 2) features dynamic resolution scaling and allows for fixed render resolution overrides (per-eye) to manage performance for VR. SteamVR also provides global and per-application resolution settings.
• Key Settings Impact: In-game graphics fidelity settings (Low, Medium, High, Ultra), the VR headset's native refresh rate (e.g., 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz), and the render resolution (per-eye) are the most significant factors affecting performance and visual quality. Maintaining a stable framerate matching the headset's refresh rate is crucial for a comfortable and immersive VR experience.

• Upscaling Tech: Supports AMD FSR 1.0. Later versions of FSR or other upscalers like DLSS might be available via official patches or mods, especially with the Winters' Expansion.
• Key Settings Impact: Ray Tracing (Global Illumination, Reflections), Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, Volumetric Lighting, Ambient Occlusion, and Screen Space Reflections heavily impact performance. The game offers FidelityFX CAS for sharpening.

• G P U T G P: Adequate TGP is crucial for VR performance on laptops, ensuring the GPU can deliver its expected power.
• Cooling Thermals: Excellent cooling is essential to prevent thermal throttling and maintain stable frame rates, which is vital for VR comfort.
• C P U Power Limits: Sustained CPU performance is important for physics calculations, AI, and overall game logic in demanding VR scenarios.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus can reduce latency and improve framerates by allowing the dedicated GPU to connect directly to the display (or VR headset via appropriate ports), which is highly beneficial for VR.

• G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates, especially with RT.
• Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance.
• C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for AI and physics.
• R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.