Half-Life: Alyx is out now, and critics are raving about its tense gameplay and excellent virtual reality controls. But AAA shooters — especially VR games — can’t just be one-note affairs. Players need some down time, and that’s likely why Valve has added an interactive musical instrument to the game. The playable piano even allows for five-fingered keystrokes if you have the right gear. You can watch a sample embedded below, and on Twitter.
The new VR-only title is a prequel to Half-Life 2 and tells the story of Alyx Vance’s journey to save her father, Eli, from the Combine in City 17. There’s lots of light gun-style gunplay, melee combat, and also some gravity-based shenanigans. And then there’s a piano.
Twitter user sadlando sat down for a respite to tap out “Ground Theme” from Super Mario Bros., and it sounds pretty good for being played from inside a head-mounted display. While not at all scripted in any way, the presence of a musical instrument calls to mind the inclusion of guitars in the otherwise dark and dreary Metro series. There’s also a famous Easter egg from BioShock Infinite where Booker DeWitt (Troy Baker) and Elizabeth (Courtnee Draper) take time out from their otherwise gruesome task for a haunting version of “Will the Circle be Unbroken.”
Half-life: Alyx is only available for Windows PC and requires a VR system to play.
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