Automa Aims for Half-Life: Alyx-Style Vibes in a Standalone Quest
The Brookhaven Experiment’s creators are crafting Automa to evoke the feel of Half-Life: Alyx, but as a self-contained VR experience. A trailer shown during the UploadVR Showcase gives a glimpse of the standalone gameplay I tested on Quest 3.
You can wishlist Automa now (https://www.phosphorgames.com/automa?ref=uploadvr.com). Below is a short gameplay excerpt from the opening area of the demo. In an early testing release, the Quest 3 ran at a solid frame rate, and the initial impression hits many of the high notes: striking visuals, layered sound design, solid interactive elements, and a strong sense of place that rivals the opening scene of Half-Life: Alyx.
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Key interactive features in Automa include gravity gloves that let you pull objects toward you, plus drawers, cabinets, and doors that open during play. A small detail Irove-into was discovering a cat litter box in the starting room; I wondered if an animal would appear, and I was pleasantly surprised when a cat did appear and I even fed it. I also spotted a monkey perched on a ledge outside and tossed an object to observe its reaction. In total, I interacted with four animals during this brief session, alongside numerous environmental interactions. Phosphor acknowledges the desire for deeper interactions as they continue developing the world.
Phosphor—the studio behind The Brookhaven Experiment (https://www.uploadvr.com/the-brookhaven-experiment-quest-zombie/), which recently returned to standalone VR after pioneering zombie wave shooting on the HTC Vive—aims to produce a full “story-driven action-adventure” with Automa. They’re inviting players to wishlist the game on PlayStation VR2, Quest 2 and Quest 3, and Steam. They’re also seeking community input on Discord (https://discord.gg/yADfWhu5Y7?ref=uploadvr.com) to shape the project’s next steps.
Official description from Phosphor:
AUTOMA is a story-driven action-adventure built exclusively for VR, where exploration and immersion drive a world that feels alive and reactive. Players enter an atmospheric, highly detailed setting filled with beauty, mystery, and danger—an environment that invites curiosity at every turn.
Rooted in immersive VR design, AUTOMA emphasizes believable physics and intuitive interactions that give rise to emergent, player-driven moments—so every encounter feels organic and personal.
Set in a near-future world where fears of AI misalignment are beginning to come true, autonomous forces have seized control of a Southeast Asian city. You’ve made a desperate deal to protect your family—but at what cost, and what will they ask of you next?
Automa’s rich introductory environment evokes a bustling city outside, akin to City 17’s worn apartment blocks, with people visible on the street below beyond a fluttering curtain and partially drawn shutters. Even small touches—like shaking a bottle and watching its liquid bubble—add subtle, playful immersion, though it doesn’t yet reach the dynamism of Alyx.
Release timeline and platforms:
- Targeted for 2026 launch, with a PlayStation VR2 release planned as well.
- Steam Frame is expected to join other new standalone headsets in 2026–2027, while Valve remains noncommittal about delivering a performant Half-Life: Alyx on headsets without streaming.
Automa could satisfy an audience eager for a narrative-driven VR experience that blends exploration, interactivity, and a strong sense of place. More gameplay details from Phosphor are anticipated as development progresses, and curiosity remains high about what else Automa has in store.
