Half Life - Alyx

I think this one deserves a thread on its own.

Just tried it for the first time today and I'm completely blown away. They've done an amazing job designing this for VR. It's obvious they put a lot of thought in the environments with so many details to keep the player focused on what's around him and not so much on the motion from one place to another.

After about 2 hours I haven't experienced any motion sickness but I am using one of the more conservative movement settings, the blink, a sort of teleport but it's not sudden, it just moves quickly, in a straight line, to the selected spot. Works very well. Free motion is available too.

I love the gravity gloves so much. Makes exploring the surroundings and picking up objects very engaged and fun. Basically they found the best way to avoid having to actually move to all the objects or crouching physically for every item on the floor. Only got to use the first pistol. Looks like a 1911 and it feels awesome. Aiming down the sights, shooting at zombies honestly feels so real. Ejecting and replacing magazines is also done in a very smart way, not too easy (not just a button press) but it's very intuitive.

For now I'm plying it on an older Vive set. The resolution and FOV feel fine, the graphics are the best I've seen in a VR game/demo so far. I haven't tried the Index so I can't compare but I would love to hear some opinions if someone tried both.

If I don't upgrade to the whole Index set, I may still get the new controllers. I feel they would improve the enjoyment of this game even further. The thumb pads on the classic controllers are not the greatest and not very responsive.

 

Yep, looks amazing so far.
Will grab it on sale

 

You forced me too check it out and here I thought t was just going to be a tech demo.....this looks amazing, MUST GET VR

 

Looks like fun, but I'm not interested in investing in VR just to play this and a handful of other things. It's a huge investment. At least with RTX that everyone and their mom likes to bash the actual video card plays every game.

To be clear I'm also glad they didn't release a non-VR version. The VR version undoubtedly would have been compromised to spend resources and design complexity on that. I hope everyone that invested in VR likes it.

 

I'm sure a non-VR version mod will be created at some point but yes, it's clearly designed with VR only in mind so a non VR version would be a simple (albeit very pretty) Half-Life game.

 

Yeah didn't take long to get something going..
https://wccftech.com/half-life-alyx-new-mod-no-vr/

 

headcrabs!

After a longer session I find myself looking around the apartment, waiting for one of these to jump out.

They moved faster than I expected.

My advice, please please don't play it non VR first.

It's so worth it to take in the design and atmosphere in VR for the first playthrough.

 

I'm not interested, maybe someday.

 

Has anyone ordered Index hardware from Valve recently? Their order estimation of "over 8 weeks" seems sort of random. Does it really take that long or even longer?

I really want to try the new controllers but if it takes that long I might as well get on the headset queue too.

 

Yep, glad to see my conclusion confirmed. The Index controllers seem awesome. I'm still enjoying it with the Vive controllers but once the new ones arrive, a new playthrough will be in order

 

Maybe the markeplace posting requirement drives up these nonsense threads. I'm not saying that limit is a bad thing, it just may contribute to lots of filler posts.

On topic: I plan to stretch this first playthrough to thoroughly enjoy it. I am fully aware that after I finish Alyx, there won't be anything to fill these shoes for a while. So far I'm playing about 1-2 hour sessions daily or every other day.

My current computer setup doesn't allow a lot of space so I'm playing seated and I'm basically sandwiched between a wall and the kitchen island. Not ideal. I've just reached the point where the game introduces grenades and while it's an awesome mechanic, I keep smacking myself. One time I wanted to sort of aim and throw straight and I smacked myself on the face (headset). Otherwise I mostly hit my hands on the walls... I need to rethink this.

 

Sad day.

Finished Alyx today. Obviously I won't spoil anything but honestly everyone should play this (in VR as intended). They've done an absolutely amazing job designing this game. I'm completely blown away how awesome it is. Everything, the story, level design, clever scenes around the game, the humor, the horror, those damned headcrabs, the physics, the graphics, the guns, the gunplay... the bar has been raised very high. I'm very curious to see other developers step up to the challenge. Also I can't wait for the next Half Life VR experience. I can only hope that Alyx put things in motion and it won't take too long.

VR clearly is the future for gaming, I have no doubt about this. Now, if I hop in any other "regular" game, no matter how pretty graphics it has, it's just not enough anymore. The sense of presence, of being there, is very well exploited in Alyx and it doesn't compare to any other experience out there.

As soon as the Indexes get here, I'm doing it all over again (sadly Steam still shows over 8 weeks shipping time, and I placed the order 2 weeks ago).



One tip: at the end do not exit before the credits finish

 

god I hope this isn't out it ends up, I don't want yet another expense for stuff I have to strap on I'll just dump the hobby. Not to mention finding room for the sensors or whatever they are called that have to go around the room.

I can't see this barrier becoming the norm, not enough people will be able to or want to participate at that level and the industry will plummet.

 

This game literally made me want to switch from console to PC... couldn't afford to get a high end VR setup like I wanted (Valve Index, obv...) since I went a bit overboard on a gaming laptop, so debating on getting either the Rift S or Quest and using link or virtual desktop (as a starter, until I can upgrade to Valve... only considering quest as it will then become the gf's when I do upgrade, since the Go wasn't "good enough" for her, lol). I've already bought the game on Steam, and I don't even have the headset yet!

 

If you buy the Index on steam, you'll get credit for having Alyx already. I know it's not a lot compared to how much the Index costs but it may help.

I'm waiting patiently for Valve to ship indexes... I placed an order for headset + controllers (I can use the base stations from my vive) on March 23rd but so far nothing moving yet, just a notice from valve that orders are getting delayed

If I do end up getting the Index, most likely I'll put the vive for sale and it'll be at a good price for sure for anyone.

 

After seeing this in action via youtube, I think its safe to say that vr in one shape or another is the future, look at microsofts ar glasses imagine playing vr with phorealistic graphics with say contact lenses that can display digital images.

 

so I WENT ahead and bought a oculus quest and bought half life alyx and it's currently installing i'll keep you guys up to date if the non refundable venture was worth it...give me 2 hours..

also yeah it came to 580 cad for the headset and 60 cad for the game....not cheap it better be as good as everyone says

 

Fingers crossed it works out for you. Do post back with your impressions.

 

i have the min spec gtx 1060 it just finished downloading now im downloading steam vr

 

omg dude are you guys serious.....you guys have lost your minds.....this is the best thing to happen to video games since halflife 2 pardon the pun.....I will not ramble on but yes this is worth it if I knew I'd have paid 10 000 cad @Casowen chime in dude whats wrong with you guys

 

Wait till you meet Jeff

 

you have got to be kidding me....this is surreal....first geforce now now vr...um yeah this is the future

@cucubits how do i run just the oculus quest so i can use 2880x3200 rez vs 1080p

 

Sorry, no idea. I've only messed around with a Vive set. I'm not familiar with the oculus setup.

@JRE84, remember to take breaks after long sessions... you'll end up giving yourself nightmares and find yourself checking for headcrabs in the real world too

 

Dude this is the Crysis of the 2010s2020s I was looking for...I haven't even passed the first scene I'm having fun just being tricked into thinking I'm in the game..playing with items looking around having fun....at this rate I should be done the game in 5 years...I just looked up reviews and wow it's getting masterpiece and 10 awards...once you touch the radio it's an instant 10..rest is just gravy...I'm still shocked and it's only day 2

have you tried skrim vr



this guy is like half of me when i tried alyx.....imagine what ill say when im half way through....this is so freeking cool

 

Yep, I did the same. Spent quite some time on the balcony. You can throw stuff and scare a cat, you can use markers to draw on the window and then erase with your palm... it really is amazing what they did.

That first time when you find yourself on the balcony, when you first fight the combine and when you meet Jeff, were the most memorable moments for me. There are many other awesome scenes too, hard to make up a top. No more details, I don't want to spoil the fun.

I haven't tried Skyrim VR yet but I will if/when I get the Index.

 

I heard gta 6 will be vr also...friend thats does game design......sister in law

 

By the way, if you want to try something a little different but quite enjoyable, install The Lab (free on steam). The dog and longbow mini-games are a lot of fun. Very good ways to introduce anyone to VR.

 

i just found out the quest is the best headset and that it supports hand tracking...no controller needed like the index.


edit. I also like the fact its an expensive oled display with 1600x1440 vs lcd

a small group of valve developers have been working on something since 2018 and it might be half life 3???I read that but cant find the article...now thats crazy we have been april fools joking it for a decade.

 

I cant pass this part because im getting an error and I have no idea why its not findable on google...any ideas

 

lol.. now that's an error message...

 

Indeed, quite the error

I've never seen this. Is this close the the beginning? After the elevator scene? Trying also but as you say, google doesn't help much.

 

I remember seeing these when I was trying out HL2 Beta.

 

lol i reinstalled windows and re did everything even the oculus link cable...and walla only had to spend four hours manually fixing an unknown error that not even google or anyone on earth knows...lol

btw im on chapter 2 just hopped on the train..mind is made up this is GOTY for 2020 and maybe even the best half life story ever.

also i have been using computers for 30 years and my guess is its a resource error not able to load the game properly with a hdd...also yeah i had to install it on a ssd..this is the most changes in my 30 years gaming to get something to work

 

Glad you got it fixed. Can't wait to hear more about your experience as you progress.

 

this is not good...it kills your desire to play regular 2d games...I have not played crysis in 4 days and that is the longest in 13 years...this vr stuff is amazing and I know why I did not adopt sooner it's because videos don't even scratch the sruface or do it justice they are not life scale and in 2d the games look lame, but when you try it out this game in particular you really see the future..it brings you in.

and yes I have not had this much fun since the sega master system built in bike racing game when I was 4 yearsold...

78% of Americans are now familiar with using VR technology. 171 million people use VR technology today. Gaming VR revenue is expected to reach $22.9 billion by 2020. The gaming market accounts for 50% of total VR Software sales.

cucubits....You wanna know what I noticed....im playing on all low because I have only a 1060 and this game looks great compared to any triple A title and thats in 3d vr which is insane...look at how downgraded project cars 2 looks in vr and tell me alyx is not the best looking game to date.. also im stuck trying to get that big door open in chapter two....you have to be a genius to beat this game as some of it is mind bendingly hard.

 

lol, I got stuck there too for a long time. I did manage to open it by what seemed like a random choice from the walls. Only after that I noticed the cage under the structure in the middle of that area, close to the walls with the markings. I think this is vague enough so it's not actually a spoiler

Yes, I also think it's the best looking VR game but I don't have much of a comparison base. I only messed around in boneworks for a little while and the lab from steam.

 

bah I might have to look it up on youtube im stumped and feel dumb

 

No worries, keep going on, way more fun lies ahead.

 

I took a break from the game after getting stuck once again with the holographic puzzle on chapter 2..kills the fun when the puzzle makes no sense and ends up being something you miss by not looking at the level with a microscope

 

Wait, which holographic puzzle are you talking about? Don't give up, there aren't many puzzles which don't have a somewhat obvious solution nearby.

 

The globe that you grab onto and turn and activate with your tool..but to get the door to open there is a hidden slot for your tool under the console...more luck and randomness to solve it vs intelligence....reminds me of a bone headed IQ test question I came across with a better answer not listed

 

That's sort of how they intended to play the game. Rather than just running through, they want you to explore pretty thoroughly each environment. It is rewarding as a VR experience, just to mess around with objects and try out things. The globe puzzle will keep returning but once you get used to it, it'll be easy. Yes, there are a couple not so obvious puzzles, either with story items hidden or cables in the walls which need to be traced through difficult places.

Don't give up. When you meet Jeff later it'll be all worth it

 

@cucubits found this trying it out now looks amazing

 

@cucubits im trying to get gta v to work in vr with real mod can you please help...I did everything it says to do and its always crashing in first second of game starting with one eye blacked out....currently re downloading the game yet again

 

Sorry, haven't tried that yet. I only played Alyx, a bit of Boneworks and The Labs. I do have a few more on my list which I'd like to try and for sure GTA sounds very interesting to see in VR.

If it still won't work after you re-download it, I can try it out too... just that I need to make some room. With the size on the latest games, my tiny 512Gb SSDs are always full.

 

oh ok but gta v in vr does sound pretty sweet

 

I finally got it working had to do exactly as shown...settings and all....its very cool...a close second to alyx

 

Well, I've got myself into a new predicament

After 17 weeks in the queue, I've got the option now to buy the Index. If this would have happened a few weeks ago, I'd probably jump on it without a 2nd thought but since then I've started looking into other headsets too and the HP Reverb G2 caught my eyes.

There are quite a few pro and cons to be considered and if I write them down, probably it'll make the decision a bit easier.

Valve Index:
+ can get it now
+ slightly higher FOV
- lower resolution
- "classic" base station tracking setup (this is a minus maybe just for me considering my room)
- $750 for Headset and controllers (I already have a pair of base stations with a Vive set but it would be easier to sell the whole Vive set)

HP Reverb G2:
- preorder with "coming soon" ETA
- slightly lower FOV
+ higher resolution
+ tracking (while not tested thoroughly, their "inside out" tracking seems to work great - there are 4 cameras on the headset which track the controllers, and position the headset itself, no base stations required). This is a very big plus for me as I'd play in various places and moving base stations around is not an option.
+ $600 for Headset and controllers (no base stations required)

Other things to consider, maybe the Index controllers are better but this is subjective. I found the Vive controllers quite good too, I was sure I was holding a 1911 while playing Alyx

Also, the first on the list, availability, is not really an issue for me. I've got other things going on at the moment and I wouldn't have too much time for VR anyway, so I don't mind waiting some more.

In any case, we have 6 more days to decide if I go through or cancel the Index order, although looking at this now, it's sort of clear which way I'm trying to talk myself into going. Maybe others have similar pickles, in which case I'd like to hear about it

 

oooooh thats a tough descision..I say go for the higher resolution if you dont care about finger tracking.

here





@cucubits after some research yeah the g2 is the better headset the resolution gets rid of most of the screen door effect which is a huuge deal.

look at it this way which will throw you more out of the game screen door effect or pressing a button vs using fingers....obviously the screen door effect....g2 all the way bro


edit this guys the boss and he says the g2 is his new daily driver....he owns all vr heasets

 

Yes, I'm more and more convinced about the G2 as well. Thanks for looking into this, I appreciate the insight.