You no longer need a VR headset to enjoy Half-Life: Alyx
New Life
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There’s finally a way to play the entireHalf-Life Alyxcampaign without a VR headset from start to finish, but it has little to do with Valve.
A mod forHalf-Life AlyxentitledHalf-Life Alyx NoVRhas just released its latest, largest update. In aTwitter post, the mod’s developers announced: “The campaign can now be completed from start to finish! Gravity Gloves are working, Combine fabricators can be used to upgrade your weapons and much more!”
Developed by a small handful of people led byGB_2, the mod “allows you to play Half-Life Alyx without VR, not needing specialized drivers or anything like that. Allowing for it to be played anyway and anywhere you like”, according to itsModdb page.Fans have well received Half-Life Alyx NoVR,and is currently themost popular mod on Moddband boasts a user score of 9/10.
The mod’s warm reception and high demand comes as little surprise since even thebest VR headsetsare often prohibitively expensive.Half-Life Alyxis only available onSteamVR, compatible with theValve Indexand theOculus Quest 2. Though this powerful new technology undoubtedly helps titles likeHalf-Life Alyxprovide a more immersive time for players, it’s clear that the steep price tag on VR technology has priced a lot of fans out of the experience.
Half-Life fans have notoriously been long-starved for content. Before the release ofHalf-Life Alyxin 2020, there hadn’t been a mainline Half-Life release sinceHalf-Life 2 Episode 2in 2007. In this context, it makes sense that players would want an accessible Half-Life experience, which, despite its critical acclaim,Half-Life Alyxsought to provide.
ThoughHalf-Life Alyx NoVRis still in early access, Half-Life fans can finally enjoyAlyxwithout needing expensive peripherals. The mod is also easy to install, requiring only that you copy and paste its folders into the right location.
Full-Life consequences
However, the fact that this mod has to exist is a sad indictment of the state of VR gaming. Incredible experiences are available, but only to those willing to pay. For instance, thePSVR 2boasts some gorgeous games in the form ofHorizon Call of the MountainandGran Turismo 7. However, thePSVR2’s price is its biggest obstacle, setting you back even more than thePS5itself.
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Though not every VR headset is quite as costly, it’s a big ask demand of prospective gamers that they fork out several hundred more pounds on top of the price of a console or gaming PC.
It also seems odd that Valve didn’t bake a VR-free mode intoHalf-Life Alyx. Despite looking gorgeous in VR, I was extremely glad when I discovered thatStar Wars: Squadronswould not require VR hardware since I have never owned a headset myself.
Still, I do, at times, find myself envying the headset-havers.Beat Saber,Elite: Dangerous,and evenHalf-Life Alyxitself demonstrate plenty of great experiences to enjoy through these impressive pieces of hardware. However, the very existence ofHalf-Life Alyx NoVRspeaks to the prohibitive nature of the investment and the need for affordable forms of VR hardware.
An editor and freelance journalist, Cat Bussell has been writing about video games for more than four years and, frankly, she’s developed a taste for it. As seen on TechRadar, Technopedia, The Gamer, Wargamer, and SUPERJUMP, Cat’s reviews, features, and guides are lovingly curated for your reading pleasure.
A Cambridge graduate, recovering bartender, and Cloud Strife enjoyer, Cat’s foremost mission is to bring you the best coverage she can, whether that’s through helpful guides, even-handed reviews, or thought-provoking features. She’s interviewed indie darlings, triple-A greats, and legendary voice actors, all to help you get closer to the action. When she’s not writing, Cat can be found sticking her neck into a fresh RPG or running yet another Dungeons & Dragons game.
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