Half-Life Alyx Can Now Be Played Outside VR
Half-Life Alyx has been modded with a mouse-and-keyboard control combo.
A team of modders released an early access mod that allows gamers to play Steam’s Half-Life: Alyx without needing a VR headset. For those who aren’t acquainted with the game, this Half-Life installment is Valve’s PC VR-exclusive release that requires a headset to play. However, thanks to the active modding community, that’s no longer the case, as the game can now be played with a mouse-and-keyboard control combo—a method that many fans of Valve’s biggest game prefer.
According to Ars Technica, a GB_2 Development Team has made a no-VR mod for Half-Life: Alyx, a fantastic prequel to the enthralling Half-Life 2 that was previously inaccessible to gamers who either don’t own a VR headset or don’t have any intention of ever buying one. Well, all of that changed now that the team has released a noVR mod that has attracted thousands of players to the game since it was released. And though the mod previously allowed for select areas of the game to be played, the recent update allows players to play through the entire game from start to finish.
Installing the new Half-Life VR mod is rather simple, as you just need to copy a downloaded folder into your Steam installation and add a short text string to the launch options—all of these options are accessible through the Steam Game Library. Unfortunately, the mod doesn’t work with any previously saved game files that involved VR, but the developers have implemented a level select option into the game, allowing you to jump to a particular section without having to play through or get into the virtual reality.
The creators of the Half-Life: Alyx mod also stated that the no-VR mode also reduced system requirements quite a bit since the game doesn’t have to render each frame twice as it would usually have to in 3D VR. Moreover, the most interesting part is that the game runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck as well, creating a gaming experience that’s vastly different from the one developer originally intended. This doesn’t have to be an issue, especially if you’re not a fan of VR gaming—which really comprises a negligible gaming market share.
Exclusivity aside, it’s actually quite reasonable to ask why don’t all VR games contain a no-VR mode. Half-Life is a really popular franchise among PC gamers, and it’s really surprising that Valve made it into a VR-exclusive, especially if we factor in the fact that even Sony has reduced its exclusivity, especially when it comes to PSVR 2—which is more of an accessory rather than a gameplay method. With everything said, the no-VR mod actually solves all the issues associated with a VR game and the lack of a VR headset.
Half-Life: Alyx no-VR is impressively playable without a headset, which is great for a game that’s built solely with VR technology in mind. The complex hand gestures you would otherwise have to employ are now bound to specific keys, which is great in itself. However, it does limit the gaming experience a bit, particularly if you’re expected to walk around and shoot a gun. But if you’re in it just for the story, this mod is actually pretty great. In other VR-related news, Foundation is becoming a VR video game, and Resident Evil VR has been released for free.
