Half-Life Alyxlaunched toeffectively universal acclaimin 2020. Its only arguable fault being that it was locked behind the substantial asking price of owning a VR headset. Modders have alleviated this problem since, and NoVR mod, in particular, stands out as a highlight with its Summer update.
Now, in 2024, VR headsets are cheaper and more capable than ever before, but the value of theHalf-Life AlyxNoVR mod is still unquestionable. Certainly,Alyxis best played with a VR headset, and translating the experience to a “flat” gameplay mod means undercutting the experience it was developed as. But for those unconvinced, the new Summer 2024 update ofAlyxNoVR is absolutely loaded with features, such as the improved support for Valve’s own Steam Deck handheld. That’s right: you may now playHalf-Life Alyxperfectly well on the Steam Deck. How’sthatfor impressive?
It is now easier to play Half-Life Alyx on the Steam Deck than ever before
All cheekiness aside, the NoVR mod is the best way to experienceHalf-Life Alyxif you cannot afford or, heck, categorically refuse to purchase a VR headset.Its latest updatedelivers a whole smorgasbord of major upgrades, including:
The team behind NoVR has also confirmed that there’s a bevy of further updates coming to the mod in 2024:
And lots more. Now, to be fair, playingHalf-Life Alyxin its NoVR iteration is only broadly equivalent to the experience of playing it in true VR. Youarelosing out on the nuances of its gameplay in doing so. Yet, if it’s the only way for you to play the game, it’s hard to argue against it. Either way, theAlyxNoVR team has done tremendous work here, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what else comes of the project.
In other related news, there’s recently been a resurgence of rumors about – believe it or not –Half-Life 3of all things. The mysteriousProject White Sandsis the current murmur of the townand while we’ve got precious little to go on at this time, everything points to it beingsomethingof interest to fans of Valve’s school of game design. We’ll see what comes of it in the end, but in the interim, at least we now knoweveryonecan enjoyHalf-Life Alyx, even if it might not be the way Valve envisioned it.
