Half-Life: Alyx Archives

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

The Best VR Headsets for PC Gaming

In virtual reality, high-quality VR headsets paired with robust gaming PCs enhance the immersive experience, with most top-tier VR games benefiting from superior PC graphics and performance. The best VR headsets for PC include: 1. Valve Index: - Resolution: 1440x1600 per eye - Refresh Rate: 120Hz (144Hz experimental) - Field of View: 130° - Tracking: 6DoF - Weight: 1.79 lbs 2. Meta Quest 3S: - Resolution: 1832x1920 per eye - Refresh Rate: 120Hz - Field of View: 90° - Tracking: 6DoF - Weight: 1.13 lbs 3. HTC Vive Pro 2: - Resolution: 2448x2448 per eye - Refresh Rate: 120Hz - Field of View: 120° - Tracking: 6DoF - Weight: 1.9 lbs 4. HTC Vive XR Elite: - Resolution: 1920x1920 per eye - Refresh Rate: 90Hz - Field of View: 110° - Tracking: 6DoF - Weight: 1.38 lbs 5. PlayStation VR2: - Resolution: 2000x2040 per eye - Refresh Rate: 120Hz - Field of View: 110° - Tracking: 6DoF - Weight: 1.24 lbs Choosing the best VR headset involves evaluating technical specifications, comfort, and fit. A powerful PC is recommended for optimal VR performance, especially for demanding titles. Standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 3S and Pico 4 do not require a PC, while the PlayStation VR2 can connect to a PC with an adapter. VR headsets often go on sale during major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

AppWizard

November 28, 2024

Steam Autumn Sale 2024: The best deals we’ve spotted

Valve has launched the Steam Autumn Sale for 2024, featuring discounts on thousands of game titles. Notable deals include Dragon’s Dogma 2 for AUD 7.53, Metaphor ReFantazio for AUD 4.21, and early access to Hades 2 for AUD 7.55. Discounts are available on classic games such as Silent Hill 2, Ghost of Tsushima, and the Resident Evil franchise. Some highlighted deals include: - Against the Storm – AUD 9.97 (-50%) - Assassin’s Creed Mirage – AUD 19.98 (-60%) - Crusader Kings 3 – AUD 8.98 (-70%) - Darkest Dungeon – AUD 7.92 (-92%) - Diablo 4 – AUD 29.97 (-40%) - Divinity: Original Sin 2 – AUD 14.48 (-70%) - Monster Hunter Rise – AUD 24.24 (-75%) - Resident Evil 4 – AUD 29.97 (-50%) - Star Wars Jedi Survivor – AUD 24.98 (-75%) - Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands – AUD 9.99 (-80%) Prices are listed in Australian Dollars (AUD).

AppWizard

November 16, 2024

Gabe Newell ponders the future in new Half-Life 2 documentary: ‘I think that Half-Life represents a tool we have and promises made to customers’

Valve has celebrated the 20th anniversary of Half-Life 2 by reuniting the original development team, who recorded in-game commentary available for free on Steam. They also released a two-hour documentary on YouTube detailing the game's development. The documentary does not confirm any upcoming titles like Half-Life 3 or Half-Life: Alyx 2, but Valve engineer Brian Jacobson and co-founder Gabe Newell suggest that the future of the franchise may depend on advancements in gaming technology.

AppWizard

November 15, 2024

Best PC Games to Play (2025)

PC gaming is thriving with a wide variety of titles catering to different tastes. Notable PC games include: 1. Baldur’s Gate 3 - Features deep role-playing mechanics and engaging storytelling with turn-based combat and character customization. 2. Elden Ring - An action RPG with challenging combat and an expansive open world, including a new DLC titled "Shadow of the Erdtree." 3. Cyberpunk 2077 - Set in a futuristic world, it combines action with narrative depth and character customization. 4. Red Dead Redemption 2 - Offers a richly detailed open world and compelling narrative in a Wild West setting. 5. Disco Elysium - A detective RPG focused on dialogue and decision-making within a unique world. 6. Hades II - A fast-paced roguelike where players battle through the underworld. 7. Half-Life: Alyx - A benchmark for VR gaming with a gripping narrative. 8. Doom Eternal - An intense first-person shooter against demonic forces. 9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - An epic RPG with an expansive world and intricate quests. 10. Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Features strategic turn-based combat and cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Top games currently on Steam include: 1. Counter-Strike 2 - 563,733 current players, 1,442,806 peak players. 2. Dota 2 - 312,401 current players, 797,599 peak players. 3. Banana - 212,617 current players, 483,731 peak players. 4. Call of Duty® - 208,292 current players, 313,313 peak players. 5. Rust - 90,821 current players, 182,603 peak players. 6. THRONE AND LIBERTY - 84,819 current players, 229,014 peak players. 7. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS - 83,168 current players, 755,939 peak players. 8. Grand Theft Auto V - 61,381 current players, 172,551 peak players. 9. Baldur’s Gate 3 - 55,111 current players, 107,242 peak players. 10. Factorio - 48,876 current players, 118,166 peak players. PC Gamer’s Top 10 Games of 2024 include: 1. Baldur’s Gate 3 - 97% rating. 2. Disco Elysium. 3. Elden Ring. 4. Minecraft. 5. Persona 5 Royal. 6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. 7. Half-Life 2. 8. Balatro. 9. Stardew Valley. 10. Doom (1993). Popular multiplayer games include Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Apex Legends, and Among Us. Free-to-play games with critical acclaim are Dota 2, Fortnite, Path of Exile, and Warframe. Classic PC games include Half-Life 2, Portal, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Minecraft. Recommended games for low-spec hardware include Stardew Valley, Terraria, FTL: Faster Than Light, Celeste, and Undertale.

AppWizard

October 14, 2024

Half-Life: Alyx Mod Gunman Contracts Becomes Full Game On PC VR Next Year

Solo developer ANB_Seth will release their debut title, Gunman Contracts - Stand Alone, in early access in 2025. The game is a VR shooter developed in partnership with publisher 2080 Games and will be available on Steam for both VR and flatscreen. It originated as a mod for Half-Life: Alyx and features a gritty mobster narrative. The early access phase is expected to last two to three years, with players initially having access to Gunman's Base, a variety of weapons, and the first contract. The game aims to include around six contracts by its full version 1.0 release.

AppWizard

September 28, 2024

One of the co-creators of Risk of Rain is now working on Deadlock

Duncan "Hopoo" Drummond, co-founder of Hopoo Games, has confirmed his involvement with Valve's upcoming title, Deadlock, following the studio's transition to Valve. Most of the Hopoo Games team, including Drummond and developer Morse, have shifted their focus from an unannounced project codenamed "Snail" to Deadlock. Drummond communicated with fans via Discord, indicating that any fixes he makes may not be included in the current build. There is speculation about the roles of other Hopoo Games team members at Valve, where over half of the 336 employees are involved in active game development. Current major projects at Valve include Counter-Strike 2 and Deadlock, while the future of other titles like Half-Life: Alyx remains uncertain. The situation draws parallels to Campo Santo, acquired by Valve in 2018, whose sequel to Firewatch has been postponed. Drummond's experience in third-person shooters and progression systems aligns well with Deadlock's requirements, suggesting potential for high-quality gaming experiences despite concerns about independent studios' visions being overshadowed.

AppWizard

September 3, 2024

Risk of Rain 2’s creators, along with ‘many other’ devs from Hopoo, have been snapped up by Valve—which means the end of the studio’s unannounced game

Risk of Rain 2 and its predecessors have gained popularity in the gaming community, with the original game developed by Duncan Drummond and Paul Morse becoming an indie hit. The sequel, released in 2019, had 500,000 players during its early access phase. In 2022, the Risk of Rain intellectual property was transferred from Hopoo Games to Gearbox. Founders Drummond and Morse, along with other team members, announced they are joining Valve for game development, which led to the cancellation of their unannounced project "Snail." The team expressed mixed emotions about this transition but remains committed to making games. The collaboration with Valve is anticipated to produce exciting results, despite the disappointment over the cancellation of "Snail." Valve has released several titles in recent years, indicating a revitalization of their development efforts.

BetaBeacon

August 22, 2024

I tried 11 new VR games from Gamescom. Here are my favorites

Gamescom is the new E3 and featured 11 new Meta Quest games, including Vendetta Forever and Grim, which is described as Valheim on Mars with guns. Grim is a PvPvE game set on Mars where players build domes, craft resources, and venture out to collect resources from other players' domes. Bootstrap Island is a roguelike island survival game with stunning visuals and realistic gameplay. Escaping Wonderland is a fusion of adventure game and puzzler set in a diorama-sized world. Ember Souls is a VR game inspired by Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, featuring parkour, climbing, time-stopping elements, and combat. Most of the games previewed are set to launch later this year.

AppWizard

August 12, 2024

Good luck with the PlayStation VR2 PC Adapter — you’ll need it

The PSVR 2 virtual reality headset from Sony has received attention for its impressive image quality but faces significant challenges, particularly in game availability and technical performance. Users have reported persistent issues, including glitches during gameplay, such as disembodied hands, and difficulties connecting the headset to PCs. The PSVR 2 PC adapter, which connects via USB-A and DisplayPort, does not support essential controllers, complicating the setup process. Additionally, the headset lacks support for features like HDR, eye tracking, adaptive triggers, and DualSense haptic feedback. Users have experienced narrow lens clarity, poor controller battery life, and ongoing tracking issues, with many unable to resolve these problems despite extensive troubleshooting. Attempts to connect controllers via Bluetooth have been problematic, and accessing the SteamVR overlay often results in crashes. Many users feel unsupported by Sony, leading to frustrations regarding the adapter's reliability and overall performance.

AppWizard

August 8, 2024

PlayStation VR2 Users Might Not Need the Adapter to Play Games on PC After All – IGN

Sony has introduced PC VR support for the PSVR2, allowing users to play popular PC VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx. To use this feature, a PC adapter is required, but some users have found a workaround by connecting the headset's USB-C cable directly to compatible graphics cards and downloading the PSVR2 Steam App. This workaround relies on the VirtualLink USB-C port, which is available on select GPUs, primarily from the GeForce RTX 20 series and AMD's Radeon RX 6000 and RX 7000 series. However, compatibility can vary, and some users experience Bluetooth connectivity issues with the PSVR2's Sense Controllers when not using the adapter. While the PSVR2 has impressive specifications, it has struggled in the market, and reports indicate cuts to funding for VR development. The addition of PC VR support allows access to a wider game library, but not all PSVR2 features are functional on PC.