Is it worth playing on vive wands

[Marshall]

So I don't have the index controllers, just the wands. Is this worth it? I am hoping it will be just fine.

[Beatfox]

you're going to have the VR experience, that's the important part. The benefits of the index controllers are just surface.

[masterbard]

Yes. It works very well with Vive wands. No issue there.

[sonikku dammit]

i played with both Vive wands and Index controllers. in my opinion it's perfectly playable on the Vive with Vive wands, in some cases better. you won't really be missing the extra features the Index controllers provide, such as finger tracking, as they are just aesthetic features. the game is designed to handle gestures with the Vive as well as it can, it wasn't much of a difference when i moved on to index controllers.

with Vive controllers the grips are actually used to release your weapon's clip. the Vive trigger contracts/releases your index finger, and since it has no touch simulation, your fingers automatically grip objects you are holding, and all but index fingers extend (if you depress the trigger) when you place your hand in close proximity to buttons for example. movement is controlled by your second hand, and rotation with your primary hand, on embossed touchpads.

when i got the index controllers, my gameplay noticeably changed to favor physical rotation & movement, because i suddenly started under-using the D-pad to rotate. the Vive touchpads seemed more natural for rotation. the Index controllers use directional sticks in place of touchpads, which you flick instead of press/depress. this felt very weird from the very start and throughout my playthrough. i started to notice an effect where if i flicked forward too hard, it would bounce back. this double-register meant i was often hitting left, rotating left, and then rotating right directly after the rebound accidentally registers. very annoying but call that user error.

the other thing i could not get over: you cannot let go of Vive wands, the Index controllers are literally strapped to your hands and you're free to move your hands around as much as you want. this was a MASSIVE relief. this is ultimately what changed my gameplay to prefer realistic movement. the controllers added so much immersion i'd subconsciously decided to teleport and rotate less often to enjoy it. there was also not a single combine who's last sight on earth wasn't me giving them the finger.

[Oblivion]

I finished the game with Vive wands and they played wonderfully. I like to use the grip button as.... err.... grip, so I changed the mappings to do so, no problems.

[Drower]

I agree with sonikku. You don't really need the index controllers, but will be doing fine with the Vive controllers. My only real complaint is how the game maps the menu button by default, but that can be changed.

[LeadCatcher]

Mr Eos, you are a hoot. Do you stay awake all night to come up with the drivel you post, or does it just come naturally?

[ShurikMur]

Wands may be not the best VR controllers, but it is just because they where 1st to hit consumer market and everything after them tends to be better. But not bu much. The only major downside of wands - grip button, but it almost never used in HL:A. Only for ejecting a mag, but this loosely resembles how you eject a magazine on a real pistol.
Beside that, the locations of buttons are very simple and it is hard to get lost.

[IanL]

Having encountered Mr Eos in the past, I think it just comes naturally

[Doctor Theo]

It's not like Boneworks where Vive Wands is just an absolute pain. Half Life Alyx should be very comfortable for you

[rygar8bit]

Played through the whole thing using launch Vive. Had no problems.