Good without VR?

[† Daniel †]

It says VR only, but can I play it without VR? Streamers, YouTubers, etc. also have a screen with which they record that we can then see. So this is also possible without a VR headset and can you “trick” the PC into thinking you have one?

[gabunne]

It is simply impossible. The game does not function outside of VR. A mod is indevelopment to port the game onto non-VR but it will not be nearly as good as the original game, since it was built intended for VR.

[necrophonic]

Non-VR mods do exist (in varying stages of completion - some let you play all the way through, some aren't that far along) - you'll likely find posts about them on the front page of this forum (and failing that, search "nonvr mod").

Most mods make a few compromises - either in dropping parts of the game that don't work well or at all without motion controls; or replacing things with simpler interactions.

From all reports they're playable and people have enjoyed them, but you will miss out on the main experience of the game (the "being there") and may find some bits boring/easy as they're generally balanced for VR players (it's far easier to panic and/or be overwhelmed in VR than on a flat screen).

So to your question. Playable? Yes, with mods. Good? Subjective :)

[necrophonic]

Originally posted by † Daniel †:

Originally posted by AnCapGamer:

Its not because im poor or anyhing its because many people dont have the space to play a VR game or simply cant because of a disability.

Bear in mind Alyx is designed to be able to be played purely sat down so you don't need space more than your desk (as long as you have space to at least move your arms), and has features that allow those with some physical disabilities to also play (e.g. single hand mode, gravity glove so you don't have to bend down, auto-climb ladders etc)

[🍃🪻🪷Sylvie🩵🍸🍵]

It is not recommended to play in non-VR mod. For example, if your character dies in-game, then the game will crash which is very annoying. Also, it's missing a lot of UI elements as well as animations since the game was optimized in VR mode only.

[SpyderCanopus]

Watch a play-through on youtube to save your money on playing it wrong.

[Spacecataz]

If you ask about non vr here youll mostly get troll posts in varying strength.

I use the NoVr mod and im having a blast.

[Spacecataz]

Originally posted by 🍃🪻🪷Sylvie🩵🍸🍵:

It is not recommended to play in non-VR mod. For example, if your character dies in-game, then the game will crash which is very annoying. Also, it's missing a lot of UI elements as well as animations since the game was optimized in VR mode only.

Increasing the FOV stops the crashes on death.

[juniodevs ☭λ]

Bro, it totally loses the fun of the game

[Spacecataz]

Originally posted by juniodevs ☭:

Bro, it totally loses the fun of the game

so youve played the novr mod? Yeah didnt think so

[LemonyNebula]

Originally posted by Spacecataz:

Originally posted by juniodevs ☭:

Bro, it totally loses the fun of the game

so youve played the novr mod? Yeah didnt think so

I have. Not through to the end to be honest but at least the first couple of chapters to try to get a decent feel of it. From my experience I would say if you play it non VR, it loses about 80% of what makes it as good as it is.

I wouldn't even say it makes it bad, just nothing compared to within VR. I think the most non VR benefit there is, is it is easier to mess around with. Shove a few commands in, perhaps play it like a HL run in garrys mod just for a run around. In that sense, it can expand the game.
But for a main playthrough, in a game designed to be as immersive as it is, I would say people are doing themselves a disservice by not playing it in VR.

You cannot get that first playthrough back.

[Lord Ethcaz]

Originally posted by † Daniel †:

Originally posted by AnCapGamer:

Its not because im poor or anyhing its because many people dont have the space to play a VR game or simply cant because of a disability.

In my office, where I have my gaming PC too, I have just enough room to sit (the ceiling is only 2m high, and I'm 1.92m myself) and stretch my arms around. If I turn too much, I will hit some of my bookshelves. So, about 3 square meters. This is enough to play VR, honestly :)
I've played through Red Matter 1 and 2, I'm currently enjoying Alyx (fekking scary!) and I've played Escape Simulator and No Man's Sky.

When I play Quest 3 stand-alone titles, I go into other areas of the house, to have a proper play area, but for PC VR, my office is enough when sitting down :)

[Ceejay]

Originally posted by Spacecataz:

Originally posted by juniodevs ☭:

Bro, it totally loses the fun of the game

so youve played the novr mod? Yeah didnt think so

Have you tried in VR? If not your experience is limited.

As others have pointed out, playing it in non-vr is a totally different experience, you loose so much of the atmosphere and game play elements.

I have tried the non vr mod, just out of curiosity. Its like night and day. VR is so so much better.
If you like it in non VR, you will most likely love it in VR.

Now if I have never played the VR version, possibly I would have liked the non VR version better, however I could not get through more than a few chapters as the lack of atmosphere, difference in game play, simply led to a far inferior experience and it was noticeably far less interesting and less fun to play, to the point it became annoying, frustrating and felt kind of pointless, at least for me. Playing the same sections back in VR was just so much better.

An analogy I made in another thread was, imagine buying a racing game, then modding it so your car was slow, can you still play the game, yes, can you still go round the tracks, yes, is it as fun or exciting to play, no, will some people still like it, yes, but overall your missing a big part of the game play.

[Ninja Eule]

Having played just 2 hours before even getting into combat I say sorry but no.

First off the atmosphere doesn't translate well. In VR you will get scared/surprised by things that would be just some set piece in flatscreen. Secondly, obstacles like opening a door aren't obstacles if all you have to do is press the interact key. Thirdly just interacting with objects like smashing bottles is fun in VR. I wouldn't have spent 2 hours in the introduction sequence if that wasn't the case.

Save yourself the money and watch someone else playing the game you will most likely get a better experience as this won't erase all the obstacles and if you are annoyed with the player goofing around you can skip it, although I would recommend not doing that as it's part of the experience.

If you want to experience the game in a way that's fun then get yourself a used Meta Quest 2 look up the recommended specs and upgrade your PC if needed. The game is demanding but you won't need the latest hardware so you should be able to find some good deals on used parts or buy more budget current-gen hardware.

[Dynamonic]

The NoVR mod for Half-Life: Alyx has just received a new summer update, including various improvements to the non-VR experience. Here is the trailer:

https://youtu.be/0f7y7gmUDZE?si=ugAXW6pvWLKkilOb

[[N☆G]RubyRedGlow]

I plan to do this if/when 3 ever releases. I'll finally play 2, get Alyx cheap and go through non-VR, then play 3.