All platform VR discussion

Qikz wrote:

FatDaz wrote:

Zilnad wrote:Wahey!

I remember also being terrified of the zombies when I first started, like real panic inducing, but now I'm a fearless, cool as ice, zombie killing machine

They haven’t even done anything yet and I still want to pop a few headshots just to be safe!

The combine are an absolute joke in Half Life 2. In Alyx though holy strawberry float ever single time I come across them I felt so scared.

That first encounter coming out of the lift will stay with me forever. Genuine fear and I was surrendering before they even ordered me to.

Sometimes I think I shot myself in the foot, making HL:A one of my very first VR games, in that it took me a while to accept that everything else wasn't as amazing. But on the other hand, not having my "VR legs" yet only enhanced the feelings and emotions I felt during scenes like the above.

Zilnad wrote:

Qikz wrote:

FatDaz wrote:

Zilnad wrote:Wahey!

I remember also being terrified of the zombies when I first started, like real panic inducing, but now I'm a fearless, cool as ice, zombie killing machine

They haven’t even done anything yet and I still want to pop a few headshots just to be safe!

The combine are an absolute joke in Half Life 2. In Alyx though holy strawberry float ever single time I come across them I felt so scared.

That first encounter coming out of the lift will stay with me forever. Genuine fear and I was surrendering before they even asked.

Sometimes I think I shot myself in the foot, making HL:A one of my very first VR games, in that it took me a while to accept that everything else wasn't as amazing. But on the other hand, not having my "VR legs" yet only enhanced the feelings and emotions I felt during scenes like the above.

Oh I already had my VR legs when I played Alyx and it didn't make it any less emotional.

I literally cried at the ending for a good 20 minutes, it was so good.

Just think, FatDaz will soon be meeting Jeff

Zilnad wrote:Just think, FatDaz will soon be meeting Jeff

Jeff



Incredible game. I love how real.world behavior creeps in without you having to think about it. A zombie bashed a barrel at me an I just raised my gun to block it and it worked. Also smashing glass put of a window with my gun and putting my arm through to kill a headcrab while staying outside for cover.

Tldr just a gimmick mate

Realising I was using the barrel of my gun to open drawers and cupboards was a galaxy brain moment for me. It was just so completely natural that I hadn't even considered the technical requirements needed to make it all possible and then when I did stop and acknowledge what I was doing, I couldn't stop grinning in joy.

I carried Gnome Chompski through the game on my second play through and that was pretty funny. Putting him down carefully whenever I had to deal with combat so as to make sure I didn't lose him. Kinda cute really

Even things as simple as reaching my hand under a stuck shutter to reach ammo blew my mind. In traditional games, the indication would be you need to combine items to get the shutter working again. But in Alyx it's as natural as just reaching under as you would in real life.

So incredibly simple but really mind blowing

This is one of my best gaming experiences ever and I’m only chapter 3. Just got the flashlight and gone through the zombie infested darkness! Holy hell that was tense. Had to take a break. Not sure who or what Jeff is but I’m already looking forward to meeting it / them (unless it’s horrible then I won’t look forward to it)

Jeff

Glad you're having an amazing time. I'm envious of your first time experience!

This is fantastic but I need to take regular breaks. Just had an epic scene involving a train

Properly panic at the armored headcrabs. Wasting ammo left right and centre.

I also LOVE that it encourages real world ammo conservation and reloading discipline. Only being able to carry full clips means reloading risks losing those few shots left. But reloading mid battle can be chaotic!

Feel like I’ve hikacked the thread a bit but I can’t describe how awesome HL Alyx is, and how well the meta quest 3 handles running it. Had some epic shootouts with combine now, close quarters and tactical use of grenades!

Valve really should make more games, they really are masters of encounter design, fluid and natural tutorial and world building. They truly understand the gamer and design around that to ensure it’s intuitive even while innovating in a way no other studio seems to do. The lack of half life 3 is criminal, though I understand the weight of expectation would crush it now, they missed the window sadly,

Hijack away! It's great reading your impressions.

In chapter 5 at the moment, working way through hotel. The atmosphere is super creepy and I’m being a real coward creeping through and retreating whenever I hear anything!

They’ve just introduced the electric dog enemies and the fight in the laundry room with the corpses was epic!

Working my way to the roof and saving ammo by letting the barnacles do the hard work for me.

Still no one called Jeff. Just Russell on the radio. I thought he was voiced by Taiko Waititi given the style of humour but IMDB says otherwise. Voice acting is still top notch.

Loving this so far but having to take breaks both for nerves but also aching legs

FatDaz wrote:In chapter 5 at the moment, working way through hotel. The atmosphere is super creepy and I’m being a real coward creeping through and retreating whenever I hear anything!

They’ve just introduced the electric dog enemies and the fight in the laundry room with the corpses was epic!

Working my way to the roof and saving ammo by letting the barnacles do the hard work for me.

Still no one called Jeff. Just Russell on the radio. I thought he was voiced by Taiko Waititi given the style of humour but IMDB says otherwise. Voice acting is still top notch.

Loving this so far but having to take breaks both for nerves but also aching legs

Have you been so lost in the moment that you've done something stupid yet? I remember during one combine fight I tried to crouch and hide behind a column, then ended up sitting on my pc as I didn't even realise I'd moved around the room.

There's a dedicated Alyx thread by the way if you want to try to pick up some more people to talk about it with:

t:half-life-alyx-announced

Victor Mildew wrote:

FatDaz wrote:In chapter 5 at the moment, working way through hotel. The atmosphere is super creepy and I’m being a real coward creeping through and retreating whenever I hear anything!

They’ve just introduced the electric dog enemies and the fight in the laundry room with the corpses was epic!

Working my way to the roof and saving ammo by letting the barnacles do the hard work for me.

Still no one called Jeff. Just Russell on the radio. I thought he was voiced by Taiko Waititi given the style of humour but IMDB says otherwise. Voice acting is still top notch.

Loving this so far but having to take breaks both for nerves but also aching legs

Have you been so lost in the moment that you've done something stupid yet? I remember during one combine fight I tried to crouch and hide behind a column, then ended up sitting on my pc as I didn't even realise I'd moved around the room.

There's a dedicated Alyx thread by the way if you want to try to pick up some more people to talk about it with:

t:half-life-alyx-announced

All the Alyx talk has me considering an upgrade to my old Rift CV1.

Not going to be anytime soon though. Just need to decide if I want to go for the Index, or go with the Quest 3 and a link cable. Quest 3 has the advantage of being almost 50% cheaper and will have the oculus exclusives, but how does it stack tech wise against the Index?

Got me considering a Q3 now

LewisD wrote:Got me considering a Q3 now

I’m using PCVR by cable with Q3 and while you do need a big cable it’s fine and runs well. If getting meta quest 3 you need to budget for an elite strap. The cloth one it ships with is like medieval torture device. I’ve been very impressed with mine and even the wife thinks it’s good (I was braced for justifying cost but she loves it too). I had wanted PSVR2 but I fear Sony are doing a Sony and leaving it abandoned. If you only get Quest ports anyway, you might as well get the hardware which is being supported (that was my logic) and the chance to play HL Alyx!

FatDaz wrote:

LewisD wrote:Got me considering a Q3 now

I’m using PCVR by cable with Q3 and while you do need a big cable it’s fine and runs well. If getting meta quest 3 you need to budget for an elite strap. The cloth one it ships with is like medieval torture device. I’ve been very impressed with mine and even the wife thinks it’s good (I was braced for justifying cost but she loves it too). I had wanted PSVR2 but I fear Sony are doing a Sony and leaving it abandoned. If you only get Quest ports anyway, you might as well get the hardware which is being supported (that was my logic) and the chance to play HL Alyx!

Are you serious? They still haven't fixed their base strap in spite of the ridiculous price increase?

I got burned with the Quest 2 Elite strap I had snapping 4-5 times, admittedly they did replace it each time for free but given how expensive the new one is I was hoping it'd have a good strap.

I bought a cheaper third party elite strap and it’s great. Still expensive for what should have been included but essential if you plan to play for more than 20 mins. How they thought the cloth strap was acceptable I’ll never know.