We're just under a month before the release of the next Half-Life game, and we still can't believe we've typed it.
It's been so long since the last game and the memes on the show have more or less returned our hopes of seeing another dead. But, Valve has decided to bring back the series with Half-Life: Alyx, the completely VR adventure that takes place before the events of Half Life 2. By placing players in the role of popular character Alyx Vance, Valve aims to make their even more immersive universe by releasing the game for VR only. That's right, if you want to dive into Half Life's next adventure, you're going to have to do it with a VR headset.
For those of us who haven't got our own helmet, finding the right one can be daunting. There are a lot of options and none of them are necessarily cheaper. Companies like Facebook and Valve, themselves, have all dipped their toes into the world of VR headsets, which is why we've compiled this guide for you to find the best headset to meet your needs.
Best choice for cheap
Windows Mixed Reality
This VR headset is, by far, the cheapest way to play Half-Life: Alyx. They are available from various manufacturers including HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft. While specifications may vary for each headset, you can expect to get a resolution of 2880 × 1440, with a 90Hz refresh rate, which isn't too bad at all! Controllers come with every headset, but they're a bit bulky, which can be annoying.
Also, the stock of these helmets can be quite low, which makes finding one of them rather difficult. The Microsoft Store is probably your best bet for finding one, and they usually have them at solid prices. Right now, you can find the top-of-the-line headset, the Samsung Odyssey +, for just $ 229 right now at the Microsoft Store. The Odyssey + will give you higher resolution and a wider field of view, and at this low price, it's not a bad deal at all.
Best choice for value
Oculus Rift S
The Oculus Rift S is the advanced headset in the Oculus line, and it's also a lot cheaper than other headsets on the market. While it's more expensive than Windows Mixed Reality, its increased specs and power, combined with its lower cost, make it a great compromise for anyone looking to spend a bit more on a headset.
While the screen is a bit smaller on the Rift S, with a 2560 × 1440 LCD screen with an 80Hz refresh rate, headphone tracking is its strong point. The headset has a solid internal tracking solution that does not yet require external base stations and is very accurate. Along with this powerful tracking, the price includes both controllers for the headset and they are excellent. While they lack the one-finger-tracking accuracy of Valve Index's controllers, they still perform very well in the game.
Additionally, beyond Half-Life: Alyx, Oculus' game catalog is excellent, so you'll have a wider range of games to play after completing this latest story in Valve's beloved series. While the stock of this headset is also quite limited and they can be hard to find, they typically cost around $ 399, but can find sales as low as $ 350.
Best choice for performance
Valve index
This should come as no surprise, but Valve's own VR headset is the best way to play Half-Life: Alyx, as the game was developed to take full advantage of the headset's functionality.
The 130-degree display has a combined resolution of 2880 × 1600 and uses the true RGB sub-pixel layout to make images sharper than you would find on other VR headsets. The refresh rate is at 144Hz which is much higher than other headsets on the market. Headphone tracking is great, Knuckle controllers make finger tracking amazing, and the sound is high quality.
Unfortunately, this increase in tracking is due to the reliance on the base stations that you will have to set up in the room, which means there is a bit more assembly required than with other headsets. Plus, the power of the headset means you'll need a computer with enough power to use the headset. It also means that the headset is one of the more expensive options. While you can buy the base headset for $ 499 on Vapor, if you want the whole package, including the controllers and base stations, it'll set you back $ 999, not a small amount of money. Additionally, the stock of this headset is currently quite limited, with Valve saying the spread of the Coronavirus has impacted production schedules. But they promise that more headsets will be available before the game is released.
So if you're looking to dive into Valve's all-new adventure without breaking the bank, we recommend the Windows Mixed Reality headset. You might not get the performance as high end options, but the game will still be playable. If you want something more in the middle; more power but still quite reasonable with the price, the Oculus Rift S is a great option for those looking to find that compromise. But for those of us who won't settle for anything less than the best and can afford to waste a fair amount of it on a headset, the Valve Index is, by far, the best option for experiencing the game. .
There are a wide variety of options in the VR world, and many of them are gaming friendly as well, but these are our picks for you, depending on what you need and can afford. Regardless, our enthusiasm for Half-Life: Alyx continues to grow. We really hope it's Valve's return to greatness and the start of more Half-Life games in the works. Even nothing else, it's just nice to see Valve start making real games again.
Half-Life: Alyx will be released on March 23.
