Half-Life's NoVR project: while not yet complete, Alyx already seems to offer a satisfying way to experience the 2020 shooter without an expensive and bulky headset. A recent update has added a complete custom view model for the pistol, making NoVR compatible with other mods.

I don't want to be too dismissive of VR, but hey, I don't have the space or money for that kind of business, and I have major doubts about the more "walled garden" direction that Meta is going in for Oculus. If I can't experience it in the old-fashioned, godforsaken 16:9 aspect ratio (or 16:10 on the go), then it's not for me.

Alyx has had a slew of flat panel mods since its release, but in contrast to the superb post-production, they have been slow to make it into a polished non-VR shooter campaign that I actually want to play. The last time we checked in on Half-Life was in April: when we last checked in on Alyx NoVR in April, the team was finally ready to play it from start to finish in its new configuration. [NoVR also now supports major Alyx mods, such as the Levitation custom campaign previously featured at the 2022 PC Gaming Show. NoVR also now supports major Alyx mods such as the Levitation custom campaign previously featured at the 2022 PC Gaming Show. [There still needs to be a proper full view model for Alyx's other weapons like shotguns, pulse rifles, and upgraded versions of basic pistols. But as it stands, I'm tempted to check out this title, which is getting a new lease of life thanks to mods that, for me so far, are making the "lost" Half-Life experience comparable to the PS2 and co-op-only "Decay" campaign by Gearbox.

As GamingOnLinux pointed out, NoVR's latest update coincided with the launch of Half-Life: Alyx as part of the Steam Summer Sale, normally $60, now available for $24. The changelog for NoVR's latest update are as follows: