Im entirely convinced people who complain about the game being too easy uses teleportation, I played it with smooth and the fights were really hard haha
Yeah sadly it's default. I think they could have presented the options in 3 big panels that each have a gif showing you the difference with a description. Instead they leave people to figure it out with the few words.
Honestly, this game went from "never heard of it" straight into the "future purchase" box after those amazing gifs.
What puzzles me is: I see obvious continuous motion in those gifs, with a point-toward-destination mechanic, but not "teleport", where I define teleport as a near-instant movement between two points with little or no inbetween (like in Alyx, where there is a slight move forward).
Another thing you should think of is sure the Combine stand out in the open a lot, but they won't hesitate to shoot your ass with perfect aim if you fuck up by sticking your head out for just a second. It's not a breeze through the park.
Honestly, this game went from "never heard of it" straight into the "future purchase" box after those amazing gifs.
What puzzles me is: I see obvious continuous motion in those gifs, with a point-toward-destination mechanic, but not "teleport", where I define teleport as a near-instant movement between two points with little or no inbetween (like in Alyx, where there is a slight move forward).
Sairento has options for things like vision tunneling, which progressively dims the periphery of your vision and temporarily projects the world onto a flat surface when moving which are well understood VR comfort settings.
Im entirely convinced people who complain about the game being too easy used teleportation, I played it with smooth and the fights were really hard haha
I use smooth, but use teleportation when moving between cover. I wouldn't use teleportation at all, but it's forced on me. Walking from cover to cover is pretty silly
Finally found a solution for the height problem I had, had to calibrate my room in a seperate Steam VR app. Now I still have the choppiness when I'm walking (free movement), have no idea how to fix that. Turning the gfx settings down doesn't help, disabled a supersample/motion smoothing setting in Steam VR video settings, didn't help... I have a Ryzen 5 3600, 2070 Super and using a Rift S headset. If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I can still play the game fine but the choppy movement is annoying.
I haven't played this yet but from videos I've seen graphically the game looks the same as Half Life 2...why hasn't Valve updated the Source Engine with the latest tech?...I'm not even talking about ray-tracing, graphics have come a long way since Valve released HL2: Episode 2 (tessellation, better ambient occlusion etc)
I haven't played this yet but from videos I've seen graphically the game looks the same as Half Life 2...why hasn't Valve updated the Source Engine with the latest tech?...I'm not even talking about ray-tracing, graphics have come a long way since Valve released HL2: Episode 2 (tessellation, better ambient occlusion etc)
I haven't played this yet but from videos I've seen graphically the game looks the same as Half Life 2...why hasn't Valve updated the Source Engine with the latest tech?...I'm not even talking about ray-tracing, graphics have come a long way since Valve released HL2: Episode 2 (tessellation, better ambient occlusion etc)
I haven't played this yet but from videos I've seen graphically the game looks the same as Half Life 2...why hasn't Valve updated the Source Engine with the latest tech?...I'm not even talking about ray-tracing, graphics have come a long way since Valve released HL2: Episode 2 (tessellation, better ambient occlusion etc)
Hilarious. Every post from you is simply to shit on this game with the most asinine takes. I honestly have no idea why you are posting in this thread. Wouldn't you rather discuss games you enjoy rather than one you obviously hate?
Im entirely convinced people who complain about the game being too easy used teleportation, I played it with smooth and the fights were really hard haha
Honestly the whole teleport/continuous dichotomy is a pain and a half to balance and I can't blame them for not getting it 100% right with their first big VR game.
I tried to limit my teleport use to basically make it function like the sprint function in other games.
There are sections that can become trivial with teleportation. You can basically use it to kite Antlions forever in open areas without taking any damage for example.
On the other hand there are sections that are a pain to do with continuous only.
Good luck avoiding the Strider's fire without teleport.
I hope they rethink their movement mechanics a bit next time around. Something like a short cooldown for the teleport ability may be a good idea or an option to sprint instead of teleport for continuous players.
just because someone asks a question that goes against your opinion on something is not called trolling...or even if someone has a different opinion on a game it's not trolling...I'm legitimately curious about the graphics...my friend has an Oculus Rift so I'm debating whether or not the $60 is a good investment
just because someone asks a question that goes against your opinion on something is not called trolling...or even if someone has a different opinion on a game it's not trolling...I'm legitimately curious about the graphics...my friend has an Oculus Rift so I'm debating whether or not the $60 is a good investment
just because someone asks a question that goes against your opinion on something is not called trolling...or even if someone has a different opinion on a game it's not trolling...I'm legitimately curious about the graphics...my friend has an Oculus Rift so I'm debating whether or not the $60 is a good investment
you're one of the few people in this thread who actually makes sensible posts about the game...others are letting their fanboyism over VR take over and don't want to say anything negative about the game...it's OK to criticize something even if you happen to like it a lot...I saw the Digital Foundry and Linus Tech Tips video where they stated that the graphics on Low vs Ultra is not that big of a jump...I think Linus mentioned that the graphics aren't that big of a leap from HL2: Episode 2 (or maybe he was referring to the overall artstyle)
There is no way a VR game can do rtx as of right now due to the high FPS (and resolution) requirements for VR. RTX would tank the framerate... which would be a big nono.
VR games have a natural advantage on immersion tho that is hard to notice when you dont play it (hint, maybe you should play it before doing armchair complains as everyone is telling you?) and even without that, HLA artstyle and geometry is very good.
you're one of the few people in this thread who actually makes sensible posts about the game...others are letting their fanboyism over VR take over and don't want to say anything negative about the game...it's OK to criticize something even if you happen to like it a lot...I saw the Digital Foundry and Linus Tech Tips video where they stated that the graphics on Low vs Ultra is not that big of a jump...I think Linus mentioned that the graphics aren't that big of a leap from HL2: Episode 2 (or maybe he was referring to the overall artstyle)
Have you seen the DF video? The guy is pretty positive in both artstyle and amount of stuff and shadows. The only cons he talks about is the difference wrt Boneworks in how physics are used (although noting he understands why Valve went a different way).
As a pointer, in chapter 7 alone, tehre are more "physic elements" than in all of Half Life 2.
Honestly the whole teleport/continuous dichotomy is a pain and a half to balance and I can't blame them for not getting it 100% right with their first big VR game.
I tried to limit my teleport use to basically make it function like the sprint function in other games.
There are sections that can become trivial with teleportation. You can basically use it to kite Antlions forever in open areas without taking any damage for example.
On the other hand there are sections that are a pain to do with continuous only.
Good luck avoiding the Strider's fire without teleport.
I hope they rethink their movement mechanics a bit next time around. Something like a short cooldown for the teleport ability may be a good idea or an option to sprint instead of teleport for continuous players.
you're one of the few people in this thread who actually makes sensible posts about the game...others are letting their fanboyism over VR take over and don't want to say anything negative about the game...it's OK to criticize something even if you happen to like it a lot...I saw the Digital Foundry and Linus Tech Tips video where they stated that the graphics on Low vs Ultra is not that big of a jump...I think Linus mentioned that the graphics aren't that big of a leap from HL2: Episode 2 (or maybe he was referring to the overall artstyle)
That's more because the game looks drop dead gorgeous even on low. For one thing, the game uses photogrammetry in many parts to achieve photo realism. There are many, many parts of the game that are just unbelievably gorgeous. I just can't really post any pictures of them or describe them because they are spoilers, and the only pictures most people can show are of the opening of the game which takes place in a concrete city that naturally doesn't look too mind blowing. But trust me, there is some crazy awesome visuals in this game, way waaaay beyond HL2.
you're one of the few people in this thread who actually makes sensible posts about the game...others are letting their fanboyism over VR take over and don't want to say anything negative about the game...it's OK to criticize something even if you happen to like it a lot...I saw the Digital Foundry and Linus Tech Tips video where they stated that the graphics on Low vs Ultra is not that big of a jump...I think Linus mentioned that the graphics aren't that big of a leap from HL2: Episode 2 (or maybe he was referring to the overall artstyle)
Have you read the thread at all? There's plenty of criticism going on in the posts right before yours. But saying things like HL Alyx looks exactly the same as HL2 isn't criticism, that's just plain trolling.
Have you read the thread at all? There's plenty of criticism going on in the posts right before yours. But saying things like HL Alyx looks exactly the same as HL2 isn't criticism, that's just plain trolling.
if you actually bother to read my posts instead of automatically getting all hostile you'll see that I stated where exactly I read the info...relax...I know you think VR is the greatest technological innovation ever...I'm looking for opinions from people that can be unbiased...and No I have not read all 3000 posts of this thread
if you actually bother to read my posts instead of automatically getting all hostile you'll see that I stated where exactly I read the info...relax...I know you think VR is the greatest technological innovation ever...I'm looking for opinions from people that can be unbiased
no I criticize Alyx for being too slow and enemies acting like it's 5AM and they just got up.
as well as locomotion being broken in some places, the link I posted clearly slows that you can drop yourself from lethal heights with locomotion where with teleportation you will die from the fall, as intended.
It seems more of a bug on that area than anything (as you can see Alyx clips through some stuff). I have fallen off of areas and died using natural locomotion.
I've never trolled this game or any game...if by me saying that Alyx is not going to push VR into the mainstream is considered trolling by your standards then I don't know what to tell you...VR is a niche market...that's a fact...deal with it...but within that niche Alyx seems like the best VR game to date...both things can be true...
if you actually bother to read my posts instead of automatically getting all hostile you'll see that I stated where exactly I read the info...relax...I know you think VR is the greatest technological innovation ever...I'm looking for opinions from people that can be unbiased...and No I have not read all 3000 posts of this thread
I mean, I'm glad you think I'm unbiased, I obviously think my opinions are well formed, but uh, I was a beta tester for the Steam Controller and Valve used me to help populate the steam controller configs prior to launch. At one point, they actually fully unlocked steam for me: every single item on steam was added to my account. Plus, I actually do think VR is the most significant technological advancement of... well not my lifetime, but definitely the last decade.
I don't really like the fall damage. It feels weird because of the movement options. If I teleport down a long distance I'm fine but if I accidentally push forward on the stick it's instant death. Feels weird.
Teleport also won't push you over a ledge (makes sense) but again if you use continuous motion and move too close it's instant death again. Feels kind of dissonant sometimes
He said that while noting he was basing the comparison on what he remembered Half-Life 2 to look like. That portion of the video has a comparison, and the difference in fidelity is night and day despite the camera movement and YouTube's signature compression:
Got to play for about an hour or so on my Rift. Hot damn the game looks GOOD and the atmosphere is great. I'm still very early on, but I'm enjoying pretty much the whole package. I showed it to a friend who at first had a bit of trouble with the whole item pick-up mechanic, but after some 5-10 mins he also got used to it.
Can't wait to get back to it later. I'm alternating this and Animal Crossing. What a combination...
He said that while noting he was going off memory. That portion of the video has a comparison, and the difference in fidelity is night and day despite the camera movement and YouTube's signature compression:
He said that while noting he was basing the comparison on what he remembered Half-Life 2 to look like. That portion of the video has a comparison, and the difference in fidelity is night and day despite the camera movement and YouTube's signature compression:
That's more because the game looks drop dead gorgeous even on low. For one thing, the game uses photogrammetry in many parts to achieve photo realism. There are many, many parts of the game that are just unbelievably gorgeous. I just can't really post any pictures of them or describe them because they are spoilers, and the only pictures most people can show are of the opening of the game which takes place in a concrete city that naturally doesn't look too mind blowing. But trust me, there is some crazy awesome visuals in this game, way waaaay beyond HL2.
You're damn right photogrammetry is unrivalled in terms of graphics. The VR immersion plus these environments = next gen experience. Early on in the game I had to grab a zombi with my hands, to help me go through a window. This felt reluctant as hell and no normal game can convey this. No 2D video can give this game justice.
Going to assume I am in the middle-ish of Chapter 5 now, the whole location is just incredible, but oh boy...I am glad I have managed to suppress my arachnophobia a touch.
Also, did anyone else hear the toilet flush at one point during an encounter? For such an intense few moments it made me chuckle.
I've never trolled this game or any game...if by me saying that Alyx is not going to push VR into the mainstream is considered trolling by your standards then I don't know what to tell you...VR is a niche market...that's a fact...deal with it...but within that niche Alyx seems like the best VR game to date...both things can be true...
If you want a very unbiased opinion, because i just finished both Alyx and Doom Eternal back to back (which I would say it's among best flat game i've ever played graphically):
Alyx model quality and texture solution is out of scale for videogames. I was constantly blown away just how hi-def everything is: you can slam most things in your face and they keep looking sharp and the lighting keeps being mostly credible. No kidding there: it's breathtakingly impressive even without the VR rose-tinged glasses. The game also has plenty of impressive vista and rock solid art direction.
As any game with lots of freely moving objects though, it needs badly to switch toward fully raytraced lighing. You notice it more on Alyx because almost everything can move, and almost everything fills your field of view with its size if you look directly at it or interact with it, the approximation of correct lighing will likely fail to produce a good result (as in any game without RT). So, if we allow a comparison apples to oranges, comparing Alyx to a game where nothing moves and almost everything can be prebaked, like Doom Eternal, then yeah, Alyx lighting model looks noticeably less consistant, and the game lighing feels more old fashioned.
It seems more of a bug on that area than anything (as you can see Alyx clips through some stuff). I have fallen off of areas and died using natural locomotion.
I don't remember dying once by walking off ledges from lethal height with continuous movement. Which was funny, using the jump function would show red skull and crossbones and an occasional quip from Alyx that such a jump would kill me and yet I could float down nice and gentle by just walking off.
Finished the game tonight. Was amazing and highly recommend.
A highlight: Too many to pick but I'll choose the whole Jeff chapter.
A lowlight: Not enough tense firefights. It was an amazing feeling coming out on top after a great battle. Just wish there was more of them. I'll replay on hard if / when I play again.
I don't remember dying once by walking off ledges from lethal height with continuous movement. Which was funny, using the jump function would show red skull and crossbones and an occasional quip from Alyx that such a jump would kill me and yet I could float down nice and gentle by just walking off.
Finished the game tonight. Was amazing and highlight recommend.
A highlight: Too many to pick but I'll choose the whole Jeff chapter.
A lowlight: Not enough tense firefights. It was an amazing feeling coming out on top after a great battle. Just wish there was more of them. I'll likely replay on hard if / when I play again.
I'm still really early (only in chapter 3 with all of the exploding barrels everywhere) but I'm liking this game a lot more now that I managed to get into a decent groove. I'm still maybe not as blown away as some people have been (though maybe it will come later), but I'm having fun which, after having trouble finding the right settings that didn't make me super sick, is an achievement in itself
Just got to the point where you get some grenades and the throw sensitivity serioiusly needs to be increased. If you try a gentle throw because you've got limited space and are worried about hitting something then it barely goes anywhere.
Also pretty shit that you can carry only one thing per wrist pouch, rather than being able to store multiple grenades in one and multiple syringes in the other.
Also pretty shit that you can carry only one thing per wrist pouch, rather than being able to store multiple grenades in one and multiple syringes in the other.
I don't remember dying once by walking off ledges from lethal height with continuous movement. Which was funny, using the jump function would show red skull and crossbones and an occasional quip from Alyx that such a jump would kill me and yet I could float down nice and gentle by just walking off.
Finished the game tonight. Was amazing and highly recommend.
A highlight: Too many to pick but I'll choose the whole Jeff chapter.
A lowlight: Not enough tense firefights. It was an amazing feeling coming out on top after a great battle. Just wish there was more of them. I'll replay on hard if / when I play again.
Yup, fall damage is definitely bugged to a point where there is none when you're just walking, but it's there when you try to teleport, I don't know how they managed to miss that...
Totally agree. I think it's a great game but it could be so much more. It is a refined VR experience, not a revolutionary one.
Unlike you though I am an action fan and to me HL2 is one of the best paced action games ever made. The sheer variety in situations and new gameplay mechanics every hour is incredible. This game is so so so so scaled down. I know it's "Alyx" so I shouldn't expect the full HL experience but still, they could have expanded more. So much of the game is just rooms and hallways.
Oh I'm definitely an action fan, I enjoy every genre of games lol, and I agree with your sentiment on HL2 (might not have been clear from my post but I LOVED HL2 for all of its parts).
I think part of my problem was high expectations, due to both:
1. My own hype about HL coming back after 13 years (this was gonna happen no matter what HL came back as)
2. The way the game was talked about/shown/describes prior (a lot of the VR gameplay footage released by Valve showed situations or interactions that often didn't matter or didn't work without significant effort. Also, "most story we've ever put in a HL game" was quite the exaggeration by one of the devs).
Am hyped for HL3 though seeing how we (once again) have a major cliff hanger!
Yo, I personally hated it but I think you might actually really enjoy Boneworks. It doesn't have much of a story but is basically all physics puzzles and there are headcrab like enemies that you can kill by bashing them into walls or using whatever is around. It's definitely a game for VR veterans.
To parrot you, even though this was possibly the greatest gaming experience I've ever had - there is certainly room to improve (similar to how I felt about BOTW) I hope the next half life is also in VR and next time around they expand on the physics interactions (make it so you can harm enemies with world objects and also be able to light matches, flick lighters, open books and binders etc).
After playing HLA I definitely plan on getting boneworks and Walking dead, especially now that I'm more used to continuous motion lol. I'm also excited that this release should reinvigorate VR as a platform, plus the release of the Hammer tool for people to make custom levels is really exciting!
As a VR experience I definitely think HLA is one of the best and most cohesive packages out there, but yeah, it could definitely be better both as a VR game and as a HL game.