I have seen a lot of people argue you must use a 45W output power bank, probably because it’s the charger output Valve recommends for continuous play.
I have yet to pass 30W during play (admittedly I play with 100℅ brightness, not 120%). It will charge at a miserably slow rate, but if I start a session at full battery, I also end the session with a full battery.
If you own a 30W power bank already, it is not some strict requirement to upgrade it for the frame, just make sure to use the right output port.
How is the VR mod?
I was about to start alyx for the first time, and realized I never finished HL 2.
Should I do it in VR?
It almost feels like the game is native vr. The only awkward thing is that you need to use a controller button for opening doors and such.
Whether you should play depends on your vr legs. Alyx is definitely a more beginner friendly experience, while half life 2 vr is way more fast paced.
Hmm, I’m very new to VR. The frame is my first VR.
I’m worried about spoiling myself playing Alyx first
I think you’ll be fine as long as you know going in that Alyx is a bit of a rarity. Have you ever played a really good AAA game and still found a simpler, older, indie title fun afterward? It’s like that. Even after playing Alyx myself, there’s a lot of much simpler VR experiences I still enjoy, even some of the jankier mods and such.
That’s fair, that makes sense. I appreciate that insight.
What about the storyline? If I play alyx before hl2 will I regret it?
Oh, if you’re not caught up on the previous games, I do think you’ll be losing out quite a bit playing Alyx first. Trying to avoid spoiling too much, Alyx’s story connects back to them in a way that feels pretty huge if you’ve played them and a way that I think might feel a bit nonsensical and emotionally empty if you haven’t. Then again, I seem to care more about story, world-building, etc. than most, so others might disagree.
When Alyx originally came out for the Index, I was in a similar position having played no Half Life games, so I decided to play them first to get up to speed. I don’t regret setting aside all that time since they’re all fantastic games in their own right and made the Alyx experience even better.
In case you want to follow along, I played just enough Half Life 1 to get a feel for it in light of its historical significance, but then I continued with the very good, more modern fan remake, Black Mesa. Then came Half Life 2 (non-VR), then Half Life 2 Episode 1, and Half Life 2 Episode 2. These last two are continuations of the main story, so don’t skip them. I mention that because I remember thinking something else originally due to their names.
I actually haven’t played the VR version of HL2 yet, but I would save that for a later replay. VR naturally makes things more intense, so Alyx slowed its pacing to compensate, and HL2 dialing it back up makes it a natural followup gameplay-wise.
Thanks! I’ll play through hl2 first then.
Hl2, ep1, and ep2 are all in the same game now on steam I understand? Valve combined them I think?
Yes, that looks to be the case. I seem to remember needing to be deliberate about seeking them out to play them, but I guess my brain made that up. Lol.