Half VR headset for Half-Life Alyx 2020 • iGamesNews.com

Valve returns to its most historic fight on March 23, 2020 with Hal-Life Alyx, but you'll need a VR headset to play the game when it comes out on PC. This page is designed to make choosing the best VR experience for Half-Life Alyx as easy as possible, giving you the information you need to find a headset that suits your needs at a reasonable price.

Just looking at all the options available can be difficult, especially if you're a newcomer to VR, with six SteamVR headsets that are fully compatible with Hal-Life Alyx. Here are six options, which do not include the first VR headsets that disappear commercially:

• Valve Index
• HTC Vive Pro
• HTC Vive cosmos
• Oculus Rift S
• Oculus Demand (w / Connect Cable)
• Windows integrated reality

With a variety of body designs, screens, tracking solutions and price points, there is a lot to discuss about each option. Thankfully, once you get to know a little bit about each of them you will be able to quickly get to your right. That makes choosing the best VR headset for Hal-Life Alyx more accurate – as long as you're equipped with our recommendations.

So: here's our guide to the best VR headsets for Half-Life Alyx, including the specs and features you need to know, as well as the best prices we've found for all headsets included.

First, let's take a look at the summary, presented in a simple table format:

For complete details, scroll in either click on headsets interested in learning more and see the best deals we received during the release of Hal Life Alyx!

Valve Index: Types, Specifications and Best Deals

2880×1600 LCD screen ● 130 ° distance ● 120-144Hz ● Channel tracking

The Valve Index is the best way to play Half-Life Alyx, as the game is started to take advantage of Index Index hardware. The 130-degree display has a combined resolution of 2880×1600 – with a lower resolution RGB processor that makes for a sharper image than standard AMOLED screens. The screen also has a very high refresh rate of 120 to 144Hz, making for a much simpler experience but requiring a changeable PC. The Index relies on basic channels to function, allows for excellent tracking but requires some setup, while Knuckle controllers are most available at the moment because of their digital tracking. The sound is solid too, and the built-in speakers provide easy and immersive experiences. All of this means that the Valve Index is and VR headset to get you Half-Life Alyx. Expect stock for this hairstyle to be hard to find, though this is one of the more expensive options.

HTC Vive Pro: Types, Specs and Best Deals

2880×1600 OLED screen ● 110 ° field of view ● 90Hz ● Channel tracking

The Vive Pro is another option for hi-fidelity, and the complete system can be easier to find online than the Valve & # 39; s Index. The AMOLED display is a light point, with a resolution of 2880×1600, and a refresh rate of 90Hz is also good. However, the 110-degree field of view is shorter than the Valve Index. Tracking is done using basic channels, which need to be set up but can provide more accurate tracking. Vive Pro controllers do not improve like those of the Vive cosmos or Valve Index, but it is possible to purchase Valve & # 39; s Index controllers separately (£ 259 / $ 279) to use with this program if you want each finger tracking.

HTC Vive cosmos: Types, Specifications and Best Deals

2880×1700 OLED screen ● 110 ° field of view ● 90Hz ● Internal tracking

The Vive Cosmos is another high-quality headset, and this one is more expensive than the Valve Index because it doesn't require external tracking channels. Cosmos is a much higher resolution than Vive Pro at 2880×1700 and hits the same 90Hz refresh rate. Headset uses internal tracking, so it doesn't require any channels to run, but the system can lose controllers if they are too close to you. While tracking is a step backwards in some ways, bodybuilding is much better than the previous Vive Pro, with the option of throwing away fossils – useful if you want to drink tea or make sure you don't kick it. your cat. The controllers here are great, despite the lack of top rods, but the Cosmos is fully compatible with Valve Index controllers (£ 259 / $ 279) if you want to upgrade.

Oculus Rift S: Types, Specifications and Best Deals

2560×1440 LCD screen ● 90% field of view ● 80Hz ● Internal tracking

The Oculus Rift S is a much more advanced computer theme from Oculus, and much cheaper than the HTC or Valve options. That makes it the ultimate VR headset for Half-Alyx. However, some headsets offer better screens, as the Rift S uses a single 2560×1440 LCD display running at 80Hz. The Rift S is effective when downloaded internally and works well, and the price includes the best touch controllers in the game, without lacking the other advanced Valve Index controllers options. Overall, the Rift S is an excellent budget system that doesn't offer much in terms of reliability, visibility or performance.

Oculus Demand: Types, Specifications and Best Deals

2880×1600 OLED screen ● 90 ° field of view ● 72Hz ● Internal tracking

The Oculus demand it is intended for hands-free, therefore compact storage, but can also be connected to a PC for use with games such as the Hal-Life Alyx with the official lightweight fiber optic Oculus Link Cable (£ 89 / $ 79) or some very high quality USB. -C cable (£ 7 / $ 19). The display is better than the Rift S, at 2880×1600, but as it is an OLED screen with the editing of the Pentile subpixel you missed some details. In addition, the 72Hz refresh rate is lower than the available options and connecting with USB means dealing with certain compression artefacts, which are most noticeable in dark scenes. Quest uses internal tracking, without the necessary basic channels, and tracking is much more reliable than its contemporaries. The Quest comes with two effective controllers in Half-Life Alyx, though they don't have many buttons or a single-finger Valve Index controller. In terms of comfort, the Quest is a bit smaller before, but this can be remedied by simple modifications. The audio is also not good, so you may want to use earphones. Overall, this is a good budget option if you can find it at a good price, despite the limitations.

Windows mixed reality: Types, Information and Best Deals

2880×1440 LCD screen ● 105 ° viewing area ● 90Hz ● Internal tracking

Finally, Windows integrated reality headsets are a cheap way to play Half-Life Alyx. These are available from many manufacturers, such as HP, Microsoft and Lenovo, and may vary slightly in their specifications. Usually, you can expect a resolution of 2880×1440, with a refresh rate of 90Hz – so good! Tracking is performed without channels at the base, and controllers are installed per head. Retail availability is a boon, but the Microsoft store often has headset reserved for very good prices. Currently, the best deal we have found is at the end of the Samsung Odyssey +, which is $ 230 for the American flagship store. The Odyssey + features a 2880×1600 AMOLED screen and 110 ° viewing field.

With that, we reach the end of the PC VR headset with all the high-end VR headset compatible with Half-Life Alyx. We'll keep this page up to date confirming that we recommend the best deals for these headers as they appear, so check back soon!

If you find HalfR Alyx compatible VR compatible for a better price than what we have listed here – or if you would like to know how these headsets are compared otherwise – please let us know in the comments below! Should we cover other options, such as the Pimax 5K or the first genulus of Oculus and Vive? Contact. We will also be looking for tweets @wsjudd either @digitalfoundry.

In the meantime, why not learn more about Half-Life Alyx in Eurogamer's articles? So far, we've covered our first look at Half-Life Alyx and why Half-Life Alyx is a special VR experience. You can also hear John & # 39; s Foundry of Digital and Alex talking about presenting the video form above.