Half-Life 2: Episode 2 was never meant to be the final chapter of the beloved shooter series. Originally, a third episode was planned, which would have taken us to the Arctic in search of the interdimensional, time-traveling Borealis following Eli Vance’s death at the hands of the Combine. This was to be followed by Arkane’s development of Return to Ravenholm. Valve was overflowing with ideas for the future of this universe, but then, everything fell silent.
Episode 3 was eventually scrapped in favor of Half-Life 3, but that project was also quietly abandoned. Years passed with no updates from Valve, leaving fans wondering about the fate of Gordon Freeman. Then, in 2020, the long silence was finally broken with the release of Half-Life: Alyx, a prequel set in City 17, following Alyx Vance just months before Gordon Freeman awakens from stasis
“Half-Life: Alyx showcases the incredible potential of VR, proving that triple-A, narrative-driven shooters can thrive in this immersive medium. However, after a 13-year wait, the decision to release the game exclusively on expensive and inaccessible VR technology understandably sparked controversy and alienated a significant portion of the fanbase. Fortunately, the dedicated Half-Life: Alyx NoVR team has been working hard to make this long-awaited comeback accessible to all players, ensuring that everyone can experience this remarkable game.”
“GB_2 launched the project after playing Half-Life: Alyx for the first time in early 2023, driven by a desire to make the game accessible to as many people as possible, especially those who can’t use VR,” explains project manager Anthony ‘Spider-Man-Dev’ Marrelli. “While some may eventually overcome limitations like limited space or financial constraints for full-body VR, those with health-related restrictions may never have that opportunity.”
“For many, the idea of removing Half-Life: Alyx from its VR roots feels like sacrilege. The game was designed to be experienced with a virtual reality headset, offering an unparalleled immersion into the oppressive Combine regime. However, as Marrelli points out, VR is an incredibly demanding medium that isn’t accessible to everyone. For fans who have waited over a decade for a new installment in a beloved series, only to find it locked behind VR, it can be deeply frustrating. This mod isn’t meant to replace the original experience but rather to make it accessible to those who would otherwise be left out.”
“Playing the game in ultra-wide on a high-resolution monitor at a blazing-fast framerate offers an entirely unique experience. If you have the option to play it in both VR and NoVR, I highly recommend trying both!”
“We will never claim that NoVR matches the experience of playing the game in VR—it simply can’t,” says Marrelli. “Valve designed Half-Life: Alyx specifically for VR, with every interaction crafted for that immersive medium. It’s truly a groundbreaking VR game that feels ahead of its time. While our team is committed to translating as much as possible to a flatscreen, the experience will never surpass what VR offers.”
“We launched NoVR to make Half-Life: Alyx accessible to even more fans around the world. The rest of us quickly joined, united by our shared love for Half-Life. Our team, which includes programmers, animators, community managers, and more, all share a deep passion for this iconic series.”
“I recall the intense moment when you’re fleeing from a Strider, battling Combine soldiers through multi-story parking garages. Unlike Gordon, you’re far more vulnerable without the protection of an overpowered exo-suit, forcing you to physically take cover, dodge attacks, and escape this towering three-legged behemoth. The challenge is maintaining that level of exhilaration without the physical immersion VR provides—how do you keep such a heart-pounding sequence just as thrilling on a flatscreen?”
“Marrelli acknowledges that NoVR won’t make you sweat like the VR experience does. However, the team has worked hard to maintain the gameplay parameters set by Valve, ensuring that the experience remains thoughtful and strategic, similar to the original VR version.”
“For instance, Alyx’s inventory remains unchanged in NoVR; you can still only carry one item per wrist pocket, and grenades cannot be stockpiled. These limitations force players to carefully consider when and how to use their limited resources. Additionally, Alyx is dressed in regular clothing rather than an HEV suit, resulting in lower health that can quickly diminish. Playtesting has shown that players continue to adopt careful strategies, using cover and thoughtfully managing items, closely mirroring the VR experience.”
Notes
“Marrelli mentioned that the team is eager to collaborate with Valve to potentially bring NoVR to Steam officially or explore other opportunities. Here’s hoping Gabe Newell takes notice and reaches out!”
“Another significant challenge for the NoVR team is working with Source 2, as Valve has yet to release the Software Development Kit (SDK) to the community. While Valve provided Steam Workshop tools for Half-Life: Alyx a few months after its release—primarily for modifying VR elements—these tools do not support modifications for flatscreen displays. For example, there’s no straightforward way to implement traditional 2D viewmodels, like the model of Alyx holding her gun, using these tools. In contrast, VR projects have more flexibility, as seen with games like Gunman Contracts, which features numerous custom weapon viewmodels.”
“With the release of Counter-Strike 2, the Source 2 Hammer editor became available, which is excellent for creating and editing Source 2 maps. However, it doesn’t address our needs for modifying code, creating custom menus, or developing model and animation pipelines necessary for Half-Life: Alyx NoVR. Additionally, we face the challenge of adapting gameplay designed for full-body VR interactions into a 2D flatscreen experience.”
“A significant advantage for the NoVR team was leveraging code from previous Half-Life titles. By incorporating elements from Half-Life 2 and Source 1, they established a framework within Half-Life: Alyx that supports comfortable 2D gameplay. ‘We’ve adapted the gunplay, movement, and locomotion systems from Half-Life 2 and Source 1 into Half-Life: Alyx and Source 2,’ says Marrelli. ‘As a result, despite making adjustments to enhance strategic and thoughtful gameplay, the controls and feel of the game remain very similar to Half-Life 2.'”
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“This approach benefits us in two key ways: it allows us to maximize the capabilities of the Source 2 engine in a 2D environment for Half-Life: Alyx, and it offers players a control scheme that feels both familiar and user-friendly.”
Notes
Here’s a refined version of your note:
“You can now play Half-Life: Alyx on your Steam Deck.”
“Against all odds, Half-Life: Alyx is now fully accessible without a VR headset, making the game more widely available than ever before. With leaks and rumors about a new Half-Life game, codenamed ‘HLX’ and ‘Project White Sands,’ gaining momentum, a project like NoVR is crucial for allowing players to catch up before Valve’s next entry. Fortunately, it seems we won’t have to wait another 13 years for this new release.”
“We want to extend our gratitude to all our fans who have supported us over the past year. We began this project in March 2023, and reaching the one-year mark recently has been a significant milestone. We’ve achieved a lot in this short time thanks to your support, positive feedback, and encouragement, which have provided us with the motivation and energy to keep going.”