Valve has recently returned to the gaming industry with a huge boom announcing the VR version of the Half-Life Alyx game and here, we have the best headsets to play the game.
As one of the most anticipated and well-received games of all time, Half-Life has returned with a much more thrilling and more immersive experience than it has ever been.
For the game Half-Life Alyx, you will need a VR headset to play and with so many to choose from, you might be a little baffled and overwhelmed by the choices that are offered.
So in this post, we take some of that load off your shoulders as we have listed down the best choices that you have for playing this amazing game. These headsets are also not that expensive.
We have considered the value that you are going to put when investing in a headset. So we chose the ones with the best features and specs so that you can get the best headset for your budget.
See, the video game industry is quickly rising and improving and it will not be long until all games have a VR version. So selecting the best VR headset for Half-Life Alyx will be important in the future.
Take note that the game is a VR exclusive game just like most games. So when you buy a VR headset, you can still use it in other video games that you love.
The headsets that we have selected to put on the list are not in any particular order. But as you go along and see the details on each one, you will have an easier choosing process.
So here are our top picks for the Best Headsets for Half-Life Alyx!
Table of Contents
1. Valve Index
Although we have mentioned that the list is not in any ranking, we figured that we should put the best option first on the list. That is the powerful Valve Index VR headset because of some special features.
First off, the controllers of the Valve Index come with a super sensitive touch that can track the individual movements of the fingers and Half-Life Alyx capitalizes on that.
The display also benefits the user when they play the game with this headset. The Valve Index has a 130-degree display that uses the RGB subpixel arrangement instead of AMOLED Pentile.
This display accentuates the details on Half-Life Alyx better than most VR headsets. It also has 2880 by 1600 resolution which is responsible for creating sharper images when playing.
Since the game has been released recently, you will find some glitches when you use low-quality headsets or poor PC processors. However, the Valve Index puts the display so easily.
This headset has one of the highest refresh rates in the VR world. Topping a screen refresh rate of 144Hz, you can be sure that the game will run smoothly with any movement that you make.
Because the Valve Index relies on stations to operate, it has a better tracking system for a more accurate display on the headset. The built-in audio system also helps the headset be more immersive.
With that being said, all these top-of-the-line features that the Valve Index has requires a much more powerful PC. So you will need a rig that can handle all the game and the headset’s requirements.
2. Oculus Quest
One of the oldest VR headsets on the market, the Oculus Quest still provides an immersive experience when you play Half-Life Alyx in it. Although it requires a little bit of adjustment.
The Oculus Quest works best with Half-Life Alyx if it is connected to a PC. That means that you are going to need to connect it with the Oculus Link to get the most immersive experience with the game.
With the same resolution as the Valve Index at 2880 by 1600, the Oculus Quest can clearly place the display on the screen with as much detail as most VR headsets can.
It uses an OLED Pentile subpixel arrangement so you can still see most of the details in the game. It also works when you connect it with a PC even without the cables.
The downside is that the Oculus Quest has one of the lowest refresh rates on this list. It only has a 72Hz refresh rate which is a bit low for this action-packed game.
However, it improves your movement since it uses inside-out tracking. The tracking system installed in the Oculus Quest is one of the most accurate ones in the industry.
That is why every move you make in the game will still be as immersive as most headsets can provide. The Oculus Quest controllers also work well with Half-Life Alux even without the finger tracking.
The Oculus Quest also has a built-in audio system but we found out that it is more immersive if you use other headphones.
Since it has audio jacks on both sides of the front plate, you can position it in the most comfortable way. This will still give you the freedom of movement when you are in-game.
3. HTC Vive Pro
This headset is also one of the high-fidelity options that you can get. In fact, you can find the full system online easier than that of the others on the list.
The Vive Pro uses an AMOLED screen display which is good. But unlike the RGB display, it misses some of the details especially on the edges of the display and on some dark spots.
Combining the 110-degree field of view and 2880 by 1600 display is a great way to play Half-Life Alyx. it gives you a view of the game with a wide perspective and a clear point of view.
The Vive Pro also has a 90Hz refresh rate which is good enough. This refresh rate can go higher with the other models but it is enough to prevent glitches and lags on the game.
The controllers require base stations for tracking. So you will have to set up the stations fro tracking and although it takes time, it will all be worth it as this system is more accurate.
The Vive Pro controllers are not the best options but the headset is compatible with most controllers. So if you want, you can buy separate controllers such as the Vive Cosmos’ or the Valve Index controllers.
The Vive Pro has a nice audio system that makes the game even more immersive. It has large casings that fit on the ear and can be adjusted to the most comfortable position.
Although it has some issues, the HTC Vive Pro is still a strong option as it has a very high resolution, a good refresh rate, and an impressive audio system that makes playing the game better.
4. Oculus Rift S
The Oculus Rift S is one of the most budget-friendly headsets available. It is cheaper than the options that HTC and Valve produce and it is without a doubt, also one of the best.
It is considered as the best PC-centric VR headset from Oculus. The Rift S is a powerful headset with capabilities that will allow you to play Half-Life Alyx at the highest level.
The Rift S has a display resolution of 2560 by 1440 and uses an LCD display to create the images in the game. It is considered a low resolution compared to the others but it still does great.
It also has a lower refresh rate of 80Hz but it can certainly play along with the specs that the game requires. It alsoincludes a 90-degree field of view for a wide range of displays.
The Oculus Rift S has a powerful inside out tracking so you would not need to worry about long periods of time setting up bases for the tracking system.
This inside-out tracking system from the Rift S is considered as one of the most accurate inside-out tracking systems which are perfect for when you need to move in the game.
Although it lacks the Index’s finger tracking system, the Rift S has a nice pair of controllers that use touch controls for an accurate and excellent movement in-game.
The audio system of the Rift S is also great. You can hear everything that you need to hear in the game to keep you alert and aware of your environment in-game.
The Rift S also does not cost much so it is a great budget VR headset where you can play Half-Life Alyx without sacrificing the visuals and the immersive experience of the game.
5. HTC Vive Cosmos
The Vive Cosmos is a VR headset that incorporates a very high-resolution display. It has an LCD display that can emit 2880 by 1700 resolution for maximum details.
Since the switch of the Vive Cosmos from AMOLED to LCD, HTC headsets have been using the same display for maximum resolution where you can see the finest of details.
The Vive Cosmos also uses inside-out tracking so there is no need to set up those base tracking stations. The inside-out tracking system of the Vive Cosmos is not the most accurate, though.
The Vive Pro is considerably more accurate when it comes to tracking. Nonetheless, the tracking system of the Vive Cosmos blends just fine with Half-Life Alyx.
The tracking system of the Vive Cosmos relies so much on light for tracking the controllers. So if you want to play the game at its best, then make sure that the room you are playing in is well-lit.
It also has a 110-degree field of view and a 90HZ refresh rate so you can be sure that you will see all the fine details and movements in the game with a wide point of view.
The design of the Vive Cosmos also helps in keeping you aware of your surroundings. You have the option to flip up the goggles so you can see the real world in an instant without removing the headset.
Honorable Mentions
1. Windows Mixed Reality (Samsung Odyssey)
Windows Mixed Reality VR headset is available in many manufacturers and is considered as one of the cheapest headsets available to play Half-Life Alyx on.
It has a nice resolution of 2880 by 1440 and uses an LCD for the display. This means that you will see the fine details of the game with accuracy.
It also has a refresh rate of 90Hz which is a fast refresh rate considering its price. It uses inside-out tracking with the controllers having their own lights for tracking purposes.
The controllers are pretty simple and you might want something more detailed but it is good, nonetheless. The audio system is also perfect for Half-Life Alyx as it produces great bass for a built-in stereo.
2. HP Reverb
This is another headset from Windows Mixed Reality VR headsets and can be used to play Half-Life Alyx. It is a headset made in collaboration with Valve.
Valve produced the lenses and the audio system so it has the most amazing display resolution of 4320 by 2160 using an LCD screen. This is the highest resolution out of all the headsets on the list.
With an excellent display, it sometimes has a hard time moving along with only a 90Hz refresh rate. However, it is good enough and you can still play Half-Life Alyx relatively smoothly.
It has a built-in audio system and an inside-out tracking system. The controllers were also updated and the trackpad was replaced with two buttons that resemble the Oculus Rift controllers.
Conclusion
Half-Life Alyx is one of the best games that were recently released and it is only right that you pair it with the best VR headset that you can find.
The ones listed above should narrow down your choices. All of these headsets have amazing features of their own and can play the game smoothly.
Some might be better than the others but you should also consider the budget that you have. As you can see, there are options that are cheaper than the others.
So if you want to play the game right now, you can go and look for the best headset that you prefer and start setting up the game for a fully immersive experience.
This game is only the start of the gaming industry switching to virtual reality so invest in the best VR headset that you like from the list so you can continue playing other games in the future!
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