PC Master Race Steam Frame

[Scouse]

So, this is out:

https://store.steampowered.com/hardware/steamframe

Comes with Half Life: Alyx free (which is fucking excellent).

But my thinking is this - after I finished HL:A on my Index, it pretty much went back in it's box. I know it was a faff, with base stations and cables - but I've got much more space now and could set it up sensibly and permanently - but I can't find a reason to.

The lack of a cable isn't going to change my thinking. It's the lack of quality experiences. It'd have to be HL:3 to tempt me to dig my old index back out - and I still can't see a compelling reason to buy this.

Anyone had a go?

 

[Ormorof]

I gather it’s basically a steam deck under the hood so should be far more stuff to play than just VR only games

 

[Overdriven]

1-2 hours of expected SOT unless you're streaming is a choice. Don't know who'll use it without being hooked into mains with a really long power cable - Or who'd use it for 1-2h at a time without a charge. So those issue are sort of immaterial in the real world (Omg I can't use it on a flight type people..)

I want one, but not for the price.

 

[Raven]

I have an occulous something or other, that lives in a cupboard too.

 

[Overdriven]

I have an occulous something or other, that lives in a cupboard too.

I don't need 120fps for Beat Saber so I won't update unless it become unplayable (And the weird shooter music one) - No other VR games interest me in the SLIGHTEST

 

[BloodOmen]

I found VR a bit overrated personally, maybe its just because I tried the PS5 version but it was proper boring.

 

[Scouse]

PS5 VR was shite and made me feel sick very quickly and that was down to FPS more than anything tbh.

Index at 120+fps was great. Made all the difference.

I hear native Alex is 32fps redone about 70 something on this new set? You can still stream from your PC, but that seems awful.

 

[MYstIC G]

So, this is out:

https://store.steampowered.com/hardware/steamframe

Comes with Half Life: Alyx free (which is fucking excellent).

But my thinking is this - after I finished HL:A on my Index, it pretty much went back in it's box. I know it was a faff, with base stations and cables - but I've got much more space now and could set it up sensibly and permanently - but I can't find a reason to.

The lack of a cable isn't going to change my thinking. It's the lack of quality experiences. It'd have to be HL:3 to tempt me to dig my old index back out - and I still can't see a compelling reason to buy this.

Anyone had a go?

I ordered one but it's in shipping limbo

 

[Scouse]

I ordered one but it's in shipping limbo

You played Alyx yet?

If not, your frustratiion at the wait will melt away.


Throw some empty beer bottles at the cat.

 

[MYstIC G]

You played Alyx yet?

If not, your frustratiion at the wait will melt away.


Throw some empty beer bottles at the cat.

Nope, Alyx is the main driver for placing an order. This would be the first foray into VR. I'm taking the punt as Valve has a batting average way better than other companies for delivering gaming experiences.

The Deck is great, the Machine is great (for me because I can't be arsed dropping lol cash on a GPU for a new rig and it just sits silently on a shelf next to the TV in the lounge), the Controller is great (though the original did suck). Before those the Steam Link was also great.

Hopefully they sort out the shipping issue

 

[MYstIC G]

So, to be fair to Valve, shipping issue sorted out and device arrived today. Their support was super helpful, even asking if I wanted to have it shipped to another address if I was worried it might disappear a second time.

As for the device itself, I never thought I would take to VR but I quite like the frame. I don't have any of the issues with controller sizing that are going around on reviews on the net though they are on the money about the spacer is going to be required more often than not and there is light bleed under the eyes as a result. The pass through is horrible but again, it's not for walking around in and it didn't make me feel disoriented like some have been saying.

Alyx is awesome, it's so atmospheric and the Half-Life monsters work really well in VR. The first time a Headcrab leapt out of nowhere was a pure "fuck, gerrit off me" moment. I've not gotten very far into it, I'm too slow on the controls when being attacked (weapon switching) and keep running out of ammo (because I've stupidly missed loads of items I can break open after hitting the first couple and nothing happening).

I think it's fair to say the frame will probably be more "now and then" than the deck or machine. They all integrate well together but there's definitely something about Forza streaming to the cinematic screen and the full immersion does help you be more in the game. It's also very clear why VR is just not going to be a thing any time soon, the frame is really easy but it's still unnecessary faff unless you really want to use it, the software just isn't there honestly Alyx is the only standout and I don't fancy "new & trending" titles like:

View: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4951590

and whilst I though I might give something like this a go:

View: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3954580/Star_Trek_Infection/

its reviews are really bad

 

[Scouse]

Alyx is awesome

It really is isn't it.

The ball scratch sim made me laugh. But then that's the thing for VR for me - Alyx set the bar. Everyone looked at it and went "fuck, we can't beat it" rather than using it as a jumping off point.

Either that or they think a gamble on a niche tech isn't worth it.

But Alyx is absolutely worth the cost of entry alone.

 

[MYstIC G]

It really is isn't it.

The ball scratch sim made me laugh. But then that's the thing for VR for me - Alyx set the bar. Everyone looked at it and went "fuck, we can't beat it" rather than using it as a jumping off point.

Either that or they think a gamble on a niche tech isn't worth it.

But Alyx is absolutely worth the cost of entry alone.

What's nuts to me about Alyx is it just feels the same as the other entries in the series, it doesn't feel out of place at all. Same "here's your pal" start, start a wandering "journey", and "oh, did you not see that coming" surprises.

I think you're right about the bar. I also think the movement is an issue for most genres that hasn't been solved at all. I had a go with a HL2 VR Mod and the walking without turning on jump points did start to make my head go "this is wrong, we're not moving"

View: https://store.steampowered.com/app/658920/HalfLife_2_VR_Mod/


Like I can't imagine running around in something like Doom using VR and it working in the same way that the original game did.

 

[caLLous]

I haven't touched my Index in years - the last time I tried I had no end of trouble getting the USB to work (it didn't feel very fucking universal at the time) so the sensors have been taken down and put away and I just can't be bothered to set it all up again tbh.

Alyx was great but driving games was where it was at for me. Chilled stuff like Euro Truck Simulator 2 (although the VR was pretty janky because it was an unofficial pet project of one of the devs) but Dirt Rally 2 stood out as being insanely good in VR with a wheel and pedals.

I always wanted to get it all back up and running when I was playing Subnautica because that strikes me as a prime example of a good VR experience but... effort.