When comparing Vector 36 vs Half-Life 2 (and episodes), the Slant community recommends Half-Life 2 (and episodes) for most people. In the question“What are the best Oculus Rift games?” Half-Life 2 (and episodes) is ranked 1st while Vector 36 is ranked 46th. The most important reason people chose Half-Life 2 (and episodes) is:
When Half Life 2 came out it set the bar super high for character animation that still rivals some games today.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Very satisfying feeling of control and speed
The driving behavior is completely physics-based, each change in components placement or input leads to the expected behavior. Skimming close to the surface gives you more lift, so you can afford to lean the ship forward for bigger acceleration. Angling your thrust vector smoothly while high speed drifting around corners is challenging and rewarding at the same time.
Pro Immersive VR cockpit
All important information is integrated into the physical cockpit, which closes around you at the start of each race. You can even get out of the cockpit and walk around your ship on the surface of Mars while waiting for repairs in VR roomscale just to get back in when it is ready to continue the race.
Pro Great Drum 'n' Bass soundtrack
Pro Amazing character animation
When Half Life 2 came out it set the bar super high for character animation that still rivals some games today.
Pro Guns are varied and interesting
Almost every gun is fun to shoot and is distinct. The crossbow is super awesome for it’s power and the gravity gun offers variety in puzzles and what you can shoot with. Want to hit someone with an explosive barrel? Pick it up and throw it with the gravity gun!
Pro Great Sci-Fi story
Aliens, portals to other dimensions, oppressive regimes, oh my! This game brings a great flavor of dystopian sci-fi as you fight part of the rebel cause to deliver justice with your Gravity Gun to the many species afflicted by the evil Combine. Also Half Life ties in somehow with the Portal series which makes it even more awesome.
Pro Commentaries
Hear from the creators about the making of Half Life 2 Ep1 and 2. Everything from level design to technical details are discussed. More developers need to use this.
Pro Very moddable
Entire games have been made from Half Life (such as Counter Strike) and the tradition continues with it’s sequel! In fact there’s a game essentially about making your own things made from a modded Half Life 2 and that game is called Garry’s Mod.
Cons
Con Clunky garage interface in VR
To finetune parts, like the flight controller, you have to move your head up/down or to the side, because otherwise the menu elements overlap.
Con No multiplayer yet
There is an online leader board, and ghost ships will come soon. But Multiplayer will only be added by the developer, when enough people are playing the game.