Half-Life 2: Episode One is getting VR support soon, brought to you by the same team behind the recently released SteamVR fan mod for Half-Life 2.

Released in 2006, Half-Life 2: Episode One is the first in a series of games to reveal the aftermath of Half-Life 2 and launch a journey beyond City 17.

The standalone title is finally getting VR support on March 17th, courtesy of the SourceVR Mod Team, a group of VR enthusiasts who are unaffiliated with Valve.

Like the team’s Half-Life 2 VR Mod, which released for free on SteamVR headsets in September 2022, the VR mod brings the same possibility of playing Episode One in full room-scale VR with tracked motion controllers, allowing you to physically walk around, shoot weapons, pick up objects, climb ladders, etc.

And as you’d imagine, the Episode One mod is including the rash of VR-specific interactions first released in the HL2 VR, such as intuitive and realistic weapon handling, quick and easy weapon switching via a radial menu, over-the-shoulder ammo inventory, functional iron sights, two-handed weapons, and manual reloading. Like HL2 VR, there’s also set to be optional laser sights and an arcade style ‘quick reload’ option if realism isn’t your thing.

SEE ALSO
'Into Black' Showcases More 'Deep Rock Galactic' Vibes in New Trailer, Coming to Quest in October

SourceVR Mod Team says on their website that creating mods for both Episode One and Two required a separate build from the one used in the original HL2 VR mod due to “a few major issues that need to be resolved,” the group said in September. Ostensibly, the team has now solved those issues, rendering Episode One fully playable in VR.

In addition to downloading the VR mod on Steam for free, you’ll need to own copy of Half-Life 2: Episode One to play. You’ll be able to find it in a variety of cost-effective bundles on Steam. While you’re at it, make sure to nab Episode Two to get a jumpstart on things before the team releases VR support in the near future.

Newsletter graphic

This article may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and buy a product we may receive a small commission which helps support the publication. More information.


Well before the first modern XR products hit the market, Scott recognized the potential of the technology and set out to understand and document its growth. He has been professionally reporting on the space for nearly a decade as Editor at Road to VR, authoring more than 4,000 articles on the topic. Scott brings that seasoned insight to his reporting from major industry events across the globe.
  • Gonzax

    Wonderful! HL2 VR was incredible, I can’t wait to put my hands on EP.1 and 2 again, this time in VR.

  • ViRGiN

    And with this one simple move, modders proved once again that valve don’t care about vr

    • NotMikeD

      “Valve Developers HATE this ONE simple trick!”

      • ViRGiN

        You will never believe WHAT HAPPENS next!

  • Tommy

    Speaking of awesome mods, the Praydog VR Injector already has Hogwarts Legacy working. Check out the YouTube video from Flat2VR. It looks amazing

  • The Thin White Duke

    Better than any vr release so far

  • lolmao500

    I wonder which game they gonna do next… Dishonored would be cool