Last updated: November 6th, 2022
- Preamble
- Installation
- Updating
- Included Mods
- Other Recommended Mods
- Recommended Modding Tools
- Compatibility Notes
- Changelog
- Credits
Half-Life 2 has gained a massive library of incredible mods over the years. Keeping track of the best HL2 mods can be cumbersome as everything is mostly scattered across Gamebanana, ModDB, and Gmod Workshop. There are arguably no great all-one-one HL2 texture mods for retexturing the entire game, as most texture mods are either not comprehensive or make contentious changes to the game's original artstyle.
I have made an attempt to greatly simplify Half-Life 2 VR's modding process by creating a standalone copy of Mod Organizer 2 which is preconfigured with the most essential mods for improving immersion in Half-Life 2 VR. Great care was taken in selecting the best and most "VR friendly" models and textures with an appropriate load order across a wide variety of different texture mods. All credit for the mods included in this modpack goes to the original mod authors.
This modpack is also pre-configured with VR support for Lost Coast, Year Long Alarm, MINERVA: Metastasis, and Nightmare House Remake. These campaigns are fully playable in VR without their DLL files. If you experience any problems with this mod pack, please submit a bug report so I can continue to improve this mod list!
New Updates
- Custom fixes to prevent "Too many indices for index buffer" crashes.
- Removed unstable mods to fix crashes, AI errors, and load zone issues in "We Don't Go To Ravenholm..." and "Follow Freeman".
- Fixed missing sound effects.
- Fixed the incorrect Steam App ID in Mod Organizer 2.
- Fixed the main menu for Nightmare House and MINERVA.
- Removed duplicate MINERVA textures to significantly reduce the filesize of the mod pack.
- Added support for Lost Coast and Year Long Alarm.
- Enabled experimental immersive doors feature and disabled Bloom in the config file.
- Added additional texture mods.
- Added optional HD Alyx style zombie mods. Disabled by default as these mods change the artstyle from the original vanilla models.
🔸 If the download links below fail to download in your Web browser, please use Internet Download Manager or JDownloader2 which are confirmed to work fine.
- Download HLVR_MO2_Repack_v1.05.rar and extract Mod Organizer 2 to a folder of your choice outside of "Users" or "Program Files". It's best to extract the folder near the root level of your drive i.e. C:\Games\HL2VR
- Download EP1+2 Assets.rar and extract the contents to your \Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life 2 VR folder. (This adds episodic assets to your HL2VR folder. This will NOT allow you to play the episodes, but it will allow you to play Minerva, Nightmare House Remake, and Year Long Alarm which all use Episode 1+2 models and textures. You can skip this step if you only wish to play the main campaign.)
- Navigate to where you extracted HLVR_MO2_Repack_v1.05.rar and run ModOrganizer.exe
- If you installed Half-Life 2 VR on a drive other than the C drive, please perform the following steps in Mod Organizer 2:
Navigate to "Tools > Settings > Paths" and set the "Managed Game" path to your location for "hl2vr.exe".
Navigate to "Tools > Executables" and select "Half-Life 2 VR":
» Set the "Binary" field to your location for "hl2vr.exe".
» Set the "Start in" field to your location for the "Half-Life 2 VR" folder.
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Select "Half-Life 2 VR" in the upper right drop down bar.
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Select "Run" in the upper right corner of Mod Organizer 2 to launch Half-Life 2 VR with the mods included in this modpack.
» Leave all custom campaign related mods unticked to play the main Half-Life 2 campaign.
» To play a custom campaign, enable all mods for the specific campaign you wish to play.
» Enable HD zombie mods under "Optional Texture Mods" to enable Alyx style zombies. Disabled by default.
» Untick "No Bloom" to enable Bloom.
When using Mod Organizer 2, saved games are stored in MO2's \overwrite\save folder and will not be synced with Steam Cloud. Make sure to back up your saves before removing or updating the mod pack.
With Mod Organizer 2, you can set custom commands to run at startup by placing them in: \Your Mod Organizer 2 Folder\mods\Config File\cfg\autoexec.cfg (Do not place settings in the autoexec.cfg in your Steam folder as this file is not used by MO2.)
I would highly recommend using the zDak Total Texture Pack along with my Repack. It improves lots of materials and models not covered by this Repack and greatly improves immersion in VR. To use the zDak pack, follow these steps:
- Download the zDak Total Textures Pack v5.7 from ModDB.
- Extract the VPK files from the zDak pack.
- Open 'zDak Total Textures Pack v5.7_dir.vpk' in GCFScape and unpack the VPK files.
- Place the extracted "materials", "models", and "sounds" folders in a new folder i.e. "zDak Total Textures Pack" and move this folder to \Your Mod Organizer 2 folder\mods
- Optionally remove the following files from the zDak pack as the vanilla textures look better in VR: decal_policeline01a.* and traincar_bars*.*
- Launch MO2. Drag and drop the zDak pack BELOW custom campaign mods and ABOVE any other texture packs/mods in the left window pane. It should typically be placed above the HL2 HD Enhancement Project. This gives existing texture mods in the mod list the highest priority. They will continue to work normally and the zDak pack will retexture anything (in both Half-Life 2 and custom campaigns) not covered by the Repack.
Half-Life 2 mods are not supported by tools like Wabbajack which means there is no easy way to update mod lists for Half-Life 2. If you wish to update the mod pack, you will need to delete your existing installation and then redownload the latest mod pack. If you do not wish to redownload the entire mod pack, you can manually perform recommended changes to the mod list which are listed in the Changelog.
- When updating the mod pack, it is recommended to start a clean saved game. Once you start a new campaign, you can find the map you are currently on at the wiki and restart from there through the console via:
map map_name
- You can always attempt to use pre-existing saved games when updating the mod pack, but you may run into bugs. One common issue is the "AI disabled" error. If you run into this problem, open the console and enter the following commands:
ai_norebuildgraph 1
ai_resume
and then reload your saved game.
If you wish to install Lost Coast manually without using this Repack, perform the following steps:
- Download Lost Coast from Steam and install it as a regular mod.
- Remove "scripts\hudanimations.txt", "resource\gamemenu.res", and "gameinfo.txt"
If you wish to install Nightmare House 1 manually without using this Repack, perform the following steps:
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Download Nixel's Gmod Workshop version of Nightmare House. Decompress it with Gmad and install it as a regular mod.
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Download Nightmare House 2 and merge its "materials" and "models" folders with Nightmare House.
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Copy Episode 1+2 to \Half-Life 2 VR\ and decompress all VPKs with GCFScape.
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Replace "gameinfo.txt" with "hlvr\gameinfo.txt". Then add the following lines under "//HL2 Content":
game+mod episodic/ep1_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod episodic/ep1_pak.vpk game+mod ep2/ep2_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod ep2/ep2_pak.vpk game+mod lostcoast/lostcoast_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod lostcoast/lostcoast_pak.vpk -
Remove the "bin" folders from Nightmare House and Episodes 1+2.
If you wish to install MINERVA manually without using this Repack, perform the following steps:
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Download MINERVA from Steam and install it as a regular mod.
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Copy Episode 1+2 to \Half-Life 2 VR\ and decompress all VPKs with GCFScape.
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Replace "gameinfo.txt" with "hlvr\gameinfo.txt". Then add the following lines under "//HL2 Content":
game+mod episodic/ep1_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod episodic/ep1_pak.vpk game+mod ep2/ep2_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod ep2/ep2_pak.vpk game+mod lostcoast/lostcoast_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod lostcoast/lostcoast_pak.vpk -
Remove the "bin" folders from MINERVA and Episodes 1+2.
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Remove GameMenu.res
- Custom patched ClientScheme.res and titles.txt to allow for HUD messages to display properly in VR.
If you wish to install Year Long Alarm manually without using this Repack, perform the following steps:
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Download Year Long Alarm from Steam and install it as a regular mod.
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Copy Episode 1+2 to \Half-Life 2 VR\ and decompress all VPKs with GCFScape.
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Replace "gameinfo.txt" with "hlvr\gameinfo.txt". Then add the following lines under "//HL2 Content":
game+mod episodic/ep1_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod episodic/ep1_pak.vpk game+mod ep2/ep2_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod ep2/ep2_pak.vpk game+mod lostcoast/lostcoast_sound_vo_english.vpk game+mod lostcoast/lostcoast_pak.vpk -
Remove the "bin" folder from Year Long Alarm and Episodes 1+2.
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Remove "resource\GameMenu.res"
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Replace "resource\ClientScheme.res" with "\hlvr\resource\ClientScheme.res". Then replace the "CustomFontFiles" section with the following code to fix the main menu logo:
"1" "resource/HALFLIFE2.ttf" "2" "resource/HL2crosshairs.ttf" -
Remove "scripts\vgui_screens.txt" and "scripts\weapon*.*"
Half Life 2 HD Enhancement Project
- Swapped main menu concrete textures (concretefloor037b) and stone wall textures (stonewall050f.*, stonewall050k.*, stonewall051a.*, stonewall051a_normal.*, stonewall051b.*, stonewall051c.*) with better versions from zDak Total Textures Pack v5.7. If the zDak Total Textures Pack is already installed, these textures can simply be deleted from HEP to save space.
- Added zDak stone wall prerequisite textures (\FF_Detail\plaster_detail_04.vtf, \FF_Detail\noise_detail_01.vtf, \FF_Detail\gmetal_grey.vtf). Not necessary if the zDak Total Textures Pack is already installed.
Cinematic Mod 2013 - Lab Props Only
- Used only \models\props_lab\generatorconsoff.*, \models\props_lab\generatorconsole.*, "ff_models", and "ff_props".
[Half Life Alyx] Scanner (Replacement)
MORE COULOURS - Half-Life Alyx Valve
2004 Blood Particles Recreation
2004 Water Particles Recreation
- Added "$nodecal 1" to VMT files to prevent engine errors.
CSGO Large Dumpster Replacement
- Downscaled to 2048px to prevent engine errors.
Half Life Alyx Alcohol Bottles
Half Life Alyx Cargo Containers
Half Life Alyx Cars and Combine Traincar
- Removed "car002a.dx90.vtx" to prevent crashes to the desktop.
Half Life Alyx Combine Consoles + Generator
Half Life Alyx Trainstation Benches
Half-Life 2 Propane Canisters - Remake
Half-Life 2 Remade Assets (Citizen Radio)
Half-Life 2 Remade Assets (Combine Interface)
Half-Life 2 Remade Assets (Razor Train)
Half-Life 2 Remade Assets (Suit Charger)
Half-Life 2 Remade Assets (Washing Machine)
Half-Life 2 Remade Assets DE Source 1 Port - Suitcase Junk Doll Vending Only
- Used only "suitcase", "doll01", "vendingmachinesoda01a", and "props_junk".
Half-Life Alyx Car Battery Replacement
Extra-Detailed DrBreens Water Set - Blue Popcan
Half-Life Alyx Repaired HEV Suit
- Removed "models\items\battery.*" to prevent conflict with better version from "Item Revamp Pack".
- Used only "NEXTGEN_MATERIALS" along with "metal" textures from \materials\Detail, \materials\models\props_c17.
HD Remake Barrels (Old Version)
HL Alyx Watermelon [REPLACEMENT]
- Added "$nodecal 1" to VMT files to prevent engine errors.
Half-Life Alyx Assets in Half-Life 2
HLA Props Pack - Shoe Bottles Only
- Used only shoe*.* and *bottle*.* files.
HLA-L4D1 Flashlight Replacement
Intro Test Chamber Replacement
Item Revamp Pack - Battery Only
- Used only "battery01". Removed conflicting "battery" model from HD ITEMS.
- Used custom modded crate textures with City 17 decals removed. Original mod available HERE.
Munancho INC's Improved Ammo Crates
Raising The Bar Redux Ceiling Turret Reskin
REMASTERED! Half-Life Alyx Combine Prisoner Pods
Vanilla Style Half-Life Alyx Health Charger
Half-Life Alyx Zombie Replacement 2 FIX
[Half Life Alyx] Classic Headcrab (Replacement)
Half-Life Alyx Poison Headcrab in Half-Life 2
- HL2 VR - Comic Book Mod: Beautiful Borderlands style texture mod!
- zDak Total Textures Pack: A very nice and comprehensive texture mod which looks beautiful in VR. Not included in this modpack due to its large filesize.
- Mod Organizer 2 Plugin for Half-Life 2 VR: Allows for Skyrim style modding with Mod Organizer 2. Removes the complexity of managing load order from "custom" folders.
- GCFScape: Used for decompressing VPK files.
- Gmad - Easy Addon Extractor: Used for decompressing Garry's Mod addons.
- ❌Black Mesa Source: Incompatible. Maps work in VR but NPCs do not load.
- ❌Black Mesa: Incompatible. Crashes to the desktop.
- ❌Research and Development: Incompatible. Mr. Whirly does not work.
- ❌Entopy Zero: Incompatible. Frequent crashes to the desktop.
- ❌HL2 MMod Improved Sounds: Incompatible. Broken sounds.
- ✔️Cinematic Mod 2013: Compatible. Minor graphical glitches with reflections in the train station and Dr. Breen's office.
- ✔️Lost Coast: Compatible.
- ✔️Nightmare House Remake: Compatible.
- ✔️Minerva: Metastasis: Compatible.
- ✔️Year Long Alarm: Compatible.
- ✔️Too Many Crates: Compatible.
- ✔️Nightmare Church: Compatible.
- ✔️Silent Hill Alchemilla Demo: Compatible.
- ❔ Silent Hill Alchemilla Full Version: Untested. All maps load fine but may contain game breaking bugs.
See Changelog
All credit for this mod pack goes to the following original creators:
[Jay], [SU]- Zen, Eevah, A-06, A-Shift, Adam "Cargo Cult" Foster, Ahri Lover, Banahezzer, BazookaTooth, Benedict_Kapustin42, Boromir Artementaller, Chuck Wilson, CondiRoks, CrazyHairGuy, cubicApocalypse, Dead-Inside, DetonatedStorm, DrGordonFreeman96, Dynamic_, E1TUX, EddsNotDedd, Ellie, Empower1, Fakefactory, Foxidimi, GameSpy, General Ecchi, H3000, HL2MMod Team, Iiopn, Iretuerye, Isomeric Gamer, J.Barnes, Jeremiexp, Jerson Gaming, Jofoyo, jQueary, kalimando, MARK2580, Mbbote, MidnightDragons, Mine60000, MrBrightside, Munancho INC., MYSTIC, Nixel, nubblecakes, QueenPlague_Cure, Red Menace, Reverend V92, SamMaddie, Shadow_RUN, Sierra Foxtrot, Spoono, Stan_Jacobs, The Half-Life 2: Remade Assets Team (Retro Boy, Kube, MDDBULLDOGG, Exeros, hELLO, LVJohnFreeman, E Borge), themanclaw, TwoTime, TwoTime, Volkolak, Vort95, We Create Stuff, whynotll83, Wolfcl0ck, Wood_y, zDaken50, Zekeakers1.