Yes—but Half-Life: Alyx does not run on a Quest headset by itself. It is a PC VR game: a Windows gaming PC runs the game and SteamVR, while your Quest connects to the PC as the headset, display, and controller system. You can connect with wired Meta Link or use a supported wireless route such as Steam Link.
What you need to play
Valve lists Half-Life: Alyx as VR-only and says a VR headset is required. Its Steam listing also specifies SteamVR and these minimum Windows PC requirements:
- 64-bit Windows 10
- Intel Core i5-7500 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 processor
- 12 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580 graphics card with 6 GB VRAM
- SteamVR
These are Valve’s published minimums, not a guarantee of a particular frame rate or image quality. Check the [Valve Steam listing](https://store.steampowered.com/app/546560/HalfLife_Alyx/) against your PC before troubleshooting the Quest connection.
Choose how to connect the Quest to your PC
| Option | Connection | PC software or network requirement | Quest models named in the cited documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Link, wired | USB-C data cable | Meta PC connection software; connect to SteamVR to play | Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro |
| Steam Link | Wireless streaming | Steam and SteamVR on the PC; 5 GHz router channel and Wi-Fi 5 minimum | Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest Pro |
| Meta Link / Air Link | Wireless networking | Meta PC connection software; the cited Meta material does not establish a universal network baseline | Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, Quest Pro |
Model lists are specific to each connection product. Meta’s Link documentation includes Quest 3S, but Valve’s Steam Link page does not name it; do not assume Steam Link compatibility for Quest 3S based on Meta Link support alone. Check the current Steam Link app listing for your headset.
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Set up wired Meta Link
- Install Meta’s PC connection software on the Windows gaming PC and make sure Steam and SteamVR are installed.
- Connect the Quest to the PC with a compatible USB-C data cable. Meta developer hardware guidance recommends cable capability of 5 GB/s or higher; this is a recommendation in developer-oriented guidance, not a guarantee that every such cable will work with every PC.
- Complete the connection using Meta’s current consumer setup instructions, then open SteamVR on the PC.
- Start Half-Life: Alyx from Steam and play through the connected Quest.
A compatible USB-C data cable is needed for the wired route; Meta’s branded cable is not established as a requirement. Check that the cable supports data, is long enough for your play area, and matches an available port on your PC. See [Meta’s Link hardware guidance](https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/native/pc/dg-hardware-setup/).
Set up wireless Steam Link
- Install Steam and SteamVR on the Windows PC that will run the game.
- Install Steam Link on a Quest model named on [Valve’s Steam Link support page](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/7112-CD02-7B57-59F8).
- Connect the PC and headset using Steam Link’s on-screen flow. Valve specifies a router using a 5 GHz channel and Wi-Fi 5 at minimum.
- Launch Half-Life: Alyx from the Steam library through the connected SteamVR setup.
Valve describes Steam Link as streaming games from the computer to the Quest; the game still runs on the PC.
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Use Meta Link wirelessly
Meta’s hardware guidance indicates that Link can use Wi-Fi as well as a cable. This wireless route is commonly called Air Link. The cited Meta material does not provide a complete current consumer pairing walkthrough or a universal network requirement, so use Meta’s current consumer setup support for the exact menus and connection steps. Do not assume the Steam Link network baseline automatically applies to Air Link.
Choose the connection that fits your setup
- Choose wired Meta Link if you prefer a cable connection and have a compatible USB-C data cable and PC port.
- Choose Steam Link if you want wireless streaming and your Quest model is listed by Valve, with a PC running Steam and SteamVR and a router meeting Valve’s stated minimum.
- Consider wireless Meta Link if you want to use Meta’s wireless Link option; follow current Meta setup instructions for pairing and network details.
The documented requirements distinguish the routes, but do not establish that one delivers lower latency or better image quality than another in every setup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Half-Life: Alyx on Quest without a PC?
No. The documented setup is PC VR: a Windows PC runs the game and SteamVR, and the Quest connects to it. The cited Valve listing does not offer a native Quest version.
Does Half-Life: Alyx work with Quest 3?
Yes, through a PC connection. Meta names Quest 3 for Link, and Valve names it for Steam Link. You still need a Windows PC that meets the game’s requirements.
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Does Half-Life: Alyx work with Quest 3S?
Meta’s Link documentation includes Quest 3S. Valve’s cited Steam Link model list does not name Quest 3S, so that documentation does not establish Steam Link support for it.
Do I need a Link cable?
No. A cable is for wired Meta Link; Steam Link is wireless, and Meta’s Link hardware guidance also indicates Wi-Fi can be used.
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