Corn Kidz with a Keyboard Experience

[ReeseyPuffy]

It's heavily discouraged to play this goofy goat game with a keyboard. Not only does Steam recommend playing with a controller, but the .txt file literally says "Don't do it." for keyboard controls.

Although that left me wondering- what would it be like playing Corn Kidz 64 with a keyboard? Surely it can't be that bad, right? So, I deleted my save data and started from scratch. The entirety of the playthrough was spent using a keyboard. I also streamed the game with a keyboard overlay that showed my inputs for proof I had actually accomplished this feat.

For the most part, it was actually pretty smooth sailing. Admittedly, I can usually get accustomed to less traditional control schemes fairly quickly, but I was certainly handicapped in some ways. Obviously playing with a keyboard means no analog control, which means no degree of movement whatsoever. Movement was as binary as on or off.

This was mostly an issue when it came to camera movement; aiming in particular. I was unable to keep the camera pointed at specific angles, so whenever I needed to use a Bomby or Springby, I had to fidget with the arrow keys and shoot them at the right moment.

Where I really struggled with keyboard controls was the Anxiety Tower. I mean, I already find it super difficult with a controller. But pulling off such precise movements and camera angles with a keyboard? Not my idea of a good time. The part I struggled with the most was the section with the wall jump panels because pulling off the diagonal angles I needed to leap across felt nearly impossible without proper degree of movement. Camera control was also far from ideal since adjusting to certain angles wasn't as snappy.

But you know what? I did it. After two hours of attempts, I reached the top of the Anxiety Tower. Believe me you, I was sweating and shaking and screaming. But I felt more accomplished than ever completing the hardest challenge in the game with such a handicap. Of course, I still needed to do the super secret stuff for true completion, but those parts were thankfully much breezier.

Now I can see why it's not recommended to play Corn Kidz 64 with a keyboard. It didn't seem too bad at first, but the further I went, the more the lack of analog movement stung. The only control method I could think of that would be more insane would be playing with an actual corn cob.

From now on, I'll be playing Corn Kidz 64 exclusively with a controller. It doesn't matter which controller; as long as it's a controller (with an analog stick) is all that matters. I would definitely listen to the game's .txt file if I were you. If you want to play Corn Kidz 64 with a keyboard, well... no. Don't do it.

[Reality Warper]

I don't have money for a controller. Looks like I'm platimuning it with keys like Hollowknight... Lord give me strength 😭

[Shady Nefarius]

I started to play with Keyboard around June, and after some time, I got used to it. Camera controls are indeed tricky at the Anxiety Tower (especially the part where you need to use Springbird to dash through the wall bouncers). Except you cannot delete the save file without the controller. And also, with keyboard I was able to pass through the Anxiety Tower Parkour via Soda Machine as I couldn't do it with the controller (it's hellish hard) for the Black Outfit.

[Kujiiro]

Damn, I can't even beat Anxiety Tower on controller. Mad props, that's crazy determination lol.