Keyboard vs Controller - Is there a big difference in this game?

[himmatsj]

So yeah, for those who have tried playing the game with both control options, is there a huge difference in playing using the controller over the keyboard? Specifically, does the controller result in an easier playthrough?

I have been playing lots of hardcore platformers (Electronic Super Joy, Giana Sisters, Guacamelee, Outland and Strider to name a few) and in terms of actual gameplay impact, I never felt the keyboard was an inferior option. Sure, a controller may have resulted in a more "pleasant" experience, but you were not disadvantaged for having a keyboard.

For this game though, I have a strong feeling like the keyboard didn't get enough love from the developers. I consider myself a "competent" enough platform gamer (I am a self-professed platformer lover) but I am seeing most people who use a controller to say the game is easier than how I am finding it to be. Likewise, most complaints about the game's difficulty and "unreliable controls" are coming from the keyboard crowd.

So yeah, please do share your take on this matter if you have both controls options at hand.

Thanks!

[ThreeGunz]

why, why, why on earth do people play platformers with a keyboard?
its like scuba diving in quicksand....or cutting wood with your nail scissor (sure you can do that but why would you) there are tools for the right trade, use them!

seriously, buy a xone controller (my choice and i honestly thing the best thing microsoft has ever built) or if you must a ps4 controller, huck it up your machine and enjoy platforming as it supposed to be! do it, do it now....

[himmatsj]

Originally posted by El.Clandestino:

why, why, why on earth do people play platformers with a keyboard?
its like scuba diving in quicksand....or cutting wood with your nail scissor (sure you can do that but why would you) there are tools for the right trade, use them!

seriously, buy a xone controller (my choice and i honestly thing the best thing microsoft has ever built) or if you must a ps4 controller, huck it up your machine and enjoy platforming as it supposed to be! do it, do it now....

This is not a discussion about a controller being better than a keyboard in general. As I mentioned in the OP, I concede a controller is the more pleasant experience for games like this.

This is a specific question with regards to this game. Specifically, how big of a disadvantage is the keyboard compared to the controller for those who have tried both methods.

Please do address the matter at hand, and not interject with something we all know.

[ThreeGunz]

despite the fact you call yourself a "competent" platform gamer you do not own a controller? gives me a hard time seeing your bad "review" that blame the gamedesign (leveldesign) and lament about the difficulty while playing and failing with a keyboard ;))

[Evil Calvin]

Can I just use my Xbox 360 controller? How would I get it hooked up to use? Or do I need a PC specific controller? I've always used mouse and keyboard too.

[Darkdanjal]

Im using a PS3 controller with DS3 tool program. Works like a charm on all steam games I have so far. Hope that helps

[rdy]

Keyboard+Mouse would actually be the superior control scheme if they allowed you to change keybindings. Bash is far more fluid and 'snappy' with the mouse to control it - with the analog stick or d-pad, the cursor tracks slowly in one direction.

The only problem with the K+M control scheme is that Jump is on Space, which isn't necessarily ideal, Charge Jump is bound to W, which is DEFINITELY not ideal, and Climb/Glide is bound to Shift which is a button you will be pressing and tapping constantly, which can become a bit painful on your pinky finger.

With a controller, transitioning from Gliding, Climbing, and Charge Jumping is far more fluid by the nature of trigger buttons. This is the primary benefit to using a controller.

To those of you above making fun of the topic creator, the Keyboard is the superior choice for precision platforming, because of the inherently reduced delay in switching directions. Learning Dustforce with a controller vs. learning Dustforce with a keyboard, the keyboard has more tangible benefits.

[himmatsj]

Originally posted by Rdy Katten:

Keyboard+Mouse would actually be the superior control scheme if they allowed you to change keybindings. Bash is far more fluid and 'snappy' with the mouse to control it - with the analog stick or d-pad, the cursor tracks slowly in one direction.

The only problem with the K+M control scheme is that Jump is on Space, which isn't necessarily ideal, Charge Jump is bound to W, which is DEFINITELY not ideal, and Climb/Glide is bound to Shift which is a button you will be pressing and tapping constantly, which can become a bit painful on your pinky finger.

With a controller, transitioning from Gliding, Climbing, and Charge Jumping is far more fluid by the nature of trigger buttons. This is the primary benefit to using a controller.

To those of you above making fun of the topic creator, the Keyboard is the superior choice for precision platforming, because of the inherently reduced delay in switching directions. Learning Dustforce with a controller vs. learning Dustforce with a keyboard, the keyboard has more tangible benefits.

Thanks man! This is precisely the kind of response I am looking for!

Can you explain a bit more in general terms as far as platformers are concerned? Something like ESJ, is it better on KB or controller? Which ones off the top of your head would you say are suited more to controllers and less to keyboards?

[Tupfel]

I tried both, keyboard and 360 controller. And guess what, I stick to the keyboard. I'm a PC player and use the controller maybe once every 2 years or so. Last console I owned was a Super Nintendo when I was like 14 years old 20 years ago.

Controlls with keyboard are fine, don't see any reason to use a controller. I'm more precise and faster with mouse and keyboard and suck with the analog stick. So if your "skilled" with keyboard go for it.

[Kawalorn]

Originally posted by El.Clandestino:

despite the fact you call yourself a "competent" platform gamer you do not own a controller? gives me a hard time seeing your bad "review" that blame the gamedesign (leveldesign) and lament about the difficulty while playing and failing with a keyboard ;))

Oh and why is pad even needed? Stick is not needed for any movement and bash aiming works IMO even better with a mouse than with a stick.

Perhaps it's not the keyboard but you having problems with using any other kind of controler?

Finished whole game on keyboard and I didn't even have a problem with what Rdy Katten mentioned.

[rdy]

Originally posted by himmatsj:

Thanks man! This is precisely the kind of response I am looking for!

Can you explain a bit more in general terms as far as platformers are concerned? Something like ESJ, is it better on KB or controller? Which ones off the top of your head would you say are suited more to controllers and less to keyboards?

Personally I preferred Electronic Super Joy with keyboard. Personally, I'm generally more comfortable with precise movements using WASD or Arrow Keys, because of the nature of the movements being "on" or "off," if that makes sense. With an analog stick, it's better for tracking or smooth movements, where you'll slowly roll from one direction to another, especially at varying speeds.

That said, generally you can play any platformer with either option - I play Wings of Vi with controller because of the heavy combat sections.

[himmatsj]

Originally posted by Kawalorn:

Originally posted by El.Clandestino:

despite the fact you call yourself a "competent" platform gamer you do not own a controller? gives me a hard time seeing your bad "review" that blame the gamedesign (leveldesign) and lament about the difficulty while playing and failing with a keyboard ;))

Oh and why is pad even needed? Stick is not needed for any movement and bash aiming works IMO even better with a mouse than with a stick.

Perhaps it's not the keyboard but you having problems with using any other kind of controler?

Finished whole game on keyboard and I didn't even have a problem with what Rdy Katten mentioned.

I'm actually using just mouse alone, no keyboard. So bash aiming with mouse allows you full freedom, not just 8 directions?

[rdy]

Originally posted by himmatsj:

I'm actually using just mouse alone, no keyboard. So bash aiming with mouse allows you full freedom, not just 8 directions?

That is correct. The analog stick also offers Bash with full directional freedom, but the mouse is naturally a bit more precise.

[GreenBWW]

Originally posted by ThreeGunz:

why, why, why on earth do people play platformers with a keyboard?
its like scuba diving in quicksand....or cutting wood with your nail scissor (sure you can do that but why would you) there are tools for the right trade, use them!

seriously, buy a xone controller (my choice and i honestly thing the best thing microsoft has ever built) or if you must a ps4 controller, huck it up your machine and enjoy platforming as it supposed to be! do it, do it now....

Because keyboard is a viable option. I played through and completed spelunky, spelunky 2 & celeste all on keyboard. I have ori on nintendo switch and so far I do not have any complains about controls on the controller.

Recently I started playing hollow knight and chose controller instead of keyboard and despite the change being quite intuitive, it also comes with it's own downsides. You can't make micro adjustments and so I constantly face the wrong direction while attacking enemies. So to be honest, I prefer keyboard.

[LinkSamus3]

Originally posted by GreenBWW:

You can't make micro adjustments and so I constantly face the wrong direction while attacking enemies. So to be honest, I prefer keyboard.

I think that's an issue of how much experience and skill you have playing games with one versus the other. I can be much more precise and faster with a controller than with a keyboard. I don't play platformers or other action games with a keyboard as a rule, because I totally suck at trying to do that. I've been playing them with a controller since I was 5, why would I change that now?