Best with controller or keyboard mouse ?

[SoulPotato]

Just want to know if its alright with keyboard and mouse ...

[Odysseus]

Usually I'd have a strong opinion on this kind of thing, but with Hollow Knight, it's more a matter of preference than the discussion would suggest.

Most people here are saying controller is better, and I think it's probably easier for the average gamer, especially if you're already more comfortable with a controller. However, everyone here who's saying that there's no reason to use m&k is getting ahead of themselves. I've been playing on m&k from the beginning all the way to the Pantheon of Hallownest (final area) and have never felt like I didn't have full control of my character. I've never used a controller for Hollow Knight, but that's largely because I've personally never been a fan of how controller-based gameplay feels.

If you're comfortable with a controller, it's probably the better bet. However, if you're a hardcore PC m&k user, you're not going to feel limited or have a worse time.

[JustALonelyDude]

I've played through almost the whole game with KB+M and its done great for me. I defeated NKG with it so its obviously not terrible. I have never tried with a controller, but i think if i did , it would be hard because a played almost all the way through with KB+M. I don't play with the recommended keys because its stupid. I use WSAD for movement left click for nail, right click for dash, the extra buttons on my mouse for Dream Nail and Super Dash, and of course spacebar to jump. This made the game feel fluid and consistent for me. i almost never press the wrong key for something like i did with the recommended controls.
I might be what you call a "hardcore m&k user" @Odysseus though.

[DanySD]

Not really sure why people (including my friends) would always insist on playing 2d games with a controller. Keyboard is perfectly playable if you map the keys around what you find comfortable.

[Hotel Security]

It's very hard to have quick reflexes in a keyboard, especially when doing multiple actions like jumping and casting a spell and attacking and ground-pounding in one motion. Controller's got the best option for the most smooth controls, especially with a 2D game. I also prefer a D-Pad to an analog stick for side-scrollers as well...the control is a little more precise.

[GgWw1175]

Originally posted by Hotel Security:

It's very hard to have quick reflexes in a keyboard, especially when doing multiple actions like jumping and casting a spell and attacking and ground-pounding in one motion.

I really don't see how this applies to this game. I don't have a controller (and have only used one a few times in my life, so I'm not accustomed to them), and playing with keyboard controls sure didn't stop me from nearly acing the entirety of Godmaster (as of now, I haven't done all bindings P5, and obviously I haven't done it hitless).

The only issue I can think of regarding keyboard controls is if your keyboard doesn't have good anti-ghosting. I played with fully default keybinds at first, but once I started using quick cast for spells, I had to rebind it to space because F wouldn't register with some of the other buttons pressed.

[Nyandragon]

i think it depends on where you play aswell. i m mainly a KB person but ever since i upgraded to a big 4k tv for movies, i just got a series x controller with an xbox wireless adapter so i can use my pc as a console aswell and tbh... single player games like hollow knight for example just play and feel so much more immersive on a big screen

[Boksha]

Originally posted by Hotel Security:

It's very hard to have quick reflexes in a keyboard, especially when doing multiple actions like jumping and casting a spell and attacking and ground-pounding in one motion. Controller's got the best option for the most smooth controls, especially with a 2D game.

No. I've tried doing reflex tests with both a controller and a keyboard, and I always scored consistently faster with the keyboard, even a cheap one. Complicated presses on a controller don't even compare to what you can do on a keyboard, since you can use all fingers at once there, whereas with a controller you often have to move your thumb (slow!) while two of your finger dangle unused underneath. This is fine for games designed around controller use from the get-go (e.g. fighting games), but for fully independent presses, you'll want your fingers in place as much as possible at all times.

I've said it before, but it's not a coincidence most HK speedrunners use a keyboard over a controller. There are also speedrunners that use a controller, so the difference isn't big (way less important than personal preference), but don't go around saying a controller is in any way better than a decent keyboard. If anything, it's the other way around. If it wasn't, people's bias towards thinking a controller is always better for a 2-D game (hell; HK used to literally recommend using a controller on startup) would mean controllers would absolutely dominate among dedicated players, yet they don't.

[Thenoobman]

Originally posted by Herr Gutentauben:

Controller. Always.

I played in the beginnign with the keyboard and by doing so you are handicapping yourself

what no its not handicapping
keyboard is real good too

[Haungz]

Originally posted by SoulPotato:

Just want to know if its alright with keyboard and mouse ...

2d games = controller
3d and first person games = keyboard

works in most cases

[Boksha]

Originally posted by Haungz:

2d games = controller
3d and first person games = keyboard

works in most cases

Why?

[davidmp]

Using the controller seems to reduce your jump when compared to using the keyboard. You can assign the controls for both the controller and keyboard. I am trying both and haven't decided which is better.

[✽Ðás0s™]

I used a DS4 controller out of curiosity a few days ago. While I eventually got used to it, I feel like I still play better with a keyboard so I switched back to it. But might be because I've always been a m&k gamer myself. But the game is fun with a controller too. I think it's up to you really.