How's controller play?

[Bullett00th]

Never in my life have I thought I'd be asking this about a MW game, considering I own a HOTAS device. But I just can't game behind my desk anymore, I want to relax on a couch, so looking for controller-supported games mostly.

Huge fan of MW4, played it multiple times back in the day both on KB+M and with a joystick, wondering how it translates to an Xbox controller

[Bullett00th]

Originally posted by ICE 9:

Playing MW from your couch, first you will probably need a good gaming notebook/laptop computer - preferably, high-end that can maintain a good frame-rate. I don't know how you would go about setting up a tower next to your couch - though I'm sure it can be done... ...just clumsy.

I have been using the Dell Alienware series notebooks with no problems, other than the fact that the earlier Alienware PC's tended to get extremely hot, and could burn your legs without some form of thermal protection. I currently use a Dell Alienware X17 R2 with the Intel core i9 chipset, which does not get as hot, but still needs a thermal pad if you are going to use it on your lap - which you will with a 17 or 18" display. Optionally, you can use it with an external keyboard, mouse and external display (via USB, USB and HDMI ports respectively) and display the game on a wide-screen TV. This fixes any thermal problem as well as the small screen issue. And you can still easily switch back to using you laptop keyboard and display from your coffee table (or wear it on your lap) if you want.

errr I don't mean to be ungrateful and appreciate you going into detail but none of it really answers my question :)

I've gotten comfortable with playing most singleplayer/coop FPS games with a controller for a while now. For some, like Halo or Killing Floor it actually feels better once you get the hang of aiming. I just need to know how much of an inconvenience it is specifically for MW5, given it's released on consoles as well.

As for the setup - I simply have a TV connected to my desktop PC and a couch opposite of it. There's no special setup needed, I just press Win+P to switch from monitor to TV, grab a controller, crash on the couch and game. It's very easy and comfortable.

[Explore]

I think maybe it wasn't clear where you're coming from, but I see now you're someone who has all the setup, and is considering whether to buy this game.

The X-Box controller has sufficient buttons for the functions you need in the game, but the issue is. being able to fire weapon groups while also having your fingers controlling the legs and the torso. I think that would leave you with up to 4 weapon groups (RT, LT, LB, RB), but it's best to check yourself with your controller.

I don't know what it's like, but I'd imagine after some adjustment it will work, though maybe not quite as well as mouse+kb. There's also an option to enable an FPS style of control if you don't care about classical gameplay and just want to kick back.

[ICE 9]

Originally posted by Bullett00th:

Originally posted by ICE 9:

Playing MW from your couch, first you will probably need a good gaming notebook/laptop computer - preferably, high-end that can maintain a good frame-rate. I don't know how you would go about setting up a tower next to your couch - though I'm sure it can be done... ...just clumsy.

I have been using the Dell Alienware series notebooks with no problems, other than the fact that the earlier Alienware PC's tended to get extremely hot, and could burn your legs without some form of thermal protection. I currently use a Dell Alienware X17 R2 with the Intel core i9 chipset, which does not get as hot, but still needs a thermal pad if you are going to use it on your lap - which you will with a 17 or 18" display. Optionally, you can use it with an external keyboard, mouse and external display (via USB, USB and HDMI ports respectively) and display the game on a wide-screen TV. This fixes any thermal problem as well as the small screen issue. And you can still easily switch back to using you laptop keyboard and display from your coffee table (or wear it on your lap) if you want.

errr I don't mean to be ungrateful and appreciate you going into detail but none of it really answers my question :)

I've gotten comfortable with playing most singleplayer/coop FPS games with a controller for a while now. For some, like Halo or Killing Floor it actually feels better once you get the hang of aiming. I just need to know how much of an inconvenience it is specifically for MW5, given it's released on consoles as well.

As for the setup - I simply have a TV connected to my desktop PC and a couch opposite of it. There's no special setup needed, I just press Win+P to switch from monitor to TV, grab a controller, crash on the couch and game. It's very easy and comfortable.

Well! More power to you! I gave up using the controllers long ago with Halo. Back then, I used a PC style keyboard and mouse adapter that plugged into the X-Box controller port(s)... ...I never looked back.

How these controllers work with MW5? I couldn't tell you. I wouldn't think it would work very well - but then I am biased... ...and I'm a former stick-and-keyboard MW4 player myself.

[Explore]

As an aside, does anyone remember how MW2 came with a template to lay over your keyboard for the controls? Those were the days.

[Seinekar]

I was wondering the same.

Playued the game with KB mouse.
Then tried with controller.
Even installed on steam deck.

Im playing on controller now even on PC, it works perfectly fine, not missing anything. Most "annoying" thing is to issue orders to mates using the crosspad, wich isnt really a problem (up-up-right follow me, up-up-up attack my target) and thats it.

Would recommend aim assist high when playing with controller, then also there is an option to change between "mech control" and "first person shooter control". FPS scheme works as any first person shooter would, while mech mode is to simulate the vehicular combat end behaves... different, just try. (It applies to both controller and kb+m schemes)

[Bullett00th]

Originally posted by Seinekar:

I was wondering the same.

Playued the game with KB mouse.
Then tried with controller.
Even installed on steam deck.

Im playing on controller now even on PC, it works perfectly fine, not missing anything. Most "annoying" thing is to issue orders to mates using the crosspad, wich isnt really a problem (up-up-right follow me, up-up-up attack my target) and thats it.

Would recommend aim assist high when playing with controller, then also there is an option to change between "mech control" and "first person shooter control". FPS scheme works as any first person shooter would, while mech mode is to simulate the vehicular combat end behaves... different, just try. (It applies to both controller and kb+m schemes)

I appreciate this a lot, will be trying the game soon

[Guts]

I only play this game with a controller, because using mouse and keyboard is too easy. With M&KB I can headshot all the time. It takes skill to target the head with a no autoaim controller.

At the same time, it's not hard to use. Turn autoaim to light for the most relaxing but also realistic feel. Only issue is that I still have to press a few keyboard buttons because YAML doesn't have dpad menus for some pieces of equipment.

[Bullett00th]

Originally posted by N473:

Only issue is that I still have to press a few keyboard buttons because YAML doesn't have dpad menus for some pieces of equipment.

That's a big issue, I won't be having a keyboard on me when couch playing

[Coyote]

I play the game just fine with a controller. Have around 2k hours in it.
The only thing thats wonky on controllers is not being to target friendlies to see specific damage or loadouts. I have one of those keypads that attach to the bottom of my xbox controller and i use that to do any additional key presses i may have to do, which is not often.

Engaging masc and superchargers kinda suck having to tap a D-pad direction.

https://www.nexusmods.com/mechwarrior5mercenaries/mods/877
I recommend this mod, or else you will need to always make additional dpad presses, which is annoying.

I use mouse for mechlab and galactic map stuff. I find it to be faster and easier.

I dont use aim assist, but it has it. And it will make the game ALOT easier to focus on movement when you just need to aim in a general direction close to the target and the AA will do the rest.

[snee.scampers]

Originally posted by Bullett00th:

Originally posted by N473:

Only issue is that I still have to press a few keyboard buttons because YAML doesn't have dpad menus for some pieces of equipment.

That's a big issue, I won't be having a keyboard on me when couch playing

you can have everything at once, wireless keyboard and mouse on the couch and i have steam controller as well. all of it is active at once whatever you reach for is in a functional state.

[idol_uberfixer]

I play on controller, and use...I think Medium aim assist? While my skill level isn't SUPER high with the controller, I can play the game with zero problems. You do, in fact, get only 4 weapon groups with the shoulder buttons/triggers, but I have trouble imagining a mech that'd I want to load with more weapon options than that. Hell, most of my mechs have a primary group, a secondary group, one of those on chain fire, then punchies on chain fire. Works just fine for me.

[Chillidoge]

Controller is "doable" but it comes with a few caveats that I noticed while testing it.

For example, I highly recommend you use the "first person" mech control mode or whatever it's called that completely unlocks your legs from your torso Mechassault-style. This makes the game feel much more fluid on a controller, especially for the faster mechs.

As Idol mentioned, auto aim is almost a requirement, it can be quite tough to actually get the crosshairs on target reliably, so I would also give that a try. On the highest setting you become a headshotting death machine too, which is kind of funny so if you're struggling you can bump it up and it should carry you through a tough mission or two.

On the downside, I found when using a controller on PC there were some mechlab menu parts I simply couldn't access without a keyboard and mouse. I'm not sure if that ever got patched as I play mostly on KBM now, but it's worth having a wireless keyboard with a trackpad handy for those moments when the UI doesn't behave nicely.

The game IMO gets a bit harder on controller, so you have to focus more on your approach, cover and setups than on PC where you can wing it with better accuracy and agility.