My Steam Controller Review, It's great! But there is a learning curve!

[retrowire]

Here's my preliminary review of the controller, since we can't put reviews up yet.

So! This is BRAND NEW controller technology, it's never been done before!! It's a controller that's meant to bridge the gap between traditional controllers and mouse and keyboard combos!

Taking that into mind, and understanding that this type of input device is the first of it's kind, you need to make your purchase knowing that no one is a master at using this input (yet) and that it has a learning curve. No one, I repeat NO ONE will open the box, set it up on Steam, open a game and feel just like they're playing with their old controllers. You will NOT be a pro right out of the box.

Now that that disclaimer has been said, and you're thoroughly frightened, let me reassure you. You can adjust ANYTHING on this device. ANYTHING. Deadzones, sensitivity, haptic feedback levels, control types. Do you want the pad to simulate a mouse? A trackball mouse? A joystick? Do you want mouse acceleration? Do you want smoothing? So on and so on.

So at first, I came in with the impression that WOW, this is going to be exciting and work great! And so I thought, what better way to test and celebrate Valve's first foray into hardware than to fire up Half Life 2 and kill some Ant Lions?

Welp, it was difficult. I felt that it was too slow at times and when I wanted to make diagonal movements while aiming, it wanted to choose the absolute of either UP or DOWN. I did my best, I tried adjusting the configurations (which as of now can only be adjusted in BPM FML.) but just couldn't get it right.

Frustrated with my purchase, I decided to truly put the controllers feet to the fire by taking it into one of my favorite, frenetic, high energy, twitchy first person shooters, Robot Roller Derby Disco Dodgeball.

I went to make a configuration, and noticed that the developer himself had made a binding for the game (Erik you rock!) and so I chose that, and went into my game.

Huh... I was actually doing pretty well for once! So I kept playing round after round in arcade mode, and eventually beat one of the bosses. I was aiming well, and twitching around corners and landing hits like it was nothing! I finally felt vindicated in my purchase.

I realized, maybe Eriks configuration is my preferred style. So, I set up my Half Life 2 game to have the same config as RRDDD and voila... It was great. Well, not PERFECT yet, but I made more adjustments and was doing quite well.

In the end, this controller is about practice. If you purchase it, don't throw a fit because you're suddenly crappy in games you're normally great in. With adjustments (you WILL make adjustments, don't get this controller if you prefer a plug and play kind of experience) you'll get comfortable in no time.

Also, as of now, 10/17/2015, before the official release, there are some software bugs. For instance, if you set the left circle pad to be a left joystick while the right circle pad is the same, you'll have some ghost movements that are especially noticeable when navigating menus.

One more thing, firmware updates will be coming for this controller, and we've got an amazing PC modding community that is actively being encouraged to play with this thing, and it's so versatile, I can't wait to see what they come up with. I mean, right now, while I have Steam open, I'm able to use the controller as a mouse to left click, right click and use my computer from my bed! I'm browsing the web right now with it. (Not typing with it though, I can't bring up the keyboard interface outside of Steam... YET, wait for those mods!)

Okay finally, I recommend this controller. But only for those of you who like tweaking things, and want a comfortable way to play all your PC games from your bed/couch/bathroom.

[F4lconF16]

1. This is a proper review.

Well done.

And it really makes me wish I weren't dirt poor

[retrowire]

2. Save that money!

This thing is versatile as well.

While Steam is open, you can use it to navigate your computer as a mouse.

I haven't used my mouse all day, I can right click, left click, scroll and middle mouse click all by using this wireless controller. It's fantastic. I can't wait til they update it so that we can use the Steam on screen keyboard outside of games as well, then it'll replace both my mouse AND my keyboard.

[Juicy_Bellows]

3. Makes me wish I pre-ordered.

Cut to the chase though, how does that baby stack up against a Dualshock 4? I've gotten pretty damn deadly on PC and console with the Dualshock.

Oh, and could you elaborate more on the haptic feedback? I am curious about that.

[retrowire]

4. Ok, I'll try.

So, it's really hard to compare the Steam Controller to a traditional controller because it's SO DAMN NON-TRADITIONAL.

I mean, you've got a joystick on your left and your A,B,X,Y's on your right, analog triggers and click bumpers on the back, but in addition, you've got 2 grip buttons and those oh so unique circle pads.

So how does it stack up against a DS4 in regards to performance? It's got great battery life (80 hours advertised, haven't owned it long enough to kill it, but I've used it everyday since getting it so we'll see), great wireless range, (i can use my PC with it from my kitchen, PC in bedroom down the hall) and the input latency is excellent.

That said, here's where the Steam Controller sets itself apart from the DS4 and why it was created to begin with.

You kick ass with a DS4 on PC. I used an Xbox 360 controller on PC. And brother, in shooters I SUCK with a traditional controller. I can't do my twitchy impulse aiming with a joystick, I just can't get that control that I get with the reflex of a mouse in my hand you know?

With the Steam Controller, I can get that. With some training (in about 2 days, I think I'm beginning to match myself in skill with the mouse and keyboard) I'm able to surpass my skill with a traditional controller.

Will you be able to get a better experience with the Steam Controller as opposed to the DS4? It depends on what you're accustomed too. If you like the ability to swing around and head shot someone with the pin point accuracy of a mouse, and FAST, then you may prefer the Steam Controller. But it WILL TAKE PRACTICE. I can't repeat that enough, sorry.

But if you like the smooth movements and control you get with a joystick and that's more comfortable, then this would take some getting used to.

You asked about the Haptic Feedback. This is one of the reasons I bought this thing, there's no other product that uses this kind of tech to my knowledge and I'm a sucker for gimmicks like this.

But as an example, and it's hard to explain but I'll try, say you set the pad to Trackball mode. You run your thumb across it, and a tiny speaker inside the pad literally shoots "clicks" of sound into your fingertip, so that you're feeling the artificial tactile feedback that feels like you're really rolling a trackball. You swipe your thumb, and you feel the clicks of sound simulate the faded slowing of the trackball because you released your finger. The cursor on your screen slows to a stop because the "trackball" stopped rolling.

Then you could set the pad to joystick mode, where the haptic feedback will simulate the resistance of a joystick under your thumb with those same sound waves. The smooth movement of the joystick appears on your screen. This mode, isn't my favorite though, because I'm so used to the twitchiness of the mouse.

In straight mouse mode though, it's just like the circle pad is the touchpad on a laptop, the haptic feedback does it's thing here too, sending soundwaves into your fingertip, simulating the resistance of the trackpad.

As I said in my op as well, this controller is the king of optimization and customization, make any button do anything. Make your controller half keyboard and mouse, half traditional controller. Turbo modes, sensitivity adjustments, you name it.

Plus, when not in a game, it doubles as a regular PC mouse, I can right click, left click, scroll click, directional button all around my computer. I don't even use my mouse anymore. I don't think the DS4 can do this can it? Without special software right?

Anyways, SORRY for the mouthful. I tried!

[Juicy_Bellows]

5. You've sold me!

I think I will stick to my DS4 for racing games and what not but maybe I will eat my words once I get my paws on one of these babies. You can use a DS4 as a mouse with little work but I fear it doesn't work nearly as well. You are getting to be as good as a mouse and keys with it? That's damn impressive and I must try one out for myself. As competent as I am with a DS4 I am not as good as I am in FPS with a mouse and keys, that is worth the price of admission.

Thanks for elaborating!

Cheers!

[retrowire]

6. No problem.

I will say though, that someone asked me to try a racing game with the left circle pad set to joystick mode.

I played GRID 2 with it. It SUCKED.

If the game needs a left joystick to move or steer, STICK with the joystick! lol

I just use the left circle pad as a D-Pad/Scroll wheel or extra keys sometimes.

[Juicy_Bellows]

7. Good to know.

I look forward to getting my hands on one - thanks again amigo!

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

8. Mine just arrived today.

Last edited Fri Dec 11, 2015, 03:44 PM - Edit history (1)

Using it for Portal 2 is really, really weird, but I can see how I'd get used to using the touch sensitive pads for looking and moving in FPS games. I can't stand using controllers for shooter games, but I could use this. Easily.

And the construction quality is excellent. It feels like a solid piece of hardware.

10/10. Would buy again to damage my thumbs. (In the style of the Steam reviews)

[retrowire]

9. lol glad you're enjoying it

yes, practice makes perfect! I'm much better than before.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

11. I discovered that it has gyros.

Very accurate gyros, too.

Playing GTA V is amazing with the gyros.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

10. Building the Steam Controller

Note what's on the robotic arms. Look closely...

[retrowire]

12. Welp.

Half Life 3 Confirmed.

[stonecutter357]

13. K&R! good Review.

WSAD for life.

[retrowire]

14. lol i like that

wsad 4 lyfe