Steam controller came on the market few months ago, and although we acquired it immediately, we bring you a review only now, when we finally absorb the experience of using this alien gamepad. This unfortunately is not the title of his commendable because alien actually means something foreign that needs adjusting. The starting point of this unknown is based on two round surfaces, touch, which simulate the d-pad buttons and the right analog stick of traditional controllers. Or more importantly – emulate mouse and keyboard.
Steam controller is lead with an idea that a single stroke can handle two birds or two problems of controller – the first: it does not work with PC games that do not have support for controller; and secondly, to carry certain limitations in terms of speed and precision in controlling. So you have a controller that is partly practical gamepad, and partly touchpad with all its advantages. On paper, it sounds idyllic, but is it really dream compound?
Almost paradoxically, Steam controller is good for the games that are not good for the controller. These are strategically addresses, management and tycoon games, MOBA titles, isometric hack’n’slash RPG’s, PNC adventures and the like. He is capable and some less demanding MMO games, and keeps well in shooters from the first and third person. Of course, no better than using a mouse and keyboard, but if you want to press yourself across the room and enjoy these games, then they are a solid alternative.
The controller is primarily wireless, although it can connect with the USB cable (that comes in the box). As a wireless controller works flawlessly – the signal range is excellent, and the battery life is excellent. The controller works at a distance of five meters, does not record any interference not even when they are between it and the USB port. You do not even have to hold the controller according to the direction of the computer. Uses two AA batteries, durability depends on them, but Duracell that come bundled with the controller last for more than fifty hours of gameplay.
Although the controller cannot be physically set, you can do whatever you want with him when it comes to software. From the previously mentioned option of defining acceleration, through gyroscopic controls, to auto-fire and similar things, Steam controller is a paradise for those who like to fiddle with the options. All this set of controls can be saved, and if you can’t stack schemes by yourself, you have official and user settings. Official are stacked by developers themselves, but these are available only to current, not the older games.
Valve has made something new and something worth of appreciating, especially because they’ve decided to try something new, such as the back button. The only question is whether you need a controller that is not the most rounded, when you can use gamepad consoles with more quality for your PC, and ones you do not need much time to get used to.
