Hey,

I have a Windows 10 Laptop, I'm not super tech savvy but is there a game controller so I can play games like, action adventure and RPG. Say Final Fantasy (VIII) to be specific, and just for reference if anyone remembers Baldurs Gate/ Hack n' Slash type games I can't imagine playing either RPG Or A&A without one.

Please help, thanks


John

I would go with a Xbox One controller, easy to setup and good support in games. Check this link: https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/gaming/xbox-controller-wireless-adapter-for-windows-10

Steam controller is great for that kind of game. Though, you would have to add your games to the client. Not that much trouble for a good controller in my opinion. But the tin foil hat types around here would say otherwise. "Steam ate my mother!"

First off, most games on pc are far better with keyboard and mouse, controllers are better for driving/fighting/platformers, but for most others k-m is the way to go. Baldurs gate for instance (which is not a hack and slash unless your thinking of the console game) is desisnged around keyboard and mouse and without a fair bit of setup you will find it's quite difficult to play.
Anything first person or with a need to aim benefits exponentially from a mouse.

As for controllers, Xbox 360 controller should be plug and play with games designed with controller in mind. Logitech with directinput/xinput should be mostly compatible. Then it's just a matter of what feels comfortable.
Xpadder and others like that can map controller to keyboard for those games which don't have controller support, however I would really advise you to try mouse and keyboard, it's a far stronger way of playing a lot of games. No body is interested in how steam pleasured your mum!

That literally looks perfect. I was hoping there would be a cheaper option that would get the job done but if it's important to pay up I deff will.
Appreciate it

And if anyone has used any cheaper ones and wants to comment please do. If not I'll be buying this payday. Haha,
Thanks again.

-John

Hey guys thanks for replies, I looked up all 3 conrollers and Steam is $55 , Xbox is $80 and Logitech looks like what I played FF games on playstation with which is kinda cool, and only 20. I guess they all work well and it's safe to buy the cheap one?

And yeah I was talking old baldurs gate the OG hack slash game haha. I just want it to feel like it did when I originally played these games, I can't imagine running around a straight up RPG like FF series after they changed to 3d or whatever after VII. The ones before that I played without a controller. I may just give a shot but I can't imagine how you guys can do hack and slash games.

Thanks for the advice I'm probably going to get Logitech unless steam makes me buy theres for FFVIII since GOG doesn't sell these type of games itt looks like.

I don't know maybe I'll try without.

Anyone who uses a controller for any game please chime in, seems like maybe I'm way off and should just try it without a controller.

Thanks again,

-John

I have been researching the 3 controlelrs, Xbox one; Steam, And Logitech F710.

From what I've read, and what you are saying It's pretty important to spend the $80 If I can't play without it. My mouse is the touchpad on my laptop but I doubt it would even be used in a FF and hack n slash games.


Thanks everyone, I think this is resolved. I'll give feedback when I get my bread together for FFVIII with and without controller to help any nerds in training like me.

-John

Otherwise I might agree, but that bolded part isn't really true. XBox controllers (and other XInput controllers, like the Logitech F310 and such) are good for NEWER games, while older games rely on the older DirectInput standard.

While it is usually possible to customize the Xbox controller to work passably also with such older DirectInput games (sometimes with extra software like XPadder or whatever), it doesn't fully work with them out of the box. Logitech F310, however, is better in that regard as it has an optional "legacy" DirectInput mode as well, for those older games.

Anyway, in the big picture I'd say that doesn't matter that much because usually the older DirectInput-era PC games were really optimized for mouse+keyboard, not really gamepads. Sometimes they are optional, e.g. Prince of Persia Sands of Time works quite well both with mouse+keyboard or an older DirectInput gamepad, it is mostly a matter of taste which one you prefer with that particular game.

So in that sense buying a XInput-only gamepad like the Xbox360 controller is quite fine, I guess. It will be used mainly with newer (like 2008 and newer) PC games which were specifically optimized for it. Older games would then be played mostly with mouse + keyboard, except for maybe space/flight combat sims and racing games of course.