When it comes to gaming, the input method significantly influences the experience, enhancing some genres while hindering others. Whether you prefer specialized controllers, traditional gamepads, or the versatility of a keyboard and mouse (KBM), different genres respond uniquely to these modalities.
Virtually every game undergoes evaluations on a keyboard during its development. While some may not utilize that setup for their final format, the precise analog movement available with a mouse, combined with the vast array of inputs on a keyboard, often leads to a superior gaming experience.
Reflecting on my own experiences, I fondly recall hours spent in Minecraft on PC, where the game felt cumbersome on consoles due to controller limitations. Conversely, transitioning from a controller to KBM while playing Portal 2 felt like a liberation. Such experiences lead to the question: which genres excel or falter based on the input method?
10 Puzzle
Figure It Out
The term “puzzle game”encompasses a wide range, from Portal to Tetris, making the choice of control scheme largely dependent on the specific title. Generally speaking, I find that using a keyboard enhances the experience for most puzzle games, if not outshines the controller entirely. Games like Tetris and Puyo Puyo are vastly popular on keyboards, while first-person puzzlers significantly benefit from the precision of KBM.
However, analog controls can shine in select puzzle games. Yet, even in those instances, the mouse can often replace the analog sticks effectively. One notable exception is Outer Wilds, a game that requires both analog sticks and triggers for optimal control, making KBM less effective.
9 Rhythm
Super Precise
Historically, rhythm games were often linked to gimmicky peripherals, but the landscape has shifted towards standard controls, favoring keyboard inputs. Take OSU!, for example—it’s almost unplayable with a controller. While a drawing tablet can be more effective, many players find satisfactory performance with KBM.
Modern rhythm games, such as Friday Night Funkin’ and Fortnite Festival, have shifted towards a casual audience, leading to a decline in traditional instruments. Using a keyboard aligns perfectly with the input layouts on-screen, allowing players to tap keys rhythmically without the clunkiness of a controller.
8 Simulation
Testingcheats True
Simulation games like The Sims have consistently struggled to create seamless control schemes for consoles. Outside of the Wii’s unique offerings, encountering sluggish gameplay on a controller in simulation titles is common. This genre is diverse, with Steam showcasing a wide array of simulation games that vary dramatically.
While dedicated simulation titles often falter on controllers, games like Persona 5 and Animal Crossing can be managed adequately across platforms. Nevertheless, dedicated simulation experiences remain significantly better suited to keyboard and mouse setups, highlighting their limitations on other input methods.
7 Deckbuilder
A Royal Flush
For those who have experienced card games on consoles, the sluggish feel is palpable, particularly in comparison to the smoothness experienced with a KBM. Navigating and managing cards within a deckbuilder game is far more fluid with a mouse and keyboard, empowering players to interact more swiftly.
In titles like Slay the Spire and Balatro, menu navigation can be cumbersome on a controller, leaving players feeling restricted and imprecise. The convenience of mouse precision transforms the card gaming experience, harkening back to Microsoft’s foresight in integrating Solitaire into Windows long ago.
6 Strategy
Construct Pylons Faster
Diving into strategy games often presents a challenge as you manage multiple elements and cope with a flurry of stats. A keyboard and mouse setup proves invaluable as it provides the rapid responsiveness needed to navigate these complex environments. While some casual strategy games like Pikmin can function on consoles, the majority demand the efficiency and precision only KBM can offer.
The dense menus typical of strategy titles can make controllers feel clunky and unwieldy, highlighting the need for quicker interactions that a keyboard and mouse setup can provide. This dominance of KBM in the strategy genre perfectly encapsulates why it excels in these contexts.
5 Sandbox
Crafting in Mind
Playing sandbox games like Minecraft or Terraria on consoles can feel satisfactory, but transitioning to keyboard and mouse reveals a vastly enhanced experience. In first-person sandbox games, the precision that a mouse offers stands out, alleviating the frustrations of analog stick control.
Moreover, managing inventories and responding swiftly in these games become significantly more intuitive with a keyboard. Titles like Terraria can feel cumbersome on consoles, especially when coming from a PC setup, leading to limitations that detract from the gameplay experience.
4 Idle
Keep Gambling
For those who enjoy idle games like Cookie Clicker, the ideal platform is undeniably PC. The quick clicking required for rapid progress aligns perfectly with a mouse, while remapping controller inputs can feel clunky and imprecise.
Utilizing a mouse allows for swift interaction with upgrades and game mechanics, making the experience smoother and significantly more enjoyable. While alternatives like the Steam Deck provide opportunities for on-the-go play, the inherent advantages of PC remain unmatched in this genre.
3 Shooters
Easier 360s
The debate over the superior control method for shooters is longstanding. With keyboards and mice offering unmatched precision and responsiveness, they have consistently outperformed controllers, which often rely on aim assist to level the playing field.
Despite attempts to bridge this gap via innovative solutions like gyro aiming or flick stick controls, the keyboard and mouse duo remains the best option for gamers seeking the optimal shooting experience. Some players have even started using a hybrid approach, combining controller movement with mouse aiming, showcasing the KBM’s dominance in this genre.
2 MMO
Grinding Skill Points
MMOs reign supreme when it comes to managing large numbers of menus, stats, and inventory in real-time, which is why they thrive on PC. These games often demand quick, repetitive actions that feel tedious on a controller.
Trying to navigate the complexities of an MMO with a gamepad is an exercise in frustration, with cumbersome button mapping and limited precision. Overall, the keyboard and mouse setup remains paramount in delivering a fluid and accessible MMORPG experience, with no solid examples of successful controller adaptations coming to mind.
1 Text-Based
Obvious Entry Incoming
Text-based adventure games highlight the clear advantages of keyboard inputs, as writing on a digital keyboard via a controller is cumbersome at best. Even simple tasks, like entering a Wi-Fi password, can be excruciating with a controller.
The text-heavy nature of these games is fundamentally rooted in the keyboard experience, making them almost exclusively suited to PC. As a genre, text-based adventures remain critical for digital storytelling, showcasing their inherent incompatibility with console interfaces.
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