PC Games That Play Better With A Controller

Generally, PC gaming is synonymous with keyboard and mouse control, and for good reason. Genres like first-person shooters and strategy games benefit significantly from the precision these input devices offer. Adapting to alternative controls in these genres can be challenging. Grand strategy and real-time strategy games, long exclusive to PC due to perceived gamepad control limitations, now frequently appear on PlayStation and Xbox, though they often remain superior on PC.

While most PC games strive for robust keyboard and mouse support, some titles are better suited to controllers. Games emphasizing reflex-based movement or fast-paced melee combat are ideal candidates for gamepad use. Similarly to keyboard and mouse, certain genres are intrinsically linked to controllers, particularly franchises originating on consoles and subsequently ported to PC. What are the top controller-friendly PC games?

Updated January 7, 2025 by Mark Sammut: 2024 concluded strongly with several high-profile releases like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Infinity Nikki, Marvel Rivals, Path of Exile 2, and Delta Force, all launching within days of each other. Most of these excel with keyboard and mouse; arguably, they're better played that way than with a controller. However, Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered might be slightly better with a gamepad, though the difference isn't substantial.

Several upcoming PC games, slated for release in the next month, appear primed for controller use, although this remains to be confirmed:

• Freedom Wars Remastered – A PS Vita revival echoing the Monster Hunter formula, making controller use logical.
• Tales of Graces f Remastered – The Tales series consistently performs better with gamepads, and this remaster is expected to follow suit.
• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth – The PC version of the remake is superior with a controller, and Rebirth's combat system closely mirrors its predecessor.
• Marvel's Spider-Man 2 – Another PS5 exclusive transitioning to PC, often indicating a controller-centric experience. However, keyboard and mouse may still be viable.

A 2024 Soulslike game has also been included in this article. Click below to jump to this title.

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Slightly Better With Controllers