Surlent
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Just as my old (about one and a half) year-old Logitech Precision pad got worn out fully, as it keeps holding right automatically, I tried to play some of those puzzle games (Heboris UE, Blocksum or even Touhou - Imperishable Night) with a plain keyboard.
It was a pain in the ass first, but as for TH, I seem to manage as good as with a gamepad (well, define "good" ... I still have a lot of trouble in stage three on "Normal", losing at least one life at the boss), at least the minimal aim - beating the first boss' last spell regularly and the second one from time to time on Normal - is really no problem with a keyboard.
On the other hand I read opinions like puzzle and fighting games should be played with a good aracade stick only; if none is available, the keyboard should be the preferred choice. But I think that a cheap stick of plastic can never outrun a fat cabinet one, which should last a very long time ... unless you invest some money to buy a a baby like that.
What do you think; if you mostly play emulated games, you might be used to gamepads usually (not only due to limitations of the maximum amount of keys pressed simultaneously - think Chrono Trigger's L+R and A sequence, though even my antique 200 MHz computer several years ago had not that issue), but some people still tell me, that I should switch from gamepad to keyboard if I want to improve in Tetris Attack and the like significantly.
My question is: What makes moving using the keyboard in puzzlers and such more accurate than a (good) gamepad?
Is it a longer span pressing a button on your controller, as it is plugged in via USB, while a keyboard reacts much better; or even the way to customize controls in the config menu?
Now tell me your opinion; what (emulated) games do you play with a pad or a keyboard, and why you do so. |
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 | | It really depends on genre. This is the most important advice I give about "keyboard or gamepad/stick" questions.
Fast-paced arcade racing games like the F-Zero series are usually best using a gamepad. It's next to impossible for the average player to react quick enough on those with keyboard alone. One can do so, but don't count on that. Especially not F-Zero X since it was designed for analog support.
Standard platforms like Super Mario Bros can be played fine on keyboard. However, don't try it on more advanced ones. Mega Man X or Super Metroid for instance. You have to use more buttons at once than is comfortable with most keyboards.
Fighting games, I'm used to a gamepad. Though I haven't really been historically keen on arcades sticks in general. Just not my thing.
Don't know about RPGs. They seem fine either way, haven't payed much attention.
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Teconmoon
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| Posted on 12-12-07 06:04:00 PM (last edited by teconmoon at 12-16-07 12:13 AM) |
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I use a keyboard and mouse for most emulated games, because I'm just used to it.
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Ω > UI have the option of using a PS2 controller or my keyboard and I usually prefer the keyboard over the controller just for the sheer fact that I'm much faster on it in terms of button presses. It's just better contoured for the fingers provided that you have a setup that doesn't generate a keyboard error with multiple button presses (which I have, for the most part). It's really the only way I've pulled off speeds like I have in netplay tournies that went keyboard-only.
I mean see for yourself. Not the best vid in the world but it's all on keyboard.
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I do almost all of my on-computer gaming exclusively on a keyboard. Unfortunately, mine likes to push random buttons or hold things down, so it ISN"T UNUSUAL TO SEE ME TYPING SOMETHING LIKE THIS< USUALLY WITH A "FUCKING KEYBOARD!*(@%" LINE RIGHT AFTERWARDS, and occasionally even inserts random cra4p into sentences when I'm typing or even just using the m3ouse (simulation only)
It's a real bastard in puzzle games because if a certain key --like L or R in Tetris Attack -- gets stuck, it's basically game over.
I try playing games with BMF's gamepad but I don't like it at all. My skill in Tetris Attack on an actual console actually seems to be on par with my keyboard one, though, so your milage may vary.
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Sponty
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I do all my emulation with keyboard, and most games with keyboard and mouse. I had a gamepad at some point, but it ceases to work :/
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TheGreatGuy
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Gamepad for most things, though when I do play puzzle games I find that easier with a keyboard. Also, I vastly prefer mouse+Keyboard to controller when it comes to FPS and the like. Platformers though? Forget it. I'm getting better emulating with a keyboard, since sometimes my flash drive and after school CompSci stuff lead to emulation on the keyboard, but I'll never match my gamepad skill.
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Unfortunately I have no idea where to buy a gamepad although I'm sure that I've been to stores that have them (it's just that every time I go out I forget to look for one). I've become quite good at using the keyboard although I wouldn't mind buying a gamepad so that if I ever want to try it I can.
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| |  I do all emulation and Touhou on a keyboard.
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I have never owned a gamepad and so naturally do all computer gaming on the keyboard- I will agree with the earlier comment that more complex sidescrollers like Super Metroid can be a pain, though.
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Sponty
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Yeah, without a proper configuration, games like that are hard to master.
I usually just use FDSA and the arrow keys, but it doesn't work well with Super Metroid.
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| | | |    | | I've never been able to play games via the keyboard...I guess my brain just can't get used to the "move around with your RIGHT hand" setup (though I could always switch to WASD instead of the arrow keys or something). I have enough trouble just trying to type without my fingers getting snarled into a painful ball. 
For those games that only have keyboard support (Within a Deep Forest, for example), I like to use JoyToKey. Unfortunately, it doesn't work properly with all games...
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Header with random useless information here.
----------------------------I've been playing with a keyboard all this time, but I can use a gamepad perfectly fine as well.
I guess I can adapt easily to any kind of controls... 
An arcade stick would be awesome though. Except for a lack of buttons (the most common is like 6 buttons...)
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I use a keyboard for everything, mostly because I don't have a gamepad to play with. Though I did borrow my friends PS2-USB controller and try to play with it. I found that I really didn't like it very much and that Super Metroid became incredibly awkward, mostly because diagonals didn't work too well.
There's something about the precision of a keyboard and mouse setup that I just really like.
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Keyboard: Tetris, Tetris Attack, Touhou, Kirby's Dream Course, R-Type 3, RPGs
Gamepad: Everything else.
Additionally, I easily move from WASD movement to arrow key movement... I'm not good at keyboard and mouse setups, though.
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| Depends on the Console and Genre (Yes, UT3 on PS3 works with a USB Keyboard and Mouse. Along with other games.)
But thats my simple-short-post-answer.
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Keyboard for every game I have on the emulators I have.
If I can get enough money to buy a gamepad, I would buy one. Just to test how well I play with a gamepad. So far, I'm good at all the games I play.
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| Posted on 12-14-07 07:30:45 AM (last edited by Surlent at 12-14-07 04:31 AM) |
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Originally posted by Kirby Mario
Keyboard for every game I have on the emulators I have.
If I can get enough money to buy a gamepad, I would buy one. Just to test how well I play with a gamepad. So far, I'm good at all the games I play.
Well, there are all price ranges, but usually it might not be a good idea to invest way too much money in those common plastic pads, as they can wear out pretty quickly/and maybe have not that quality of a normal console controller (SNES and PS pads ftw in terms of durability!), if you play a lot of fighting games or intense puzzle games.
As stated, my Logitech precision pad is dying, but this is already the second one. Why I bought the same brand again? Since it was a bargain price ... but usually these tend to be around 8-12 Euro here. |
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Keyboard for every singleplayer game on computer.
Gamepad for every multiplayer game on computer.
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