The review Steam Controller is an innovation among classical gamepads. Gamers are able to evaluate a rapid response touchpad and extensive customization device, but on the other hand, had to pass a thorny way of learning a new device. The device subjected to weekly testing, and now looks, whether run to the store or wait for the new revision.
It’s hard to believe how fast time flies. Still remember the exciting anticipation of the day when Valve first announced that they will not only develop their own operating system based on Linux and line of gaming PCs, called Steam Machines, but also its own gamepad.
Although the original design review Steam Controller and Steam OS is interesting, it is a little confusing at first. Since that day, more than two years, and in that time we’ve seen exactly one Steam Machine on the market (Alienware Alpha) and 14 more – in production.
When my admiration passed, stood uncomfortable questions. When will the review Steam Controller? What will distinguish it from the Xbox 360 gamepad, the standard for gaming on a PC? And then we got the bad news: the vision of the future by Steam is postponed, but not for a few months and several years. This delay frustrated me then, if not introduced into despair.
But it was not bad. Delayed release Valve has given time to refocus gamepad, revise it in the light of functionality, rather than design.
The review Steam Controller «smarter» competition with advanced software, responsiveness thanks, HD haptic touchpad and around the best prototype that we saw almost two years ago.
It is one of three components of how Valve sees the living room (SteamOS and Steam Machines – two other components), but as a single product, it is too limited mode Big Picture on Steam.
By their nature, Steam Controller – this is all involving the platform and its functionality today is very different from the functionality of six months ago. The only thing that remains the same is a design gamepad.
Design: review Steam Controller
Where the original version was attended by four central buttons, the so-called, lacked face buttons in the total opposite. We have 13 buttons gamepad, seven on the front and six on each side.
In the upper left corner is a touchpad and on the right are four colored buttons familiar – A, B, X, and Y – the same as in other touchpads. In the middle is the emblem of Steam, next to the Start button and Back.
Most of the front side of the gamepad occupies two circular touchpads. The left can be used for user commands – for example, for air strikes Battlefield – or for movement in most of the games, and the right camera is used to monitor and review. They are plastic, as does the gamepad, but have a matte finish for the convenience of fingers.
One of the concaves sticks with rubberized surface, like Xbox One. It is asymmetric without a second stick and leaves phantom sensation wrong every time you try to reach what is not.
Turning the gamepad, I found a few soft triggers, two bumper and hidden set of buttons where your fingers are on the inside surface of the handle. The latter is often found on modified versions of the PDP or gamepads by Mad Catz, but rarely at first, until the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller.
Bumpers are on the cover, which is hidden under the battery – virtually unique solution. I doubt that the use of standard AA batteries instead of rechargeable – a good idea, but the solution to reduce the cost gamepad understand.
Controller handles are rounded at the ends and concave in the middle. This is a serious departure from the classic design. On the one hand, it is easier to use a touchpad, because as the handle is raised above the hand thumb. On the other hand, so difficult to reach the buttons on the front side.
Inside the gamepad are gyroscope and accelerometer, allowing you to control the character directly gamepad movement in some games. Such projects are incredibly small, but it’s a matter of time.
Performance: review Steam Controller
The first game, in which I was able to play on review Steam Controller, has a demo version of Unreal Tournament.
Surprisingly, for the first time in the new game on the new controller, I played better than expected. To use the touchpad for guidance instead of the second stick had to get used to, but with the help auto guider, I stretched out on the positive reviews of murders to death.
However, it was not perfect, and certainly not as intuitive as the original Unreal Tournament with the mouse and keyboard.
After trying a gamepad in those games, which used to play with other controllers – The Binding of Isaac, Assassin’s Creed – There were no strong differences.
Perhaps for the FPS, like Team Fortress 2 or Counter-Strike Global Offensive, it is not. But every time I came across with the player with the gamepad Xbox 360, the creation of Microsoft was racing ahead. I am confident in the experience of dealing with the brainchild of games Valve.
Another problem is an incompatibility with another suspicious gamepad. I have heard of several situations in which sharing gamepad Xbox 360 and Steam Controller «Hung» PC, or when the mode is on Steam Big Picture Controller recognize as the less functional mouse. I sent to Valve bug reports, on being stopped.
Management crowdsourcing: review Steam Controller
Despite the fact that review Steam Controller for certain genres fit better than others, this does not mean that no one has come up with its revolutionary use.
When review Steam Controller will become the standard for gamers, they can develop their own schemes button settings, save them to your profile Steam, export them and share them with the community. Perhaps fans’ settings become even more popular than the official, in the case of expansion for World of Warcraft. It could save developers from having to come up with the ideal settings yourself.
Regarding the customization. Each button press knows how long the turbo effect. Each button can be clamped for a change of regime, allowing appointing a new team for each of the other buttons. Steam will keep your personal settings and displays the most popular strangers. This is the rabbit hole, which looked many gamers for many years.
Verdict: review Steam Controller
The review Steam Controller is rife with untapped potential – there full of “childhood diseases”. He is very much dependent on the community effort.
Design gamepad review Steam Controller rather strange, and cannot be circumvented. Rounded handle harder to keep and that is much worse, with them more difficult to reach the buttons A, B, X, Y, if you have small hands. Two-phase triggers – it is a good concept, but they are too soft and lack of ergonomics of the “hare” triggers (hair triggers).
Another fly in the ointment is a general feeling of a gamepad from both extravagant accessories, rather than as a serious competitor to market leaders. I liked not to play with the gamepad, and to do something different – for example, reassign the buttons on random teams.
The review Steam Controller is a living, changing peripherals that may be as revolutionary to improve your gaming experience, and leave a disastrous appearance. It differs from the other, but it’s good.
At the moment, unlike review Steam Controller that he – more innovation than ready to fight gamepad – if you need a last look closely to the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller – a most pleasant impression of it can remain funny sample schemes settings, to create a community.
If Valve and knows how to do – so this is to create a platform. This is only the first months after the start of the trial. Give gamepad and the community time to adjust functionality, and no one tells you when the ecosystem Steam blows you away.
If you are interested in new products, you want to see how to begin the next great idea Valve and think beyond your comfort zone, this gamepad – exactly what you are looking for.
Pros of the review Steam Controller:
- Extensive customization;
- Quick response touchpads;
- Creative mix of old and new.
Cons of the review Steam Controller
- The touchpad is sometimes inconvenient;
- It is not suitable for every genre;
- Too attached to the regime of Big Picture on Steam.
- Steam Controller front view
- Steam Controller: what is it?
Source: Techradar
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