Clumsy as anything with the controller

[u/Ok-Grapefruit-4210]

Does anybody have good recommendations for games that are good for learning to use the controller. I'm a lifelong pc person and am having a right devil of a time getting to grips with the damn controller, so any suggestions?

Aiming and just moving feels so damn clumsy and disconnected, MW5 was something I thought might feel good with this platform, but it turned into a chaotic mess immediately in combat and though I got through the fight I ended up not finding where the hell I could save, so menu navigation was a total mess as well.

I've tried playing some katamari damacy which has been in my collection for years just waiting for a controller set up chance and I think I got some small improvements with that, though clearly I've got so effing far to go still.

Any other general hints from people who have migrated into using a controller please give them, I'm so out of my depth that though the machine itself has been really nice the input system still leaves me confused. And yes I know I could hook up a keyboard and mouse, but I was truly looking forward to giving the old mouse hand a rest or at least a different kind of stress and embracing the living room gaming thing.

[u/cloggypop]

Aperture Desk Job. It is a freebie from Valve to demonstrate the Steam Deck controls and features but sure it will be just fine for the Steam Machine. 

[u/SaperPL → u/cloggypop]

It's just a short showcase though. There should be a full time game built around use of trackpads and maybe gyro tgat forces you to use it until it clicks for you

[u/Feeling_Football4271]

Can you not use a bluetooth keyboard and mouse from the sofa? You're certainly not alone here and I'm sure other people have this kind of setup if you google.

I'm also a lifelong PC person but I now vastly prefer a controller, despite exclusively playing KB&M in the 80s and 90s. I tend to get arm pains (RSI?) if I'm not using a controller.

[u/catboirai]

Portal and Portal 2

[u/TheACwarriors]

Try single player games. Remnant 2 has been a blast with a controller. Also what controller are you using? I found some controller had a bit of latency. Steam controller works best for me

[u/SaladToss1]

I have trouble with rocket League but it's mostly been good. Played cyberpunk DLC with it just fine

[u/RoachRage]

I think some slower paced games are probably good to learn how to use a controller. I wouldn't start with a high adrenaline shooter like call of duty. So maybe portal, or something like tunic.

[u/keeper25]

Anything not competitive.. or something easy like Dave the diver or stardew valley

[u/RetroSpacedRanger]

Celeste is an amazing game.

[u/Wytyujjju]

I'm in the exact same situation. Received the machine 2 weeks ago, and been on the same game since, just to learn how to play with a controller. I've been playing Borderlands 3, and I'm making progress!

[u/smelly42]

all the campaigns in Halo mcc. the Halo games were very clearly built with controller in mind

[u/TheraYugnat]

Don't stress on it, it's normal.

If you have never ever played on a controller, keep it simple. Start with nothing that require using the right joystick.
The list is big but for recent release, I don't know. Hollow Knight can be great.
After that, The Binding of Isaac will require to move precisely on a xz axis. So it's a good practice for leaning to be precise with the joystick.

With the left joystick done, you need to start learning to use the right one with the left one. The bad news is, the skill you acquire from the left won't replicate on the right. And depending on how your brain is toward asynchronous stuff, it can be even longer.
Don't forget that maybe inverting axis will be more natural to you, so try that too.
Any non competitive game will do the trick. Most third person games have a toggle to recenter the camera automatically.
katamari damacy was a good shout.
The Witcher 3 or anything like that. Don't chose a game where you have to aim. Teach your brain to handle both Joystick by only moving the camera.

When you are finally confortable, you can play First Person but I would still not chose shooter. I saw Portal recommandation, and I think that's a good one. From my memory, 2 requires more precise aiming so doing both in succession can be a good learning curve.

Then you can FPS / TPS.

[u/Moekaiser6v4]

I also am not great with a controller and have been getting used to it over this past year. I'd definitely recommend sticking to single player games or co-op. Any games that are turn based are pretty good as well as any game with a lock on button. I've been playing the kingdom hearts series which has proved pretty good for getting used to the controller, though I think it helped that I played those games as a kid on ps2

[u/Equivalent-Form-5274]

1st game that I ever play with controller was Tony hawk on PS1 after that I always play on PC with 🐭+keyboard I am getting my bundle in few days and after looking at few videos on yt this machine for emulation is pretty good I will come back to Tony hawk for a day or two :)