What do you think of YOUR controls?

Sat Aug 28, 2004 4:01 pm by mertens

I'm just curious as to how happy you are with your control set-up. I have recently started to play the PC version after a year with the Dreamcast version. I have to say that the controls are masterful and intuitive on the Dreamcast now that I have seen all the controls the PC version offers. Not everything made it to the DC, but the controls are perfect. So I tried to play SL with a basic joystick, but it was still very complicated for me. I bought a PC joybox and hooked up my DC controller, but even that wasn't great. Something made my ship constantly accellerate. I have now settled on a Playstation controller and am happier. I only need to use the keyboard for a few things that don't really involve flying or shooting at the same time. The only problem I have is that acceleration and deceleration are controlled by the right joystick and I can't change it. So, when the joystick is idle, I go at half-speed and I have to move the joystick left or right to accelerate or decelerate and when I let go, it goes back to half-speed. I also wish the PS1 control-sticks had more resistance, it's hard to make precision turns with such a loos control-stick. I would say I am 80% as happy with the controls as I am using the DC version.

Well, that's my little rant. I love SL on the PC - the graphics, the added features, the 2 bonus demo missions - but the controls leave a little to be desired.

If you want to play DREAMCAST GAMES ONLINE, go to www.onlineconsoles.com and join the DC Online community.

Sat Aug 28, 2004 11:00 pm by Arania

My control setup:
Logitec Wingman Interceptor
Trigger - Under trigger finger (Well duh!)
Missiles - Under right thumb
Target unter reticle - Right middle finger
Missile slider - Under trigger
Throttle - Under left palm
Reverse thrust - Above throttle
Jump - Above RT
Afterburner - Under throttle
Cloak - Under left thumb

And i keep powerball, gunnery, damage and wing status displays locked and Radar at full at all times.

Sun Aug 29, 2004 2:58 am by Pure

HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) is the answer. All your commonly used controls should be on your stick or throttle. Target nearest enemy, next enemy, guns and missiles are all on my stick while my hat controls missile and capital ship sub-target selection. On my throttle are afterburners, reverse thrust and two spare buttons I configure according to what mission I'm doing - target friendly, target torpedo or whatever.
I don't put jump on the stick because you rarely, if ever, use it in combat. Likewise I rarely use the powerball, except on the rare occasions I fly a Grendal in which case I remove all power to the guns since it's gatling plasma's don't need energy. Makes it fast and tough but it still steers like a cow.

Ban REVERSE THRUST! Fly something other than a phoenix for a change!

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