Ideal controller for GTA4 (and the coming GTA5)

[bobland]

I'm going controller crazy. I play GTA4 the most because I love the total randomness and crazy environment. Kinda fits my brain just right.

I started out using the KB+M combo and had to practice driving a lot. And I mean a lot. Finally got to the point where with pure persistence I could get thru the missions. Then came driving a motorcycle. Could not for the life of me drive the thing. Kept crashing into everything on the screen. Finally, broke out the XBox controller and found I could handle the motorcycle enough to get the mission done. Also found I liked driving in general with it.

But...I couldn't shoot with it or walk a straight line. The controls were way too sensitive so I used both controller and jumped to KB+M when necessary. Now, I have to drive and shoot so the problem starts all over again. For a while I used an Orbweaver (I got this with reward points from BestBuy...ended up costing $2.10) but because of the shape of it I kept hitting wrong keys so I put that into storage.

I really like using the XBox controller but there's no adjustment for sensitivity. Of course, it would help if I had more coordination and wasn't as clumsy as I am, but one deals with what one is dealt with.

BTW, the Orbweaver is almost the perfect "left hand" controller. The problem, for me, is the ergonomics. My hand doesn't reach the "W" key without also tipping the "S" key so driving ends up with "burning rubber" as both forward and reverse are engaged at the same time. Also, what doesn't help me, is the fact that there is a bump on the "S" key. I need the bump on the "W" key so I remapped the keys down one row but that still didn't help.

Oh well, if you have a suggestion, I'm all ears...or eyes...whatever.

 

[Contrabardus]

I use half of a Razer Hydra for left hand control [movement] and a Razer Naga Mouse for aiming and function controls. That works out pretty well for me. It provides the movement and driving precision of an analogue controller, but with the benefits of aiming and menu navigating with the mouse.

This setup provides lots of programmable keys so I've got plenty for any control scheme plus at least a few hotkey functions as well. I very rarely have to use the keyboard for anything and even when I do it's usually only one or two keys that I don't use much in a game anyway.

The motion control on the Hydra works pretty well also. I only use it for melee and reload myself, but it's nice and frees up a couple of keys for other uses. I used it for jump and crouch for a while also, but found buttons were more reliable. Also, I don't recommend ever using motion control for grenades or other explosives on any motion controller ever. It seems like a good idea at first, but makes it too easy to blow yourself up accidentally.

This is hands down the best setup I've found for most games. I'll still use a 360 controller for some games, such as beat em up games like Batman AC, Fighting games, or old school type side scrollers, but for the majority of games I'm very satisfied with my dual Razer control setup. Especially with first person games or 3rd person games where shooting is a main function. I have a wheel for pure driving games, otherwise I'd be using the 360 controller for those types of games as well.

 

[bobland]

I read your comments about the Hydra a while ago and based on that I bought it. However, for a uncoordinated klutz like me I found it too difficult and sent it back. I appreciate your thoughts tho and thank you for them.