Starfield: Which is better? Keyboard vs. controller

Bethesda’s expansive spacefaring RPG is packed with in-depth activities that require precise controls to master. With most FPS games, a keyboard and mouse setup provides gamers with an optimal level of precision, but a controller is a viable choice for Starfield too.

The developers’ focus on making Starfield a comprehensive console experience makes the decision surprisingly tricky, especially considering space flight is the main form of traversal. If you’re undecided about whether to play Starfield with a keyboard and mouse or a controller, look no further, as this guide will help you choose.

Should you play Starfield with a controller or keyboard?

Playing Starfield with a controller

Pros:

• Shooting and movement feel more accurate than other console games
• Walking speed is tied to analog sensitivity
• Radial menus work best with control sticks
• Realistic space travel movement

Cons:

• Lack of aim assist and gyro makes shooting difficult for new controller users
• There are lots of controller commands that can be hard to memorize
• Starfield is only designed with Xbox controllers in mind

Microsoft’s involvement with Starfield helped ensure its console controls work well. Shooting and movement feel surprisingly accurate compared to using a mouse, which is particularly impressive as the Xbox gamepad doesn’t utilize gyro controls. Outside of this, almost every other element feels tailor-made for controllers.

You’ll frequently use radial menus, which work best with a control stick, to manage your character stats, inventory, and Starmap, with each planet having a different gravitational pull. Navigating all this without the sensitivity and freedom of movement of a control stick is cumbersome.

Strangely, Starfield’s encumbrance mechanic ties walking speed to analog stick sensitivity, and PC players are complaining that the default movement speed with a keyboard is painfully slow. Running is always an option, but excessive dashing causes tiredness, and, in some cases can even cost you health. Movement feels better on a controller overall.

By far the biggest reason to use a controller is for space travel and combat. Starfield uses a control scheme similar to flight simulators, rather than the arcade-style movement seen in most big-budget games. For those unfamiliar, flight sims incorporate additional degrees of movement that are hard to pull off with key presses alone.

It is possible to play Starfield with keyboard and mouse, and it’s a fine choice for those who aren’t used to (or simply don’t like) using a gamepad. While Starfield is designed from the ground up with controller support in mind, it isn’t a definitive way to play. Some players prefer Bethesda games with a classic PC setup, and Starfield is no different.

Playing Starfield with a mouse and keyboard

Pros:

• Focusing on items is easier with a mouse
• You can easily switch tabs to look up maps
• Mods are easier to use with keyboard and mouse controls

Cons:

• Space travel and combat feel less realistic
• Lack of aim assist makes shooting difficult for new mouse users
• Starfield does not take advantage of extra keyboard functionality

While we’d recommend using an Xbox controller to play Starfield if you have the choice, it’s not a total replacement for a keyboard and mouse setup. There are plenty of reasons to consider using a keyboard and mouse instead, especially if you enjoy using game-breaking cheats and mods.

Mods are one of the biggest staples of Bethesda titles, and they help improve the game’s longevity and user experience. Starfield mods are exclusive to the PC version, and you’ll have an easier time installing and configuring them if you’re using a keyboard and mouse rather than a controller. Modding opens up so much potential, and fans even created their own PS5 button prompt UI and spash screen for Starfield.

Keyboard controls tend to be more customizable than gamepad controls, and the same is true in Starfield, but there’s one big caveat. You can customize every function in the game, but there is an overwhelming number of key bindings available to edit, and this includes controls that shouldn’t be changed.

There are an astonishing 205 editable bindings, which makes it difficult to find the option you’re looking for, and can easily cause conflicts that are hard to resolve. If you’re willing to overcome the complexity, Starfield gives you the potential to create a good keyboard setup, but it won’t be easy.