Are PC versions of modern racing games impossible to beat without a controller?

Up until 2006 or 2007, I was able to easily beat most racing games with just my keyboard. But I find that most modern racing games are almost impossible to beat without a controller. For example, I found the later part of Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2010 extremely tough to play with a keyboard and mouse, especially while taking turns. In fact, I gave up playing the game after losing a particularly tough race more than 50 times. But when I attempted the same race on my friend's PC using his controller, I was able to come first in just my third attempt. This is just one example, and I have found this to be true with most modern racing games. I certainly feel that developers of modern racing games take it for granted that every PC gamer owns a controller too.

I know that most PC gamers on this site own a controller, but to the very few who actually play racing games with your keyboard, do you feel the same was as me, or are you comfortable playing such games with your keyboard?

It was the time trial sections of Blur that convinced me to get a controller. Even with repeated efforts, it (seemed) impossible to get through one section in under 14 seconds.

I went and bought a controller and got under the magic time in my first or 2nd attempt.

But really, it makes sense - you don't drive a car by putting the steering on full lock repeatedly or jamming the throttle to the floor (or not at all).

It was the time trial sections of Blur that convinced me to get a controller. Even with repeated efforts, it (seemed) impossible to get through one section in under 14 seconds.

I went and bought a controller and got under the magic time in my first or 2nd attempt.

But really, it makes sense - you don't drive a car by putting the steering on full lock repeatedly or jamming the throttle to the floor (or not at all).

LordRork

I know it makes sense, but a controller is not a standard PC accessory. So if the game is impossible to beat without a controller, they should at least mention 'controller recommended', right?

Racing games are one genre where analog controls give you a much larger degree of precision than the digital controls of a keyboard. As games introduce more complex physics, the analog control is needed to keep up with the game.

I don't even bother to play games with a lot of driving with a keyboard anymore. Digital inputs aren't very good in those situations.

Trackmania 2 is almost just as good on the keyboard as a pad. Even though it's "arcade" don't claim it's noobish are easy, it pretty far from it.

Trackmania 2 is almost just as good on the keyboard as a pad. Even though it's "arcade" don't claim it's noobish are easy, it pretty far from it.

uninspiredcup

The only racing game series I play with keyboard.

It's more of a bigger issue in general.  I personally love my PC with a controller.  Any game that supports it I typically use a controller with unless its a shooter or RTS. 

There are just simply some games that require specific control settings that a PC alone cannot accomplish.  Fighting games, racing games, platformers, and many other games out there are just better on a controller.  

I love my PC, but I recognize that it has shortcomings.  A few usb controllers fixed just about everything. 

Ehh....I've played all the Needs for Speeds with a keyboard and finished all of them. Some levels were challenging (last level of the original Hot Pursuit for example), but by no means impossible. Don't know why you mention mouse though. I just use the keyboard when racing.FelipeInside

I never meant to mention the mouse, but I'm so used to saying 'keyboard and mouse', that I just typed it out of habit.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]Ehh....I've played all the Needs for Speeds with a keyboard and finished all of them. Some levels were challenging (last level of the original Hot Pursuit for example), but by no means impossible. Don't know why you mention mouse though. I just use the keyboard when racing.funkyzoom

I never meant to mention the mouse, but I'm so used to saying 'keyboard and mouse', that I just typed it out of habit.

Racing games are one genre where analog controls give you a much larger degree of precision than the digital controls of a keyboard. As games introduce more complex physics, the analog control is needed to keep up with the game.

I don't even bother to play games with a lot of driving with a keyboard anymore. Digital inputs aren't very good in those situations.

Wasdie

Id say yes for any driving game that has physics worth a damn. You need to ability to have analog breaking and throttling because you not always gonna want to be full throttle or full brakes. For turning you need the precision for minor corrections that analog steering provides. Otherwise you're gonna have a hard time controlling the cars especially at high speeds where that lack Of precision usually ends in a crash.

[QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]Ehh....I've played all the Needs for Speeds with a keyboard and finished all of them. Some levels were challenging (last level of the original Hot Pursuit for example), but by no means impossible. Don't know why you mention mouse though. I just use the keyboard when racing.FelipeInside

I never meant to mention the mouse, but I'm so used to saying 'keyboard and mouse', that I just typed it out of habit.

Well....I do use the mouse during the driving parts of games like GTA, especially to realign the camera when I turn, because if i don't do that it takes ages to realign by itself.

I have never bought a racing game for my PC. I just feel like it would be very uncomfortable to play it on a keyboard instead of a controller. Just my opinion, I never tried out a racing game on the PC.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="funkyzoom"]

 

I never meant to mention the mouse, but I'm so used to saying 'keyboard and mouse', that I just typed it out of habit.

funkyzoom

Well....I do use the mouse during the driving parts of games like GTA, especially to realign the camera when I turn, because if i don't do that it takes ages to realign by itself.

[QUOTE="C_Rule"]If you're a fan of racing games, why are you playing them with a keyboard? That's dumb.FelipeInside

input device you can pickup for <$40C_Rule

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="C_Rule"]If you're a fan of racing games, why are you playing them with a keyboard? That's dumb.C_Rule

played all my racing games since the 90s with keyboard, never had any issues

[QUOTE="C_Rule"]input device you can pickup for <$40superclocked

I'll grab an x1 controller well day 1, tired of tinkering with drivers.

@tc, I played much dirt 2 on hard difficulty I think with a mix of kb or controller, plays well and better feel than dirt 3.

I play all my racing games on my racing wheel, so even a controller feels wierd to me. I can't imagine how u would play it on a keyboard, how do u control the throttle, breaks, and steering lock?

Yes. I've noticed this trend over the past several years. The early NFS games I had zero issues beating on a keyboard, the newer ones are quite difficult. And, here I thought it was just me. Glad to see I was wrong on that count...

I have never bought a racing game for my PC. I just feel like it would be very uncomfortable to play it on a keyboard instead of a controller. Just my opinion, I never tried out a racing game on the PC.

IAAGguy

If you're a fan of racing games, why are you playing them with a keyboard? That's dumb.C_Rule

No, I'm NOT a fan of racing games. I mainly play action and adventure games (both 1st and 3rd person), and shooters. For these types of games, keyboard and mousee is the best. I play racing games only occasionally, so it wouldn't make sense for me to invest in a controller.

Racing games are one genre where analog controls give you a much larger degree of precision than the digital controls of a keyboard.

Wasdie

Who the hell would play Trackmania with a controller?

Flying is better with a controller, too...superclocked

Depends on the game.

Do you honestly believe flying jets in BF3 is easier with a controller? That's hilarious. 

You need a joystick PERIOD to play DCS.

I don't know why anybody would anything other then M+K and a joystick on PC for flying.

Don't use console ports as an example because the controls for those games are terrible and not done properly for mouse and keyboard.