To Gamepad or not Gamepad?

Heres a short backstory. I bought transformers and finished the first four or 5 chapters. I loved it, i dunno why, maybe its cause i love THE transformer's franchise or maybe cause there werent any similar action games in that specific release date time frame, or even maybe cause it ran flawless on my not so great system. Great, i loved it. After the first 5 chapters i bought a tv and put it in my room, and if you're gonna have a tv in your room(which isnt on your desk) you're probably gonna need a gamepad. So i bought a gamepad with it, and i forced myself to learn how to play using this gamepad. I died,, alot, didnt enjoy the game as much, and halfway through the chapter, i caved and went back to the mouse and keyboard, and boy was it fun again.

I'm playing mafia now. Loving it so far. But in order for me to be able to play on my bed, i need to use my gamepad. I tried it and well, its really hard. I miss out on alot of things. When im walking through the guy's house i feel so clumsy, everything feels forced and awkward, not really exploring as i would on a mouse. I died 10 times during the first gunfight, THE FIRST. And that is something that i wouldve been able to do with my feet on the mouse.

So whats my problem? I need some words of wisdom from people who have treaded this path before. Is this something i will eventually master. Will i eventually become as smooth(or somewhat close to) what i am on the mouse. Or is this what playing on a gamepad really looks like. I dunno. Something.

PS: Games without aiming felt great on the gamepad(POP).

For anything where you need to move and aim quick, I'd obviously recommend mouse and keyboard. But for everything else, especially games that are multiplats and work well on consoles, often work well with a gamepad. Are you referring to Mafia 2? I recently made a switch from kb+mouse to gamepad, because I found the cars very difficult to control on simulation mode using a keyboard. W key is like an on/off switch for the throttle, so I was constantly burning my tires all over the road.

I never found the shooting mechanics to be exceptionally difficult with a gamepad.. maybe you just need to spend a bit more time with it and get used to it? btw if you're dying in Mafia.. just use more cover! And pop out for a second to shoot a couple dudes.

I believe that gamepads and the keyboard/mouse combo have nearly equal potential in the right hands. Search YouTube for videos of people playing online FPSs, for example, and you'll see that it can be pretty hard to tell what type of input device the better players are using. Like any skill, it just takes time to develop, and even then, you may naturally just be better with a keyboard and mouse.

A real pc gamer will always use m&k first over anything else, nuff' said.

A real pc gamer will always use m&k first over anything else, nuff' said.

Kragspire

Really that defines a PC gamer? I thought it was anyone who likes to play games on PC, Anyways back to the original question, its really preference. If you have consoles and don't want to take the time to get used the mouse and keyboard combination then get a 360 controller for the PC or any other gamepad, if yoiu want to take the time then learn the mouse and keyboard but it really comes down to which one do you like?

It sure does, beyond your little Logitech gamepad for old school apogee games, you are defined by a m&k for the greatest moments in PC gaming. Anything beyond that is just trying to emulate a console, period.

I don't know about 'Real PC Gamers' but some games are just designed and work better with a Game Pad. This includes Racing Games, Platformers and Open World Driving Games (such as GTA and Mafia).

What gets me know is Tactical Shooters that encourage you to use a game pad as the main choice of control (I'm looking at you Operation Flashpoint - Dragon Rising)

At the end of the day I guess you Play with what ever suits you. Me I would also use a game pad to play Mafia but never to play a FPS

When playing any game that involves driving, you can totally control the speed of your car with a gamepad (Judging from my 360 controller) as compared to the WASD or arrow keys on the KB.

I use my gamepad (xbox 360 wired controller) for my emulated SNES games as well as any racing game. I find Racing games much nicer when using analog sticks & triggers to control the vehicle. I also used the gamepad for fighting games (Street Fighter IV).

It sure does, beyond your little Logitech gamepad for old school apogee games, you are defined by a m&k for the greatest moments in PC gaming. Anything beyond that is just trying to emulate a console, period.

Kragspire

If it's in 3rd person I generally use a 360 pad.

M+K is the only true option if you are playing a game with shooter mechanics (FPS, TPS, or action), despite what some will tell you console controllers have nowhere near the accuracy of a mouse setup. That being said I do prefer controllers for action/adventure games like PoP and AC, it makes them easier to control since the hotkeys and abilities are closer at hand, but that just my preference.

If you don't think M+K beats controllers hands down then just look at this article

I usually use an xbox 360 controller for action games, like Mafia 2, HAWX, Just Cause 2, Batman AA. It just feels right to me. If you're going to use a controller, I stronlgy suggest getting one of those instead of a madcatz or something.

I use K/M for most games, and the Xbox controller for those that need one, like DMC4.

I use Kb&M for shooters, with the exception of Rainbow 6 Vegas. Mirrors Edge is also an utter mess on Kb&M. It just boils down to what feels comfortable depending on the game.

For games that have no or poor gamepad support, I use Xpadder. Its wonderfull. It allowsyou to do all sort of macro's and functions on a pad. You can also get rumble, and dead zones which can really help out for clumsy pads.