What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
No. A controller is not presented as a requirement for Valor Mortis on PC. The official playtest announcement confirms keyboard remapping, while the Steam listing advertises “Full Controller Support.” Choose the device that fits your camera, movement and combat preferences rather than buying a controller solely to make the game playable.
What the official information confirms
Valor Mortis is a single-player, first-person action soulslike from One More Level and Lyrical Games. Its Steam listing identifies full controller support and specifically names Xbox controllers, DualShock controllers (USB only) and DualSense controllers (USB only). An official playtest announcement dated October 6, 2025 says the team added “keyboard remapping and multiple controller presets.” Those two facts establish that both input styles are intended options on PC.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Question | What is documented |
|---|---|
| Is a controller required? | No requirement is stated; keyboard remapping is documented. |
| Does the game support controllers? | Steam lists “Full Controller Support.” |
| Which controllers are named? | Xbox controllers, DualShock controllers (USB only) and DualSense controllers (USB only). |
| Can keyboard keys be changed? | Yes. The October 6, 2025 playtest announcement says keyboard remapping was added. |
| Are controller layouts configurable? | The same announcement says multiple controller presets were added. |
| What development state was the playtest in? | The announcement described the build as pre-alpha, with performance and optimization still planned areas of improvement. |
| What release date does Steam list? | October 13, 2026, as a planned release date on the cited listing. |
The planned date is a store-listing entry, not evidence of a particular build’s final performance or of any later change in availability. If you are checking the game after that date, use the current Steam page for the latest status; the documented controller and remapping details above are the relevant compatibility evidence.
Keyboard and mouse versus controller: the practical difference
Neither input method has been shown in an authoritative head-to-head test to be objectively faster or more effective in Valor Mortis. The differences below are consequences of the devices themselves, so treat them as preference guidance rather than game-specific benchmarks.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
Camera and aiming comfort
A mouse gives you direct, high-resolution camera movement. If you are accustomed to first-person games on PC, you may find it natural to turn, check angles and make small camera corrections with the mouse. That does not prove a combat advantage: sensitivity, desk space, posture and personal training all affect comfort.
A controller uses a right analog stick for the camera. Its movement is continuous, and the same hand remains on the stick while the left hand operates movement. Players who prefer a consistent twin-stick layout, or who play from a sofa or with the keyboard out of reach, may find that arrangement easier to sustain.
Movement feel
Keyboard movement is normally directional and discrete: a key is pressed or released rather than moved through a range. An analog stick can vary its direction and travel continuously. The distinction can matter when you want a controlled walk, a full-speed run or a small positional adjustment, but the official material does not establish how Valor Mortis maps movement speed to either device.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #2
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
Combat layout
Soulslike play commonly asks you to combine movement, camera control, attacks, defense or parry actions, a dash and special abilities. On a keyboard, those actions can be assigned across many keys, letting you distribute commands to suit your hand size and reach. On a controller, the number of physical buttons is smaller, so a preset may group actions around bumpers, triggers, face buttons or stick clicks. Whether one arrangement feels better depends on which commands you want available without lifting a thumb from movement or camera control.
Do not read “multiple controller presets” as a promise that every possible action can be placed on every button. It confirms that more than one layout is available; the exact actions and names can vary by build.
Remapping and consistency
The playtest announcement explicitly confirms keyboard remapping and multiple controller presets. That gives keyboard-and-mouse players a documented way to move commands to reachable keys and gives controller players more than one starting layout. It does not establish that either system has unlimited remapping, custom macros or identical options. Check the controls screen in the build you are using.
Rank #3
- RGB Cool Lightning Bolt & Long Battery Life: Switch controller with lightening bolt style and 9-color LED looks really cool; 4 light modes: solid lights, breathing lights, RGB strobe led light and led off; Fully charged: 3-4 hours, Runtime: 10-15 hours
- Widly Compatible & One-key Pairing/Wake Up: The switch pro controller is compatible with Switch/Lite/OLED/PC Windows 7/8/10 (only wrok for pc under wired connection); 2 pairing ways; Support one key to wake up your switch console
- Programmable Button & 3 Speeds Turbo: Switch controllers has simplify complex skill operations with M1/M2 key; Support single and multiple mapping; 3 adjustable burst: 5 shots/s, 12 shots/s and 20 shots/s; Programming and Turbo will maximize game play
- Sensitive Motion Control & 4-Level Nice Vibration: 6-axis gyro sensor help you react quickly, enhance experience in sports games; Buttons and joysticks are responsive, no lag; Dual vibration motors with 4-level feedback: Strong, Medium, Weak and None
- Great Gift For All People: This cool switch controller will be great gifts for women, men, girl, boy, family and friends; Packing list: 1 X Wireless switch controller, 1 X Type-C cable, 1 X Detailed user manual, 1 X Cool gift box
Choose keyboard and mouse if these priorities fit you
- You already aim with a mouse in first-person games. The direct camera input may feel immediately familiar.
- You want many physical keys. A full keyboard provides more locations for attacks, movement, abilities and utility commands than a compact gamepad.
- You plan to remap around your own reach. Keyboard remapping is specifically documented for the playtest.
- You do not own a compatible controller. Nothing in the cited material says you must purchase one to play on PC.
- Your desk setup favors precise mouse movement. This is an ergonomic choice, not a claim of superior in-game performance.
A sensible keyboard setup process
- Start with the game’s keyboard layout rather than assuming a remembered layout from another soulslike.
- Open the controls or settings screen and identify the remapping options confirmed in the playtest announcement.
- Put movement and the most frequently combined combat actions where your left hand can reach them without stretching.
- Keep camera control on the mouse if that is your established first-person habit, and choose a sensitivity that lets you make small corrections without running out of desk space.
- Test the complete sequence you expect to use—movement, camera adjustment, attack, defense or parry, dash and ability—before starting a serious run.
- If two actions conflict or feel awkward, change one binding at a time and retest. A layout that looks logical on paper may be uncomfortable during simultaneous inputs.
The exact action names and available key combinations can change while the game is being developed, so treat this as a method rather than a list of guaranteed menu labels.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Choose a controller if these priorities fit you
- You prefer analog movement. The stick allows variable travel instead of the keyboard’s on/off directional input.
- You already use a gamepad for action games. Familiar muscle memory can outweigh any theoretical advantage of another device.
- You want a compact, consistent layout. A controller keeps movement and camera on the two sticks, with combat commands clustered around the remaining controls.
- You play away from a desk. A controller can be more practical for a television or sofa setup, provided the connection is recognized by the PC.
- You value preset layouts over designing bindings. The playtest announcement confirms multiple controller presets.
Controller models and connection limits documented for the game
| Controller family | Support stated on the Steam listing | Connection qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox controllers | Named under full controller support | The listing names the family but does not state a USB-only limitation. |
| DualShock controllers | Named under full controller support | USB only, according to the listing. |
| DualSense controllers | Named under full controller support | USB only, according to the listing. |
“USB only” is important: the cited listing does not promise wireless operation for DualShock or DualSense. Connect those devices by cable when following the documented compatibility information. The listing does not enumerate every model or third-party pad, so an unlisted device should not be treated as guaranteed merely because it works with another PC game.
A sensible controller setup process
- Connect the controller before launching the game, using USB for DualShock or DualSense because that is the connection specified by the listing.
- Confirm that the operating system and Steam recognize the device, then launch Valor Mortis.
- Open the control settings and review the available controller presets identified by the playtest announcement.
- Choose the preset that places your most-used combat commands where your fingers naturally rest.
- Practice the full movement-and-combat sequence in a low-risk situation. Check that you can control the camera while moving and reach defensive, dash and ability commands without an awkward grip.
- If the build offers controller remapping in addition to presets, make one change at a time and verify it immediately. If it offers only presets, select the closest layout rather than assuming a custom binding exists.
Is Valor Mortis better with a controller?
There is no verified basis for an objective “better” verdict. The authoritative information confirms compatibility, not comparative frame-time, input-latency, accuracy or completion-rate testing. A controller is a strong fit for someone who values analog movement and an established gamepad layout. Keyboard and mouse is a strong fit for someone who prioritizes direct mouse camera control and broad key remapping. Those are conditional recommendations, not performance measurements.
Rank #4
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
For a player who owns both, the most useful test is short and repeatable: use the same display, sensitivity goals and combat sequence with each device, then judge fatigue, accidental inputs and how quickly you can reach defensive and movement commands. Keep the device that lets you concentrate on timing instead of on your hands.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the pre-alpha status means for input decisions
The October 6, 2025 announcement described the playtest build as pre-alpha and said performance and optimization were still planned areas of improvement. That qualification matters when you interpret stutter, inconsistent response or a rough settings screen during a test build. It is not evidence that either input method is inherently unreliable, nor is it a guarantee that every control option will remain unchanged.
Use the documented features as the baseline—keyboard remapping, multiple controller presets and the listed controller families—while allowing for menu names, bindings and device behavior to change before or after the planned October 13, 2026 release date.
Best Value
- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
- 【Innovative Intelligent Interactive Screen】Manba One V2 wireless game controllers create a new era of controller screens; Equipped with a 2-inch display, no App & software needed, you can set the pc controller directly through the screen visualization, More convenient operation
- 【Micro Switch Button】Manba One wireless controller has Micro Switch Button and ALPS Bumper; The 6-axis gyroscope function makes switch games more immersive
- 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click
Troubleshooting common input problems
The controller is not detected
- For DualShock or DualSense, replace a wireless attempt with a direct USB connection, because the listing specifies USB only for those families.
- Reconnect the cable, confirm the device appears to the operating system and restart the game after the connection is recognized.
- Check the in-game controls screen for a controller preset. If only keyboard prompts appear, verify the controller before changing combat bindings.
- If the device is an unlisted third-party model, compatibility is not established by the cited listing; try a named Xbox, DualShock or DualSense device if available.
The layout feels wrong
- On keyboard, return to the remapping screen and move the most frequently combined actions to reachable keys.
- On controller, try each available preset before assuming the gamepad is unsuitable.
- Test movement, camera, attack, defense or parry, dash and supernatural ability inputs together. A binding can work in isolation and still be uncomfortable during a combination.
Performance or response seems inconsistent in the playtest
Do not use a pre-alpha symptom as proof that the controller or keyboard is at fault. The announcement specifically says performance and optimization remained areas for improvement. First reproduce the issue with the other input method, then note whether it follows the device or the build. That distinction prevents you from buying new hardware to solve a software issue.
Bottom line for PC players
You do not need a controller to play Valor Mortis on PC based on the documented information. Keyboard remapping is officially supported in the announced playtest, and the Steam page lists full controller support for Xbox controllers plus USB-connected DualShock and DualSense controllers. Select keyboard and mouse for mouse-camera control and flexible key placement; select a controller for analog movement and a familiar gamepad layout. Neither choice has a documented objective advantage, so comfort and reliable setup are the deciding factors.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
