Both. That is genuinely the answer. Neverness to Everness has proper native controller support, and neither option is the compromise choice. But the balance changes with what you are doing.
01 / Compatibility
Native support, not a workaround
Xbox One, Xbox Series, and PS5 DualSense controllers work on PC without needing Steam Input as a crutch. Xbox controllers have the smoothest route because Windows recognizes them at the operating-system level, with no extra drivers or configuration.
DualSense works too, including haptics over a wired USB-C connection. For adaptive-trigger behavior, connect by USB and disable Steam Input if it interferes with the game's native mapping. Remapping and button prompts live in Settings → Button, regardless of the device.
Plug it in, launch the game, and it works. That sounds like a low bar until you remember how many PC releases miss it.
02 / Head-to-head
How each input wins
Precision first
- Faster camera turns
- Cleaner ranged aiming
- More direct hotkeys
- Instant menu selection
Movement first
- Analog traversal
- Natural shoulder swaps
- Better vehicle handling
- Comfortable couch play
03 / Combat
A slight edge to mouse
Aiming precision and fast camera whips matter against bosses with tight dodge windows or precise skill-shots. Mouse and keyboard also places more abilities within direct reach, cutting down on menu movement when a fight gets chaotic.
Controller maps onto the three-character swap system better than expected. Character changes and elemental chains land naturally on shoulder buttons, while dodging with an analog stick feels deliberate. The raw precision gap is real, but it is small enough that controller-first players should not retrain out of fear.
Mouse and keyboard for ranged precision and the hardest timing windows. Controller remains fully competitive for ordinary encounters.
04 / The open world
Controller outside combat
Hethereau includes running, climbing, swimming, careful platforming and full vehicle sections. Analog movement handles all of that better than the binary input of WASD. The advantage gets clearer if you spend more time driving, fishing or managing your café than fighting anomalies.
Menus reverse the result. Directly clicking an item beats walking a cursor around with a stick. Many players settle into the practical hybrid: controller for the world, mouse for inventory and detailed loadout work.
05 / Quick fixes
When the controller acts up
- 01Wrong button prompts?
Disable Steam Input for NTE. This usually fixes Xbox icons appearing for a DualSense, or the reverse.
- 02No DualSense haptics?
Use a wired USB-C connection. Bluetooth does not expose every feature.
- 03Controller not detected?
Close the game completely, reconnect the controller, then relaunch.
- 04Aiming feels vague?
Adjust stick deadzone in Settings and check for latency from an older Bluetooth adapter.
06 / Common questions
Controls FAQ
Does NTE support controllers on PC?
Yes. Xbox controllers and PS5 DualSense work natively without third-party mapping software.
Do I need Steam Input?
No. In some DualSense setups, switching Steam Input off fixes button prompts and restores native behavior.
Can I switch inputs mid-session?
Yes. The most efficient setup is often controller for movement and mouse for menu-heavy sessions.
Is mouse and keyboard objectively better?
Only slightly in precision-heavy fights. Controller users are not at a meaningful disadvantage through most content.
Try both. Keep the one that disappears.
NTE is free, and changing controls costs nothing.
Install free on PC↗Last updated July 14, 2026 by the PerfGamer editorial team.
Sources: Game8 and GameWith controller-support guides.
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