Have you just launched Once Human, ready to explore its vast post-apocalyptic open world, only to find your controller is completely unresponsive? This is a very common problem on PC, especially for owners of PlayStation controllers (DualSense PS5 or DualShock 4). Don't panic—you're in the right place. Follow this guide to get your controller working in under 5 minutes and transform your gaming experience.
THE EXPRESS FIX: Force Detection via Steam
This simple setting is the cause of 99% of controller issues. Try this first:
- In your Steam Library, right-click on Once Human > Properties.
- Go to the "Controller" tab.
- From the drop-down menu, select "Enable Steam Input".
- Relaunch the game. Your controller (even a PS5 DualSense) should now be recognised.
To understand why this works and to fine-tune your settings to dominate the game, read on.
The Detailed Configuration Guide for Perfect Control
Now that your controller is detected, let's understand why this step was necessary and how you can customise your experience.
Why Does This Problem Happen? Understanding the Role of "Steam Input".
Most PC games, especially a complex multiplayer survival game like Once Human, are developed to natively understand the "language" of Xbox controllers (known as XInput). PlayStation controllers speak a different language. Steam Input acts as an incredibly powerful universal "translator". By enabling it, you're telling Steam to convert your controller's signals into a format the game will understand without fail. This is why the in-game button icons often appear as Xbox prompts, even when you're playing with a PlayStation controller.
Step-by-Step: Enabling and Configuring Steam Input for Once Human
- Ensure your controller is properly connected to your PC.
- Open Steam and go to your Library.
- Right-click on Once Human and select "Properties...".
- In the window that opens, click on the "Controller" tab on the left.
- In the "Override for Once Human" drop-down menu, make sure "Enable Steam Input" is selected.
- Close the window and launch the game.
How to Change Your Button Mapping via the Steam Interface
Once you're in the game, you can press Shift + Tab to open the Steam Overlay. At the top of the screen, you'll see a "Controller Configuration" option. From here, you can change the assignment of every button, adjust stick deadzones, and much more.
Your Controller is Working, But Is It Optimised for Survival?
Getting the controller to work is one thing. Surviving in the hostile world of Once Human is another. This is where the limitations of a standard controller become obvious in survival games.
The Challenge of Once Human: Aim, Move, Craft, and Use Skills... All at Once.
Once Human is a demanding multiplayer survival game. Between managing your post-apocalyptic ranch and focusing on the fishing mini-game, you need to be efficient in all situations. But it's in combat, facing an Aberrant creature or one of the formidable super Anomalies, that a controller is put to its greatest test.
The Limit of a Standard Controller: Having to Let Go of the Aim Stick to Press an Action Button.
With a classic controller, to reload (Square/X button) or to heal yourself (via the item wheel), you have to take your thumb off the right stick—the one that controls your aim. That split second where you're not controlling your reticle is often the difference between defeating a super Anomaly and a trip back to the spawn point.
The Pro Solution: Gain a Competitive Edge with a Performance Controller
To overcome this limitation, you need equipment designed for performance.
The Decisive Advantage of Rear Paddles in a Survival Shooter.
Imagine being able to reload, jump, dodge, or heal without your right thumb ever leaving the aim stick. That's precisely what the rear paddles located underneath the controller allow. By assigning your most crucial actions to them, you maintain total control of the situation, even in the heart of chaos. Your fluidity and responsiveness in combat are massively increased.
The Recommended Setup: The Nacon Revolution 5 Pro
For a game as demanding as Once Human, the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro isn't a luxury; it's a strategic advantage.
A Pro Mapping for Once Human: 4 Paddles to Maintain Total Control.
Assign your vital actions to the 4 paddles for maximum efficiency:
- Top-left paddle: Use quick-slot medkit.
- Bottom-left paddle: Dodge.
- Top-right paddle: Jump.
- Bottom-right paddle: Reload.
With this setup, your thumbs only ever have to manage movement and aiming, which is essential when facing a super Anomaly.
Increased Aiming Precision with Customisation Software.
The dedicated software for the R5P allows you to adjust the response curve of the right stick. You can opt for a curve that favours slow, precise micro-adjustments near the centre, while retaining rapid turns at the outer edge. Ideal for lining up headshots.
Built to Last with Magnetic Hall Effect Joysticks.
The long hours of farming and fighting in Once Human will put any hardware through its paces. Thanks to its magnetic technology, the Revolution 5 Pro is immune to "stick drift," guaranteeing precision that won't degrade over time.
FAQ: Common Questions About Controllers in Once Human
The game shows Xbox icons but I have a PlayStation controller. Is this normal?
Yes, this is perfectly normal and a sign that Steam Input is working correctly. As explained above, Steam "translates" your controller into an Xbox controller so the game can understand it. Ignore the on-screen icons and rely on the button layout of your own controller.
Is a controller suitable for side activities like fishing?
Yes, absolutely. The fishing system is often even more enjoyable with a controller. The vibrations can help you react at the right moment during the fishing mini-game, making the experience more intuitive than with a mouse.
How do I adjust the camera sensitivity if it's too high by default?
Following the latest update, some players find the sensitivity too high. The first thing to do is check the in-game options. Go to Settings > Controller and look for the "Camera Sensitivity" or "Aim Sensitivity" sliders. Lower them until you find a comfortable level. If that's not enough, the advanced options in Steam Input or your pro controller's software will allow for finer adjustments.
Is full native support planned by the developers?
This is a very frequent request from the player community. While the developers at Starry Studio have not yet made an official announcement, it's common for controller support to be improved over time with updates. An improvement to native support is therefore possible in future patches, especially after the game's official release.
