# Anyone play Jade Empire or KOTOR on PC without a controller? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 13, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966 "2009-09-13T22:59:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/1 "2009-09-13T22:59:16Z")
Or KOTOR? I’m thinking about downloading them from D2D but I won’t have a controller. Anyone tried either of these without a controller? ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/2 "2009-09-13T23:28:03Z")
I played KOTOR without a controller. It’s fine. I didn’t even realise I _could_ use a controller on my first play-through. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/3 "2009-09-13T23:43:04Z")
Good lord, why would _want_ a controller? That game was perfect with a mouse and arrow keys. Controllers, as a general rule, are vastly less useful than a mouse and keyboard. Even with all its flaws, the M&K setup is usually better even for action games. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/4 "2009-09-14T00:15:16Z")
Yeah, I used keyboard for both, no problem. It was only strange because the key setups were different from what I’m used to in WoW, so I had to switch mental gears. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/5 "2009-09-14T02:11:10Z")
I just snagged KOTOR off Steam and the mouse/keyboard controls work fairly well so far. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/6 "2009-09-14T02:14:09Z")
Ten dollars for KOTOR? Where’s my wallet? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/7 "2009-09-14T03:08:53Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > Controllers, as a general rule, are vastly less useful than a mouse and keyboard. Even with all its flaws, the M&K setup is usually better even for action games. Agreed. You’re better off without them, even in Jade Empire, where hotkeys allow much quicker access to style changes. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/8 "2009-09-22T16:43:31Z")
Played both without a controller. Jade Empire can go either way but KOTOR would be a definite step down. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/9 "2009-09-22T20:03:43Z")
Played both. KOTOR was excellent with the M&K and I never even wondered about a controller. Jade Empire, on the other hand, screamed “shallow console RPG-lite port” from the get-go; while a controller would’ve made the experience more authentic, it still wouldn’t have made it a Worthwhile PC Game ™. Yes, I’m biased, why do you ask? Oh, and if you really want a controller, I think you can use a PS3 or Xbox 360 one. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/10 "2009-09-22T20:19:37Z")
Another person who played KOTOR I & II without a controller. I never, ever use one on my PC. I use a TracBall, too. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/11 "2009-09-22T20:39:05Z")
It never even occurred to me to use a controller to play KOTOR. I would have missed all kinds of stuff on the ground, I think. WASD and mouse worked very nicely, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![redgal83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecae2f/32.png) [@redgal83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redgal83)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/12 "2009-09-29T14:46:44Z")
Same here, I never even realized a controller was an option on my playthrough of KOTOR I and II and Jade Empire. I played no problem with the M&K setup. I actually don’t even own a controller for my PC and I’ve played many PC games without issue. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/13 "2009-09-29T15:59:02Z")
I always have played KOTOR (and KOTOR 2, with the restoration mod) using keyboard and mouse. If you have been playing much MMO, using A and D to turn about is second nature. I prefer using the mouse because of the mouse-looking, and navigating the menus. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/14 "2009-09-29T16:23:18Z")
Is the KOTOR 2 restoration mod any good? I was so disappointed with the game I never bothered with it. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/15 "2009-10-01T14:22:22Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Is the KOTOR 2 restoration mod any good? I was so disappointed with the game I never bothered with it. You can get it here: > **[Deadly Stream](https://deadlystream.com/)** (It’s not the team giza one, if you are wondering). The thing about the mod is that it puts in lots of end-game material. If you can’t stand the beginning, then it probably won’t improve the experience. KOTOR I is better all-around, from the beginning to the end. KOTOR II’s beginning is draggy. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/16 "2009-10-01T15:08:58Z")
> [@CrazyChop](#): > > KOTOR I is better all-around, from the beginning to the end. KOTOR II’s beginning is draggy. Gotta disagree. KOTOR II’s story is more interesting to me, the voice acting a little better on average. The mechanics are somewhat improved as well. The biggest issues for me has always been the hack job they did rushing it out the door. It’s the worst offender I’ve ever seen in that regard, at least among ostensibly good games. But each to their own :). I’m going to have to try that mod - thanks for the link. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/17 "2009-10-02T01:41:15Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Gotta disagree. KOTOR II’s story is more interesting to me, the voice acting a little better on average. The mechanics are somewhat improved as well. The biggest issues for me has always been the hack job they did rushing it out the door. It’s the worst offender I’ve ever seen in that regard, at least among ostensibly good games. I concur. Kreia put some much-needed nuance into The Force. KOTOR 1’s story was generic by comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/18 "2009-10-02T08:06:26Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > I concur. Kreia put some much-needed nuance into The Force. KOTOR 1’s story was generic by comparison. If I remember correctly (for KOTOR), the starting is exciting, but the plot is nothing to write home about. KOTOR 2, for me, is kind of drag, especially when in the Citadel station and right now I’m at Telos. I remember it picking up some traction after you got the hawk and you have interesting NPCs hiding all over the place. What kills the game for me is that 'hey I turn my own party into Jedis and they can’t come along with me for the last fight. WTH?" ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-play-jade-empire-or-kotor-on-pc-without-a-controller/509966/19 "2009-10-02T13:20:54Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > I concur. Kreia put some much-needed nuance into The Force. KOTOR 1’s story was generic by comparison. Also some not-really-needed nonsense, which is a good thing if you like the games to fit in with the movies. 😉