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When the Thrustmaster eSwap arrived for review, I was excited. As a game critic, I play a lot of video games, and I’ve been using the same DualShock controller for a long time. My real controller love, though, is the Xbox One controller; it’s more comfortable and has the correct folding rule layout. So the Thrustmaster eSwap with its hot-swappable modules seemed like the perfect replacement. It’s a PlayStation 4 controller that can be configured to play any way you want. Unfortunately, its versatility isn’t enough to overlook some of the more obvious problems. This is our Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Review.
Design
As quickly as you take away the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Controller from the field, two issues turn out to be precise; the aesthetic design is not what it’s all about, and when you have small fingers, this controller won’t be comfy. While some pads give attention to the half just like the Nacon Revolution Unlimited with its rubber faceplate and light-weight ring across the analog sticks, the eSwap Pro is a cumbersome gadget with sections that reach out like a sore thumb.
It doesn’t matter which console you play on; everybody prefers the smaller symmetrical design of the Dualshock Four or the asymmetrical bulk of the Xbox One controller. This pad is for individuals who play on PS4; however, a lot favor the burden and dimension of an Xbox One controller, as a result of it is visibly extra impressed by Microsoft design than Sony, from the shoulder buttons and triggers to the d-pad and sticks.
Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Review Features
Calling this gadget the “eSwap” Pro controller is not only any title to sound hip and stylish; a compelling promoting level for the pad is the likelihood to trade different modules on the controller, for aesthetic or purposeful causes. Do you not like that the analog sticks are symmetrical with a concave design? You can pull them out and unscrew them, then substitute the sticks with quite a few bulbs within the field and swap the placement of the left stick to the d-pad to appear to be an Xbox One pad. Fingers sliding off the triggers? Use the screwdriver within the field as an alternative to putting in some prolonged ones.
It wouldn’t be a competing controller without the implementation of extra buttons, discovered on the traditional location on the again of the pad. It is a standard recording, and in-demand characteristic that prevents gamers from having to take their thumbs off the proper analog follow hit one of many 4 face buttons (X, Circle, Square, Triangle – the identical because of the PS4 controller).
However, you’ll often discover paddles on the again; as a result of they’re bigger and simpler to tell apart between mid-game. The buttons realized listed below are a welcome addition. However, they require a lot softer stress, and as such, you’ll be able to typically discover that you might be by chance urgent them, which makes me marvel why buttons have been used over paddles.
Performance
Because somebody who has not regularly used a controller with again buttons/paddles for a couple of years, it took some effort to retrain my mind to make use of the 4 buttons on the back. In the tip, it all began to click on. However, as a result of they’re small buttons and never paddles, they typically felt to shut collectively and straightforward to by chance press on.
To discover your optimum setup, you’ll most likely fiddle with the modules for some time. Eventually, I decided to make use of convex analog sticks in the usual symmetrical formation and likewise switched off the triggers for the longer ones as a result of they, in any other case, felt too brief. It is price noting that I don’t have significantly giant fingers, so after quite a few lengthy FUT Champions video games at FIFA 20 and ranked mode video games in Apex Legends, my fingers began to harm, particularly my thumbs reaching out to push the thumbsticks.
Until then, it’s laborious to inform if my efficiency within the recreation has improved. My recordings felt extra in level in Apex due to the convex, barely longer sticks in comparison with a standard DualShock 4; however, in FIFA, the controller was a lot much less helpful. It can be utterly unattainable to make use of the eSwap Pro wirelessly, which suggests that you should be consistently linked through the braided USB cable.
Great to attenuate enter lag, dangerous for anybody who may additionally need to play casually on the sofa with the controller. Given the excessive worth of £ 149 and the extent of customization right here, it appears unusual that the choice for wi-fi play (throughout non-competitive gaming classes) is just not included. Every press of a button, other than the buttons on the again, has an available mechanical click on. There is not any ambiguity that makes you marvel should you push the button, and the sport you play didn’t acknowledge it due to enter lag or something in that path.
This fashion you already know for certain each time. It is price noting that though this controller can be used on a PC – and could be additionally modified with some in-depth Thrustmapper software program – it is just not out there for obtain on the time of writing. With this software program, you’ll be able to regulate issues resembling vibration, button task, sensitivity, and different detailed particulars that are wanted for a very aggressive recreation.
Thrustmaster eSwap Pro Review Conclusion
The means to disable different elements is right – you’ll be able to even play with three analog sticks if you’d like – however you’ll shortly select a configuration, which suggests that the controller’s distinctive promoting level can be extra reasonably soon. It’s a terrific controller, however so is the essential DualShock 4, so when firms like Scuf provide the identical degree of customization and extra features on that primary mannequin, the eSwap Pro turns into a big sale, particularly at $180.
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