5 Games That Are Better With The PlayStation's DualSense Edge Controller (2023)

Sony's DualSense Edge, a PlayStation 5 controller in the style of Microsoft's Xbox Elite Series 2, is set to launch on January 26, marking the company's first foray into the realm of pro-grade controller variants.In our review, we praise Edge's customization, from its swappable analog sticks to its trigger stops and custom button mapping profiles, even if its $200 price tag is a bit high for anyone outside of the tournament space.

Still, if you're like me, you spend a lot of time on your PlayStation 5. I've been doing exactly that for the past four days, testing a variety of games (new and old) to see if the DualSense Edge features deliver an elevated experience. And while I definitely don't think the new variant is essential for fun sessions in the Wild West, the Midlands, or the Old World, I did find that Edge makes some of my favorite PlayStation games feel much smoother.

Below, I've rounded up the five games I've played with Edge to demonstrate how the controller features remove minor roadblocks, resolve input issues, and provide an overall cleaner experience.

antique ring

5 Games That Are Better With The PlayStation's DualSense Edge Controller (1)

As my late grandmother, an accomplished seamstress and frequent mender of torn shirts and jackets, used to say: you can never have too many buttons. she wasn't talking aboutantique ringbut neither did shenotalking aboutolder ring.

The Edge's two additional rear buttons might seem tailor-made for first-person shooters, where removing your thumb from the analog stick could spell certain doom (more on that below), but they're also a godsend inthe best game of 2022. By moving the D-Pad Left and D-Pad Right inputs to the corresponding back buttons, I can switch between items, spells, and enchantments without interrupting my character for that crucial split-second during heated boss fights. (This game, if you didn't know, has quite a few of those.) You can also move the run/dodge function from the circle button to one of the back buttons for the same reason.

Of the two interchangeable rear button options, I stuck with the half-dome variants. The paddle versions, while still useful, are easier to hit on accident and aren't nearly as satisfying for my middle fingers. Speaking of the middle finger: Fuck you, Malenia.

red dead redemption 2

5 Games That Are Better With The PlayStation's DualSense Edge Controller (2)

It is the classic tale. A true American myth. Arthur Morgan, gangster, thief, gentleman and storyteller, enters the muddy street of Valentine. The night air is heavy with the smell of alcohol. "Hey! Arthur Morgan," shouts the would-be pine coffin dweller. "People tell me you're pretty quick with a gun." He designs his own trusty smoke wagon.

"That's right," Arthur grumbles, before squared his shoulders at his annoying enemy. “Even faster now that I can adjust the analog sensitivity of my DualSense Edge.” A shot rings out and a man salutes the mud. The other man, Arthur Morgan, if that wasn't clear, walks off into the sunset.

I'm a big fan ofred Dead Redemption 2,but I can also admit that, on a purely mechanical level,Not good. Intentionally or not, she always feels as if she is directing Arthur's movements instead of controlling them, on horseback or in the middle of a bank robbery. The Edge's adjustable stick sensitivity alleviates these frustrations somewhat: when switching from the "Standard" sensitivity to the "Precise" setting (there are six options in total), Arthur's floating sight now flies from enemy to enemy, without having to to rely on doing the auto-aim feature, which can result in boring gunfights.

(The back buttons are also extremely useful forred dead 2for the same reason as inantique ring— the less time I have to scroll through items with the D-Pad, the better).

Forbidden Horizon West

5 Games That Are Better With The PlayStation's DualSense Edge Controller (3)

Like inred dead 2,Forbidden Horizon Westit benefits greatly from Edge's adjustable stick sensitivity. In this case, however, I found the "Stable" option, which prioritizes smooth, steady motion and targets unstable motion, to be the most useful. This allows me to adjust my aim when shooting at a specific part of the machine from a distance, but also allows for controlled firing when the enemy himself closes the distance.

Finally, the back buttons are also a lifesaver here. (Do you see a pattern yet?) I understand that the protagonist Aloy has aManyof tools and weapons at your disposal, and that the designers at Guerilla Games went to great lengths to fit them into a normal controller, but flicking my thumb to the D-Pad for a health item or booby trap during an intense hunt Monster has always been less than ideal. Back buttons totally solve this problem.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

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This is where Edge really starts to stand out. The aforementioned back buttons and adjustable sensitivity options are all very well, but the ability to switch between preset profiles on the fly is very useful.

The Xbox Elite Series 2 also has this capability, but the PlayStation 5's popup menu makes the process easy. By holding down one of the "Function" buttons (those paddles under each analog stick), I can press a face button and switch to the corresponding profile. Using the profile titled "Forbidden West" will change the analog sensitivity to "Stable" again, along with the adjusted dead zones and back button inputs. Using the profile labeled "Red Dead" will revert back to the settings I found best for Arthur.

You can get even more specific with this function: InCall of Duty Modern Warfare 2, I changed the four preset profiles based on the loadout I was using in multiplayer. This allows me to switch between the optimal settings for a Sniper, Machine Gunner, Close-Quarters Assalant, etc., as quickly as I can.modern warfare 2Allow me to change class.

Warhammer: Vermintide 2

5 Games That Are Better With The PlayStation's DualSense Edge Controller (5)

It's a nearly five-year-old game that has highlighted the strengths of the DualSense Edge most vividly. Yes, the back buttons once again allow for easier switching between potions, tomes, and explosives that were previously relegated to the D-Pad. And yes, the preset profiles are great for switching not only between multiple characters, but also between various classes within each character's lineup. I spent most of my Sunday catching up with Marcus Kruber, constantly switching between his Mercenary, Huntsman, and Foot Knight runs, each of which flourished with different analog sensibilities and haptic feedback intensities.

But in a game that involves a lot From pushing, stabbing, pummeling, slicing, smashing, shaking, shooting, blocking, and impaling, I appreciated none of the Edge's features more than the ability to adjust the "Stop" zones of the R2 and L2 triggers. By lowering the notches on the side of each trigger to their lowest ends, the triggers stop at about a quarter of their normal depth. Swinging my halberd no longer means repeatedly pressing a deep trigger, but rather repeatedly pressing a shallow button. It seems little, but it saves my fingers a lot of effort in higher difficulties. Adjustable trigger stops, combined with custom profiles and extra button clearance, make enjoyment easier than ever.Warhammer: Vermintide 2An intense fighting mark of .