I’ve over a dozen controllers that I cycle by usually. These aren’t simply relics from previous consoles, both; they’ve all been on a quest to seek out the one controller that I need to choose up and use. Scuf’s Reflex controller has ended that search.
Should you’re unfamiliar, Scuf has an extended historical past of constructing premium controllers, however the controller customized store for essentially the most intense (and well-off) players has felt much less essential over the previous a number of years. Xbox has continued to iterate on its Elite Collection 2 controller, and though Sony was late to the celebration, we now have the DualSense Edge pulling its weight as a premium controller for PlayStation followers.
That ought to go away a controller just like the Scuf Reflex in a troublesome spot, particularly contemplating you’ll be able to spend upwards of $300 on one ($100 greater than Sony asks for the DualSense Edge). However after over a month of utilizing the Reflex, I’m having a tough time utilizing the rest, each on my PC and my PlayStation.
A giant motive why the Reflex stands out is that it permits Scuf to excel at what it does finest — providing one thing that Sony and Microsoft simply aren’t.
I’ve slowly collected so many controllers as a result of some are higher than others for various issues — I’ll seize my 8bitdo SN30 Professional for any platformer or retro recreation, whereas my Xbox Elite Collection 2 fills in for heavy-duty motion video games like Satan Might Cry 5 — however once I need to simply choose up and play a recreation, I by no means gravitate towards a single controller. I haven’t discovered one which feels proper, nor one which feels private to me.
My favourite controller design is undeniably the DualSense resulting from its bigger unfold in comparison with Xbox controllers and its barely heftier weight. My essential drawback has been the shortage of again buttons, that are vital for my PC-centered gaming. The DualSense Edge consists of again buttons, however that will get to my different drawback: it doesn’t really feel customized.
It appears small, however a customized controller is an enormous deal, which is why one thing as insignificant as a brand new colour possibility can usually immediate an improve. The DualSense Edge doesn’t have any customization choices, whereas the Elite Collection 2 is out there by Xbox’s customized Design Lab. Hopefully, you’ll be able to see the dilemma right here: I need an elite-style controller with customization choices that matches within the DualSense mould.
Enter the Reflex. It’s customizable, and it has again buttons, however greater than something, it’s a DualSense. It comes with the identical guts and tech as Sony’s controller, together with the built-in speaker/microphone combo, adaptive triggers, haptic suggestions, and the touchpad. And these options work throughout PlayStation and PC; identical to the DualSense, you’ll get adaptive set off help and haptic suggestions in a recreation like Marvel’s Spider-Man by the PC model.
It’s the last word controller and one which I haven’t actually put down for over a month. For somebody like me who considers controllers a passion and collects them religiously, the Reflex is one thing that no different controller, together with the DualSense Edge, can match.
However, as a lot as I just like the Reflex, there are some flaws which are too large to disregard. Let’s sort out the worth first. This controller begins at $200, whereas a DualSense that gives 90% of the identical expertise, is barely $70. That’s not the principle drawback right here, although. Should you’re in search of worth in your controller, the usual, first-party controllers from Microsoft and Sony are all the time the best way to go. This can be a premium controller, priced in accordance with the DualSense Edge and Elite Collection 2, and it throws worth out the window identical to these controllers do. You’re arrange for disappointment for those who count on any bang in your buck out of the Scuf Reflex (or the DualSense Edge, for that matter).
This isn’t the controller for most individuals, and I wouldn’t suggest it for many players. It was by no means attempting to be that. My problem with the worth is how Scuf nickels and dimes you for even essentially the most minor additions that ought to return customary on the controller.
For starters, the customization choices are obscenely costly. A unique colour is $15, whereas a novel design just like the one my controller has is $30. That carries over into each space of customization, as nicely: touchpad, set off, bumper, and faceplate trim are $10 a bit, the D-pad is $7, and even the rings across the thumbsticks are $2 every. To alter the colour of each a part of the controller, even excluding one among Scuf’s designer patterns, you’re $97 on high of the $200 base worth.
Customization isn’t the worst of it. To get a textured again, it’s good to spend an additional $20. In any other case, the controller comes with easy, uncomfortable plastic. Instantaneous triggers, that are adjustable and inventory on each the DualSense Edge and Elite Collection 2, are one other $40. And a carrying case, which comes with a couple of thumbstick choices and an additional charging cable, is an additional $50.
Even for a minor colour tweak, you’re going to spend $250 at a minimal and certain over $300. Should you don’t need countless customization, Scuf presents a couple of colour choices for the Reflex Professional ($220 with the grip) and Reflex FPS ($250 for the grip and instantaneous triggers), however that misses on one of many essential features of what Scuf presents: customization.
The additional price of customization kills the expertise of configuring your individual Scuf controller. Immediately, it’s not about making a controller that’s private to you, it’s about attempting to trim the fats wherever you’ll be able to. These grey rings across the thumbsticks actually suit your design a lot better than the black ones, however you might save the additional $4. Or, that default grey faceplate seems a bit foolish with the $30 designer colour you want, however is it actually price including an additional $10 onto the fee? You possibly can see the place this begins to snowball.
Xbox actually has the customization down with its Design Lab. Take the Elite Collection 2 for example. It’s $20 greater than shopping for the controller on its ($130 for the bottom controller), however that’s the one improve. You’re free to customise the controller from there, permitting you realistically to construct the controller you need quite than counting down the {dollars} draining out of your checking account.
Design Lab will get one other factor proper that Scuf misses: constant customization choices. For instance, the Reflex features a lovely Slate colour possibility for the perimeters, however it’s not accessible for another a part of the controller. Equally, the faceplate trim is out there in pink however the touchpad isn’t. The additional you get within the means of customizing your Scuf Reflex, the less choices you’ve, making it onerous to choose a design that appears constant. Distinction with Design Lab, the place you’ll be able to simply drum up half a dozen superior designs in a matter of minutes.
I lastly settled on a design that I like for the Reflex, however it was solely after giving right into a $30 upcharge for a designer sample and a whole lot of compromises alongside the best way. It’s not that each Scuf Reflex seems unhealthy, however you’ll need to do a bit extra work to discover a design that appears particular (and certain pay the fee for upgrades). When you get there, although, you’ve one of the best controller cash can purchase.
There are some issues the Reflex will get improper in comparison with the DualSense Edge and Xbox’s Design Lab, however there are additionally some issues it will get proper. For example, you’ll be able to simply snap off the faceplate and substitute it with a special colour. This additionally provides you entry to the thumbstick, which you’ll substitute. The DualSense Edge has swappable thumbsticks for $20 a bit, however with the Reflex, you should purchase a pack of varied completely different thumbstick sizes and styles for half that worth.
Equally, you’ll be able to substitute the again paddles or take away them completely. I like how Scuf handles mapping these again buttons, too. It’s all carried out with the {hardware}, the place you enter the mapping mode with the Profile button and press the paddle and the button you need to map to it on the similar time. Distinction that with the DualSense Edge, the place you want a PS5 to remap the buttons in software program or to hunt out a third-party utility for those who’re solely on PC.
For the report, I don’t assume most individuals can buy the Scuf Reflex. I don’t even assume one thing like DualSense Edge or Elite Collection 2 is price it for the overwhelming majority of individuals. However for those who’re like me, and also you continuously cycle by controllers in quest of the proper one, the Scuf Reflex simply is likely to be your reply. Or, on the very least, it is likely to be your reply till Sony has a first-party reply to Xbox’s Design Lab.
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