Gloomwood Controller Support Arrives: A Game-Changer for Steam Deck Enthusiasts

Every time Gloomwood goes on sale, I check to see if it has finally received its long-promised controller support. For years, the answer was "no" or "not yet," and there were countless threads in the Gloomwood Steam forums asking about it. But as of today, the answer is definitively yes. This news is a massive relief for anyone who wants to play this stealth-oriented immersive sim on a Steam Deck or other handheld PC without relying on keyboard and mouse.

While the game has been marked "Playable" on Steam Deck for some time, players were forced to use jury-rigged layouts created by themselves or the community. Furthermore, essential gamepad glyphs were missing from the interface entirely. This is a particularly frustrating way to experience a first-person Thief-like with complicated controls, yet the enthusiasm for Gloomwood has driven fans to persevere regardless.

A Comprehensive Update for Console-Style Play

The newly implemented controller support is comprehensive and designed to make the experience seamless. Tutorials have been updated specifically for gamepad users, ensuring that new players understand the mechanics without confusion. Additionally, you can now rebind controls to your heart's desire, allowing for a personalized playstyle that suits individual preferences perfectly.

This update brings significant improvements to the UI and navigation:

  • Updated tutorials tailored for controller inputs.
  • Full rebinding capabilities for all game actions.
  • In-game glyphs that clearly indicate button prompts on screen.

The new update also adds "a new shop in the market plaza," which is a welcome expansion of the world, though I am primarily focused on finally having native controller support before I dive back into the game. It seems this addition was good news for the community as well, even if it wasn't my primary reason for celebrating the patch.

Why Gloomwood Remains Worth Playing in Early Access

Gloomwood launched on Steam in 2022 and remains in early access, yet player sentiment is overwhelmingly positive with over 5,500 reviews. The developers have maintained a strong commitment to frequent updates, keeping the game fresh and engaging. In January alone, the title received a major new map featuring what was described as the "largest, most vertical open area" yet, showcasing the evolving scope of the project.

The quality of the game has been recognized by its creators as well. Ted Litchfield declared back in 2023 that Gloomwood had already passed the "early access threshold," meaning it is worth playing even while incomplete. He famously wrote, "It kicks ass, and it's definitely time to get into Gloomwood," a sentiment that rings truer now with full controller support available.

For those hesitant due to hardware concerns, this latest patch removes the final barrier to entry on handhelds. If you have been waiting for the perfect moment to start your stealthy adventure or return to the shadows, the timing is now ideal. As it happens, Gloomwood is currently 25% off on Steam at the moment, making this the most affordable time to experience the game in its best-supported state yet.