If you are trying to configure controller support where the forest ends, the definitive answer is that native gamepad functionality is officially unsupported by developer MonkeyBassGames as of the June 2026 patch. Despite the Steam store page displaying a "Partial Controller Support" tag since the game's May 31 launch, the studio explicitly confirmed the top-down horror shooter is currently intended for keyboard and mouse only. Players plugging in an Xbox, DualSense, or Switch Pro pad will immediately notice disappearing on-screen prompts and completely unresponsive inventory screens.
However, you do not have to abandon your gamepad. Because the game runs on Unreal Engine and relies on standard PC inputs, you can bypass the broken native implementation entirely. By forcing Steam Input to translate your thumbstick movements into mouse and keyboard commands, you can build a highly responsive twin-stick shooter profile that feels native.
The Confusing State of Gamepad Compatibility
When you check the game's SteamDB entry, the controller_support value is still listed as partial. This is a leftover tag from the launch build, which shipped with a severely undercooked control scheme. The release state of the game suffered from several critical issues, forcing the small development team to prioritize game-breaking bugs over peripheral compatibility.
The June 7 patch fixed several progression blockers, including a nasty softlock in the Train Depot and a glitch where keys were not being saved properly, but developer MonkeyBassGames confirmed that native gamepad UI is disabled for the time being. They stated in their community update: "Unfortunately controller support is not currently implemented and the game is intended to be played with a keyboard and mouse for now. Full controller support is something we'd like to add in a future update."
Until that update arrives, relying on the game's default controller detection is a massive gamble. The gameplay itself might register movement, but the moment you need to upgrade a melee weapon, organize your stash, or navigate the UI, the cursor vanishes. This is because the engine constantly polls for a mouse input; if your physical mouse wiggles even a fraction of a millimeter on your desk, the game instantly revokes your gamepad control.
Where the forest ends in-game screenshot
Why Native Support Was Disabled
Understanding why the developers pulled the plug on the gamepad API helps explain why Steam Input is the only viable workaround. The game is a top-down survival horror experience that demands rapid inventory management and precise aiming.
During the launch week, players reported that pressing face buttons during intense combat would accidentally trigger hidden UI layers. For example, during the Whack a Mole quest, players using a controller found themselves unable to exit the minigame interface, resulting in a hard progression blocker. Furthermore, melee upgrades wouldn't load correctly if the game detected a controller input during the loading screen, leaving players severely underpowered against the improved Bandit AI.
By disabling the native gamepad hooks, MonkeyBassGames stabilized the core code. They reduced the Dancing Witch sewer boss's health and damage, fixed the light flickering after the Lab section, and ensured the game could be completed from start to finish—provided you use a keyboard and mouse.
How to Force Steam Input for Top-Down Combat
To play effectively from a couch, you must stop the game from recognizing your controller as a physical gamepad and instead force it to see a virtual keyboard and mouse. Steam Input is a powerful translation layer that can handle this flawlessly.
Step 1: Override Default Settings
Right-click the game in your Steam Library and select Properties. Navigate to the Controller tab. Under the "Override for Where the forest ends" dropdown, select Enable Steam Input. This intercepts your hardware before the Unreal Engine can block it.
Step 2: Download a Community Layout
Instead of building a profile from scratch, you can leverage the work of other frustrated players.
- Connect your controller and launch the game.
- Press Shift+Tab to open the Steam Overlay.
- Click the Controller Icon in the top right corner.
- Click on the current layout (which likely says "Official Layout") and navigate to the Community Layouts tab.
- Look for layouts titled "Twin Stick Fix" or "KBM Emulation." Download and apply the most popular one.
Step 3: Map the Twin-Stick Fundamentals
If you prefer to tweak the layout yourself, open the Steam Controller Layout screen. You need to map your Left Stick to the WASD keys for character movement. Because the game relies heavily on precision aiming to survive zombie swarms, you need to map your Right Stick to act as the mouse cursor. Your primary attack (Shoot/Melee) should be bound to the Right Trigger, mimicking a Left Click on a mouse. Don't forget to map your Kick AOE to a highly accessible button like the Left Bumper, as you will need it constantly to create space.
Where the forest ends in-game screenshot
Step 4: Fix Menu Navigation
The biggest hurdle for gamepad users in survival games is the inventory screen. Since the game expects a mouse to drag and drop items, you must ensure your Right Stick is set to "Joystick Mouse" in Steam Input. Turn the sensitivity up to at least 150% so you can snap across the grid quickly. Bind your Right Bumper to a Left Mouse Click specifically for menu selection. This allows you to manage your post-apocalyptic loot without reaching for your physical mouse.
Recommended Custom Bindings
If you are building your own profile from scratch, use this exact mapping to survive the industrial decay without constantly dying to clunky inputs.
| Gamepad Input | Keyboard/Mouse Action | In-Game Function |
|---|---|---|
| Left Stick | W, A, S, D | Movement |
| Right Stick | Mouse Cursor | Aiming / Menu Navigation |
| Right Trigger | Left Mouse Click | Shoot / Melee Attack |
| Left Trigger | Right Mouse Click | Aim Down Sights |
| Left Bumper | Spacebar | Kick AOE |
| A Button (Cross) | E | Interact / Pick Up |
| X Button (Square) | R | Reload Weapon |
| Select / View | Tab | Open Inventory |
| Right Bumper | Left Mouse Click | UI Selection (Menus) |
This setup turns the game into a traditional twin-stick shooter. You will still see PC key prompts on the screen (like "Press E to interact" or "Press R to reload"), but your muscle memory will adapt quickly. The increased Kick AOE range introduced in the recent patch makes the Left Bumper mapping particularly devastating against swarms.
Steam Deck Specific Tweaks
Playing on a handheld PC requires a slightly different approach. While the Steam Deck natively uses Steam Input, the default template will fail for the exact same reasons a standard Xbox controller fails on a desktop PC.
To optimize the game for the Steam Deck:
- Use the Right Trackpad for Aiming: Top-down shooters benefit massively from trackpad aiming. Set the Right Trackpad to "As Mouse" with low friction. This gives you absolute 1:1 precision when lining up headshots on zombies.
- Bind Inventory to the Back Grips: The Steam Deck's L4 and R4 buttons are perfect for inventory management. Bind L4 to "Tab" (Inventory) and R4 to "Left Mouse Click" so you can organize your backpack without taking your thumbs off the movement stick.
- Enable Gyro on Aim: If you bind the Left Trigger to "Right Mouse Click" (Aim Down Sights), you can set the Steam Deck's Gyro to activate only when the Left Trigger is pulled. This allows for micro-adjustments during tense firefights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my button prompts keep disappearing? The game engine is constantly fighting between recognizing your gamepad and your mouse. If your physical mouse wiggles even slightly on your desk, the UI swaps back to PC prompts. By using Steam Input to emulate a keyboard, you lock the game into a single input method, preventing the UI from flickering.
Does the June 7 patch fix the softlocks if I use a controller? If you experienced a softlock while trying to save Phil or while fighting the Dancing Witch sewer boss before the recent patch, your save file might be permanently corrupted. Using a controller did not cause these bugs, but struggling with the menus certainly made recovering from them harder. You may need to start a new playthrough to fully bypass the Highwayman quest glitch.
Where the forest ends in-game screenshot
Will native DualSense support be added? Currently, the developer has only promised "full controller support" in a future update. Given the small size of MonkeyBassGames, it is highly unlikely they will implement native DualSense features like haptic feedback or adaptive triggers. Expect standard XInput support when the patch eventually drops.
Can I play the demo with a controller? The demo version (App ID 3743000) suffers from the exact same input limitations as the main game. You will need to apply the same Steam Input KBM emulation profile to the demo executable to play it on a gamepad.