Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
I’ve over a dozen controllers that I cycle by means of 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 decide up and use. Scuf’s Reflex controller has ended that search.
If you’re unfamiliar, Scuf has a protracted historical past of constructing premium controllers, however the controller customized store for probably the most intense (and well-off) players has felt much less mandatory over the previous a number of years. Xbox has continued to iterate on its Elite Series 2 controller, and though Sony was late to the occasion, we now have the DualSense Edge pulling its weight as a premium controller for PlayStation followers.
That ought to depart 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). But after over a month of utilizing the Reflex, I’m having a tough time utilizing anything, each on my PC and my PlayStation.
An enormous cause why the Reflex stands out is that it permits Scuf to excel at what it does greatest — 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 Pro for any platformer or retro recreation, whereas my Xbox Elite Series 2 fills in for heavy-duty motion video games like Devil May Cry 5 — however after I need to simply decide 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.
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
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 contains again buttons, however that will get to my different drawback: it doesn’t really feel customized.
It appears small, however a personalised controller is an enormous deal, which is why one thing as insignificant as a brand new coloration possibility can usually immediate an improve. The DualSense Edge doesn’t have any customization choices, whereas the Elite Series 2 is on the market by means of Xbox’s customized Design Lab. Hopefully, you’ll be able to see the dilemma right here: I would like 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 means of the PC model.
It’s the final word controller and one which I haven’t actually put down for over a month. For somebody like me who considers controllers a pastime and collects them religiously, the Reflex is one thing that no different controller, together with the DualSense Edge, can match.
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
But, as a lot as I just like the Reflex, there are some flaws which can be too massive 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. If you’re in search of worth in your controller, the usual, first-party controllers from Microsoft and Sony are all the time the way in which to go. This is a premium controller, priced in accordance with the DualSense Edge and Elite Series 2, and it throws worth out the window identical to these controllers do. You’re arrange for disappointment in the event you anticipate any bang to your buck out of the Scuf Reflex (or the DualSense Edge, for that matter).
This shouldn’t be 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 probably the most minor additions that ought to come back customary on the controller.
For starters, the customization choices are obscenely costly. A special coloration 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 change the colour of each a part of the controller, even excluding certainly one of Scuf’s designer patterns, you’re taking a look at $97 on prime of the $200 base worth.
Customization isn’t the worst of it. To get a textured again, you could spend an additional $20. Otherwise, the controller comes with easy, uncomfortable plastic. Instant triggers, that are adjustable and inventory on each the DualSense Edge and Elite Series 2, are one other $40. And a carrying case, which comes with a number of thumbstick choices and an additional charging cable, is an additional $50.
Even for a minor coloration tweak, you’re going to spend $250 at a minimal and certain over $300. If you don’t need infinite customization, Scuf provides a number of coloration choices for the Reflex Pro ($220 with the grip) and Reflex FPS ($250 for the grip and immediate triggers), however that misses on one of many essential elements of what Scuf provides: customization.
The additional value of customization kills the expertise of configuring your personal Scuf controller. Suddenly, 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. Those grey rings across the thumbsticks actually suit your design a lot better than the black ones, however you can save the additional $4. Or, that default grey faceplate seems to be a bit foolish with the $30 designer coloration you want, however is it actually price including an additional $10 onto the associated fee? You can see the place this begins to snowball.
Xbox actually has the customization down with its Design Lab. Take the Elite Series 2 for instance. 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 moderately 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 coloration possibility for the perimeters, however it’s not out there for another a part of the controller. Similarly, the faceplate trim is on the market in pink however the touchpad isn’t. The additional you get within the technique of customizing your Scuf Reflex, the less choices you will have, making it laborious to decide on a design that appears constant. Contrast 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 lots of compromises alongside the way in which. It’s not that each Scuf Reflex seems to be dangerous, however you’ll need to do a bit extra work to discover a design that appears particular (and certain pay the associated fee for upgrades). Once you get there, although, you will have the most effective controller cash should purchase.
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
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 occasion, you’ll be able to simply snap off the faceplate and substitute it with a special coloration. This additionally offers 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 totally different thumbstick sizes and shapes for half that worth.
Similarly, 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 finished 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. Contrast 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 in the event you’re solely on PC.
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
For the report, I don’t assume most individuals can purchase the Scuf Reflex. I don’t even assume one thing like DualSense Edge or Elite Series 2 is price it for the overwhelming majority of individuals. But in the event you’re like me, and also you continually cycle by means of controllers looking for the proper one, the Scuf Reflex simply may be your reply. Or, on the very least, it may be your reply till Sony has a first-party reply to Xbox’s Design Lab.
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