Despite their compact nature, the CKRD collection of Neo S controllers have confirmed to be high-quality, configurable gamepads with distinctive designs. Now, CKRD is again with one other collectible gamepad, the Fortnite Festival-themed Neo S Purple Wave Edition. Besides its distinctive look, this controller comes with a five-fret guitar grip attachment that interfaces with the beforehand underutilized charging port on the backside of the gamepad. While the attachment might not be the perfect gamepad or keyboard substitute for everybody who performs Fortnite Festival or different rhythm-based video games, it nonetheless makes a compelling case for individuals who desire a extra compact instrument-like various.
CRKD Neo S Purple Wave Edition – Design and Performance
In the field is the controller, five-fret attachment, USB-C to USB-A charging cable, microfiber material string bag, and velcro hand strap. The Neo S Purple Wave Edition gamepad is similar as another Neo S controller, save for the aesthetics, the instrument attachment and the strap that helps higher safe the controller in-hand when utilizing the attachment. In reality, if you have already got a Neo S controller, you may get the guitar grip attachment add-on by itself, simply with out the colour coordination, for $19.99.
While the Neo S is primarily meant as a Bluetooth controller, it does have a USB-C port on the high that may not solely cost but additionally be used to play wired for decrease latency. And regardless of its compact retro-style design, the gamepad has a full suite of controls. The replaceable thumbsticks and triggers are each Hall Effect, utilizing the favored magnetic expertise to scale back the possibilities of drift or different sorts of mechanical failure.
On the underside of the controller are charging contacts and a 3.5mm headset jack the place the guitar grip attachment is secured. The rear of the controller has an RFID touchpoint to make use of with the CRKD and CTRL app for iOS or Android, the programmable S1 and S2 buttons, this system button to map S1 and S2, and a pinhole reset button. Each programmable button will be set to numerous inputs or disabled utterly for individuals who maintain the controllers in such a approach that will unintentionally set off them.
Nearly each side of the controller will be custom-made with the CRKD app and the CTRL characteristic. All buttons, in addition to the thumbsticks, D-pad, and guitar-fret attachment will be remapped, which extends compatibility to different video games with out such choices built-in. The LZ and RZ triggers will be set to low, medium, or excessive actuation factors to regulate when inputs are acknowledged. The thumbsticks will be set to “No Deadzone Mode,” which permits even the slightest stick actions to be tracked. Finally, the depth of the left and proper motor rumble will be set individually or as a bunch.
The Neo S Gamepad is appropriate with PC, Nintendo Switch, cell units, and nearly another system that helps Bluetooth or wired connections that work with Xinput, Switch, or Android controllers. The Neo S has an inside gyroscope that enables for movement controls on Switch and works like a Pro Controller over Bluetooth or USB. While you possibly can leverage the three.5mm audio jack and routinely route audio to your headphones when used over USB on the Switch, the guitar-fret attachment blocks the port when it is related.
For PC, macOS, or iOS, you need to use the gamepad as an Xinput Bluetooth controller (like a Pro Controller or Xbox Wireless Controller), or wired over USB, with the latter just for PC and macOS. The Neo S will join as a Gamepad over Bluetooth for Android. You can swap between a number of paired units by holding the D-pad within the relevant course and urgent the house button.
As with the opposite variations, the Neo S Purple Wave Edition Gamepad works effectively with a wide range of sport varieties both as a classic-style or fashionable controller, though it undoubtedly favors the calls for of extra modestly-controlled basic video games over extra complicated fashionable video games. While some might balk at its compact nature and normal form, it is a good various to fashionable gamepad designs – though its 8 to fifteen hours of battery life on a full cost is a bit on the weak aspect.
CRKD Neo S Purple Wave Edition – Fortnite Festival and Other Rhythm Games
As the Purple Wave Edition, the outside of the controller matches the colour tone of the notes and sustains in Fortnite Festival. I am unable to say it is my favourite design or one that provides me significantly sturdy Fortnite vibes past the Fortnite Festival brand, however there is no denying that the trippy purple design makes an announcement, and that is what you are in the end attempting to do as a music star in Fortnite Festival. There’s additionally the Tribal Black color scheme, which sports activities a extra reserved look if you need, and it comes with the fret attachment as effectively.
More importantly, the guitar-fret attachment, which seems to be loads like what you bought with Guitar Hero: On Tour for the Nintendo DS, is purpose-built for Fortnite Festival. While you possibly can play effectively with any customary gamepad, and particularly effectively with a keyboard, lowering main management to a single hand for hitting notes will help to additional optimize your efficiency.
My most well-liked strategy to play Fortnite Festival has been with a Logitech G Pro X TKL Rapid Analog set to a really low actuation level. Admittedly, even with the high-performance keyboard, protecting the fingers in every hand straight when enjoying Fortnite Festival will be one thing of a problem, significantly at larger, and far sooner, issue ranges.
With the guitar-fret attachment, there was a considerably pure studying curve, however even early on I used to be capable of see the way it might enhance my expertise with sufficient apply. Instead of two lively fingers, I used to be utilizing largely one, with a logical one-to-one mapping for my fingers to every lane for the notes.
Since there is no strum bar, you must map that perform to the D-pad, or, in the event you’re significantly dexterous, one thing like RT. Although there’s arguably no good choice, this mapping is nonetheless needed when enjoying in arduous mode and choosing an instrument that requires strumming.
Of course, moreover the gamepad itself being a common controller on supported platforms, the guitar-fret attachment works with different video games as effectively – together with, effectively…rhythm video games. Two of these I performed had been Clone Hero and YARG (aka Yet Another Rhythm Game). Clone Hero works loads like Fortnite Festival, proper all the way down to its issue modes, and YARG isn’t too far off with its approximation to Rock Band – and I had no hassle enjoying, and extra importantly, having fun with, each video games on my Windows PC with this controller.
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So the massive query is, in the event you’re actually into rhythm video games, does the guitar-fret attachment for the Neo S controller make a distinction? If you are coming from a daily gamepad, it completely does. But it’s arduous to argue in opposition to the truth that the buttons on a typical controller are too shut collectively, and it doesn’t gel fairly as effectively with the everyday rhythm sport. This is not as large of a deal on decrease issue ranges, however the extra complexity launched, the extra this may develop into an issue.
If you personal a top quality keyboard, there’s arguably much less of a case for one thing just like the Neo S with the guitar-fret attachment. With that mentioned, not less than in my case, with a lot exercise between my two fingers, I’ve typically misplaced my place on larger difficulties even when utilizing my most well-liked keyboard. Even with the educational curve, the guitar-fret attachment has a way more intuitive button-to-lane placement (because it, after all, mimics the precise instrument), which I believe is one thing value contemplating in the event you’re going to be enjoying these sorts of video games continuously. Expect some fatigue as your hand adapts to the brand new grip.
Of course, there are additionally full-size guitar controller choices, together with from CRKD themselves with the flamboyant CRKD x Gibson collection, full with a devoted strum bar. While they appear like nice choices, I’m undecided I’d depend myself amongst these prepared to begin gathering massive gaming devices once more.
