A controller for the PC - a necessary evil?

[Vexr]

Back in the days when I still had a PS3 I tried the included controller on my PC for playing Dark Souls. It didn't really go well as I was irked by the in game instructions showing buttons in the Xbox controller format, along with horrible performance issues I had on my system at that time.

I've more recently tried Nier: Automata. My PS3 has long since been sold along with its controllers, so I was stuck with the keyboard and mouse. I found this game barely playable using those and eventually got whipped enough early on for me to abandon it.

Is a controller/game pad for the PC a necessary evil? If so, which should I be looking to buy? I've just checked Xbox One controllers and the prices are pretty horrendous in my opinion (~£45). Are there more affordable alternatives that preferably follow the Xbox button configuration?

 

[Vexr]

Pick up a used wired Xbox 360 controller. CEX sells them for about £15.

Or go wireless and buy a £5 wireless controller on ebay.

The Xbox One controllers are a bit better, but I still like the 360s.

Awesome. I just hit a certain well known auction site and ordered one for £9.50 inc postage. TBH I'm not 100% sure it's genuine (though it says it works for both the Xbox 360 and PC, and another definite non-genuine said it only worked on PC). Either way, the price matches my perception of what a wired controller is worth. Hopefully that'll do the job. Many thanks.

 

[Vexr]

The Xbox 360 pad I ordered has arrived. In Nier Automata its a big improvement, but in games like the Tomb Raider series/GTA V I'd still definitely go for the keyboard and mouse, though I haven't tried flying a helicopter in GTA V with it yet - that really is a pain with just the K&M that I hope will be improved with a controller. I can see myself swapping to it at times for some titles, but that might be it.

Oh well, it opens a few more doors for if I ever get the itch for more console-style games.