Let's dig deep into it. Now, we've been hearing about this controller for years now, and they've been messing around with the design for a while, the biggest being the implementation of buttons from it's initial 2013 unveil. It went through a bunch of different design decisions and years of testing and engineering until they came to the final design.
So what do you get in the box when you get it exactly when you buy it? Well you get,
-The Controller
-A USB Adapter with an optional base to house it on
-A micro-USB cable (it can be wired also, but it works with the USB base
Obviously, this controller isn't meant for use on the Xbox or the PS4. It'll only work with your PC, and it works directly through Steam. Upon plugging it in the controller is instantly recognized, makes a beep, and automatically, you can use it to navigate your desktop. This is where you mess around with the thumbpad for a bit and feel how it works. It works, works alright. Not bad, not amazing either though. It's not perfect movement sensor which is slightly disappointing, but it'll make up for it.
Let's talk about the feel of the controller. It definitely feels slick, and is really ergonomic. I thought I'd have a problem reaching the buttons as they're in the place of what usually is the right stick, but the ergonomic design really blew me away. I was able to reach the buttons no problem. The extra buttons on the back... well they jut out a bit, so I've hit them more times than I would've liked. Haven't hit it lately yet so that's alright. The triggers mimic the Gamecube controller trigger which a lot of people like, but the bumper/shoulder buttons are waaaaaaay too big and a lot higher than the triggers. They take some getting used to.
Let's go over some pros. Every single option you could ever dream of is customizable by the software in the steam controller. There's sensitivity options, flick options, edge speed options, button remapping, mapping for the gyroscope button, etc. The sky is not even the limit with this damn thing. The back buttons are nice, as they add extra buttons which you'll need when transitioning from a keyboard to controller. You can even set a button so that when you hold it it'll shift your buttons to do something else, called a "mode shift" button which adds much more customization than something like Xpadder.
A lot of games surprisingly have official steam controller support by the devs available for use immediately which is nice. For other types of situations though you'll have to make your own, I imagine something like Civilization 5 will never have official controller support so you'll have to make your own with that one. Community-made controller profiles are generally labelled to what they aim at accomplishing. One for MGS5 aimed at adding a dual aiming system using the triggers. Pretty interesting.
Time to go over some cons, and trust me there are a bunch of em. One major con is that it takes batteries to operate. While its nice that you can directly wire it so that you don't have to use it wirelessly, I would've very much appreciated a chargeable controller. Another problem is that in order to edit any settings with the Steam Controller, you need to be in Big Picture Mode. Why? Why can't I use the Steam settings regularly? Why does it need to be in Big Picture Mode? Even to edit the desktop configuration for browsing your desktop you need to go into Big Picture Mode. Then you realize that in order to go into Big Picture Mode you need to be on the Store Page. That's ridiculous.
Another problem is you need to have the Steam Overlay on in order for the controller to work. So if for some reason you can't get the Steam Overlay you'll have to set up a desktop configuration to get those to work, so there is a workaround I guess. It won't be easy setting it up with non-steam games (though possible), and it's been giving a few emulators some trouble so definitely be careful if you're buying it for use in emulators.
I thought I'd have a problem with looking around with the Steam Controller (which I still kinda do) but messing with the settings and turning off the flick option, upping the sensitivity, and using edge speed really, really helped to make it a lot better than I originally thought it would be.
Overall, for almost every fault in this controller, it can usually make up for it either in messing around with the settings or just taking the time to get used to its unusual design. It's really an anomaly of a controller. It will never be as good as an Xbox 360 controller, and never be as precise as a mouse and keyboard. But the things it can actually do, it does well. If they can iron out some of the kinks with the Steam overlay always being on to use it, add a Steam controller option in the regular settings so you don't have to go to Big Picture Mode, better non-steam game support, better emulator support, and maybe release a chargeable version, this could very well be a solid controller to go ALONG with a keyboard/mouse and a controller.
That being said, I can't recommend it to someone who thinks it'll either completely replace their keyboard and mouse or thinks it'll replace their controller. It's not meant for that. It's meant as an alternative to those two. Not a replacement.
I rate the Steam controller a 6/10 currently. Fix some of the software bullshit, and it'll go to a 7/10.
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