Great Game Horrible Controls?

[Perfectblue]

Hello everyone I am loving this game so far; however, the controls are very awkward for me at best especially in combat scenarios where I am having to change naja's forms and dodge projectiles. Additionally I find the quick swim burst frustrating as well, as the majority of the time naja will  undesirably cling to a nearby wall. Ive tried just using the mouse, and the mouse + keyboard. Are there any mods or tips you guys might have to make controlling naja a little more fluid and intuitive?

[Chibi]

Are you pulling my leg?    Sorry to disagree, but Aquaria's controls are the most fluid and intuitive of all the two-dimensional games I've played. For changing forms and casting spells you can use the number keys - as for clinging to a wall and not being able to dodge enemy particles: that's a matter of skill or equipment quality, not a problem with the game. The shield spell is also incredibly effective at reflecting enemy projectiles. I hope my post will help you reap more enjoyment from the game.  Welcome to the forums, blue.

[EDIT]: Mouse only controls work well, but you might want to use the space bar for boost and the number keys for spells.

[EDIT]: Like Silverflagon says, this post is the product of mock outrage. 

[Nava]

I use mouse and WASD and I personally found the controls to be perfectly intuitive. Changing forms can be done with the numbers 1-8 for ease, and you can still move while doing this. Also, Naija's wall clinging can be really useful for moving faster, because she kicks off of and attaches to walls I think faster than her swimming speed burst..... you can basically hop along walls at rapid speeds. It's a favorite passtime of mine

[Align]

If you're using mouse only, I could see that being a problem.. but other than that it should be fine. Only problem I had was needing a third hand to get a good grip on the targetting control-stick when using a 360 controller.

[Zeke]

I played almost the whole thing using a USB game controller (a Saitek P2500, for the inquisitive).  I just left auto-targeting on, and swimming/aiming etc was no problem.  Being able to use an analog stick for moving about seemed infinitely easier than using the mouse or keyboard, evevn if I did have a bit of a time with button-function overlap.  Also, since you're using your thumbs instead of clicking, you can pretty much kick the crap out of anything and everything with energy form shots, even unenhanced.  The whole game seemed quite easy, although still immensely enjoyable.

[silverflagon]

I lovbe the controls, you just need to get used to using the shortcut keys Perfectblue. The wall clinging can be used for so many things and if clinging was made any harder then climbing would be almost impossible So when she clings next time you dan't want her to just click on her and she will let go and swim normally

And don't worry Chibi is just pulling your leg, he isn't really upset at your post lol

[Hiro]

Eheheh.. Unlike most people it seems I used only the mouse for almost the whole time playing and didn't have problems... But maybe I'm more dextrous at singing than some (since I also didn't find the simon says boss to be that hard) or something like that.

I hope you find a control scheme that works for you! WASD and the mouse seems like a good option for when you need to be swimming and shooting at the same time. Its kinda like a 2D shooter game if you play it like that.

[silverflagon]

I mostly use the shortcuts when things get hectic, but for grabing a rock or plant leaves etc. I prefer to have her singing the notes.

Thinking about shortcuts, there isn't one for calling Li is there, or have I missed that one?

[Chibi]

Yeah - AFAIK, there is no such shortcut. One of these days, I'm going to try playing the entire game without using shortcuts (if I can muster up the willpower). 

[silverflagon]

Perhaps Alec might tell us that there is one but so far I haven't found it? Unless you can call the Dual form shortcut, the shortcut key  for calling Li?

[Zeke]

The spirit form also calls Li to you, when you turn back to normal form.

[Tolkienfanatic]

Really?  I think Aquaria controls beautifully.  Also keep in mind you can revert to Naija's normal form by hitting X

[Mincus]

There's enough different control types to please everyone I feel.

Personally I use a gamepad (similar layout to a PS2 pad, but 6 buttons instead of 4 and 2 shoulder buttons) and map the unused buttons and d-pad to shortcuts. Makes for a very nice control scheme.
But there's always the mouse for extra control (sometimes needed when singing).

[Xidus]

I used a gamepad and found it very easy to control. Though I did need to use third party software to map the form hotkeys to buttons on the gamepad. For the beginning portion of the game I didn't use hotkeys and it was more challenging, since I had to stop swimming to sing. Which can be dangerous depending on the situation.

[Malama]

Yeah - AFAIK, there is no such shortcut. One of these days, I'm going to try playing the entire game without using shortcuts (if I can muster up the willpower). 

I actually played the entire game without using shortcuts, and ONLY the mouse =)
It just felt like such a waste using the shortcuts when the system for the mouse was so brilliant.