I don't play FPS by controller fluently, being a PC gamer. Because of [b]reasons[/b], I am awaiting Destiny for the PS4 and its beta and in doing so forsaking my own master race for the love of Bungie. I went ahead and got a PS3 and a year subscription for PS+ for the beta. I took the GameStop deal for a used PS3 and one free game. The game I chose was Far Cry 3. I decided this game would be my best bet to mastering several essential FPS aspects with my controller, especially considering the number of features that can be toggled off to make the challenge more intense.
I can explain in the following spoiler what considerations I am making as I play Far Cry 3 by DualShock 3 Six Axis. My goal was to master controller play in the most effective and quickest way possible while fostering learning habits that will benefit me when I play Destiny. I believe the way to do that was through a bit of brutality in difficulties considering where I am starting from and how long I have before that beta arrives. Tell me what you think of my idea and what game you would suggest (and why) to a PC gamer looking for raw, trial-by-fire spartan training in controller FPS gameplay as if the fate of humanity depended on him/her learning the ropes as quickly as possible.
[spoiler]
1) The Dual Shock Six Axis is presumably a more awkward controller than what the Dual Shock 4 will be for FPS play. The sticks have convex tops, the "triggers" are rather square and small, and the backside of the grips are entirely smooth plastic. The Dual Shock 4 will presumably make everything more comfortable. The basic philosophy is that when you play with an inferior product that operates the same way, you will be even more masterful using something that is more comfortable. The same applies to the gameplay facets below.
2) Far Cry 3 allows for one to turn off direction indicators to alert where shots are fired from or how close to spotting you the enemy is, and turn up sensitivity. Combined with dense jungle settings, a lack of ability to sight hostile fauna on the HUD map, and the game's emphasis on stealth aspects, this is significant because it forces a heightened amount of situational awareness, my weakest skill with a controller (the mouse lets me look anywhere intuitively at the precise speeds and directions as I desire; currently, my thumbs aren't trained to that extent).
I can't turn off the HUD map, but I suppose I can try to not look at it too much. The same goes with tagging things by camera. Over time, I will hopefully grow to have better habits while kicking the ones that make my life easier with respect to awareness.
3) Health and terrain management in Far Cry 3 can become issues. There is very limited health regeneration when not using medicine. Healing without medicine is time consuming and doesn't allow you to keep fighting while you are doing it. Over many failures, this will enhance danger instincts and my ability to size up situations. Terrain is a significant element in this equation of survival as well, as I can be shot down in open fields while running. Terrain can also be used to trap or confound the enemy. Learning to use the highly diverse set of terrains in Far Cry 3 is expected to enhance and inform how I play Destiny or any other console FPS.
4) Turning auto-aim off will remove the primary handicap controller-users employ to play FPS. I abandon it so that when I do use it for other games, I will have polished stick motion. In calm sniper situations, I can contemplate how gentle the aim can shift, while in close situations (when I panic if it's a controller in my hand), I still need to focus on lining up my sights to perform takedowns or use shotguns. Reactions in the latter case can be sharpened through repetition. When I get comfortable, I will hopefully end up abandoning stealth outright and attempting full fire fights with the AI. We'll see how that goes, but in any case, no auto-aim seems the surest way I will have good thumb habits under my belt.
5) Destiny will be an FPS with open-world and RPG elements. Far Cry is an FPS with open-world and RPG elements. I figure that even though the variety of Destiny's enemies will be greater, Far Cry 3 will feel similar. I can get into the spirit of knowing what tactical advantages I like having in combat this way, as with RPGs you can pick and choose how you fight and what you fight with.
[/spoiler]
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There isn't a trick to it. Just as there isn't a trick to getting used to PC mouse/keyboard controls. Just play any game casually, and you'll pick it up in a few days, maybe less.