If your controller is not working in The Crimson Hunt, the issue is typically caused by input assignment bugs where the game locks your gamepad to Player 2, or conflicts occurring during Steam Remote Play Together sessions. Developer Farelas lists full controller support on the game's official Steam store page and has released patches targeting gamepad bugs, but specific co-op and menu detection issues have been reported by the community.
Known Gamepad Issues in The Crimson Hunt
Player discussions on the official Steam Community forums highlight several specific ways controller inputs fail:
- Works in Menu but Unresponsive In-Game: Players have reported that gamepads navigate the title screen and start a new game normally, but completely stop responding once gameplay begins. Even pausing does not restore gamepad control over the pause menu. Players analyzing the issue found that the game occasionally misassigns the primary controller input exclusively to Player 2.
- One Controller Controlling Both Characters: During Steam Remote Play Together sessions with one controller and a keyboard/mouse setup, players noted that a single controller registered simultaneously as Player 1 and Player 2, causing one input device to control both Victoria and Eleanor at the same time.
- Controller Disconnect Glitch: In remote co-op playthroughs, if the joining player's controller disconnects mid-game, the control scheme breaks: the host player gets reassigned to control Eleanor with the controller while Victoria is locked to the keyboard. Players confirmed this state cannot be remapped on the fly and requires a full game restart.
Troubleshooting and Workarounds
Because these problems stem from internal input mapping and co-op configuration bugs, apply the following steps based on official updates and player findings:
- Install the Latest Game Updates and Hotfixes: Developer Farelas noted on the Steam forums that a gamepad issue was fixed in a patch. Check your Steam client to ensure The Crimson Hunt has installed all recent hotfixes and patch notes.
- Verify Xbox-Based Controller Compatibility: Community members testing different setups reported smooth, issue-free playthroughs when using standard Xbox-based controllers. If you are using third-party or legacy gamepads, ensure your input configuration translates to standard XInput.
- Restart the Session After Disconnects: If a controller disconnects during local split-screen or Remote Play Together, restart the application immediately. Reconnecting a dropped controller mid-session has been verified to cause persistent character desyncs and control swapping between Victoria and Eleanor.
- Inspect Remote Play Input Slots: When playing co-op via Steam Remote Play Together, open the Steam Overlay and check how guest controllers are allocated. Avoid mixing an unassigned controller with a keyboard player if the game detects both inputs under a single player profile.
The Crimson Hunt Controller Specifications
| Feature / Detail | Official Specification |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Farelas |
| Controller Support Level | Full controller support |
| Co-op Modes Supported | Local Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Steam Remote Play Together |
| Confirmed Working Hardware | Xbox-based controllers (reported by community players) |
| Developer Patch Status | Gamepad fixes addressed in official patch updates |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Crimson Hunt officially support controllers?
Yes. The official Steam store page confirms full controller support for The Crimson Hunt, alongside local shared/split-screen co-op and Remote Play Together.
Why does my controller only work in the main menu?
Steam forum reports indicate an assignment bug where the game registers your controller for menu navigation, but shifts the device's binding to Player 2 once the game loads. Keeping your game updated to the latest patch is the primary fix noted by the developer.
Can I play online co-op without Remote Play Together?
No. The game does not feature dedicated online multiplayer servers. It supports single-player and local split-screen co-op, with online functionality handled through Steam Remote Play Together.
