Control Europe Controls (February 2026) Expert Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
February 3, 2026
Gaming

If you are diving into the mysterious shifting halls of The Oldest House, you need absolute precision. Whether you are playing on a standard console in the EU region or tweaking your PC settings for a QWERTY or AZERTY keyboard, knowing your controls is the first step to stopping the Hiss.

In this comprehensive Control Europe Controls Guide for March 2026, I’ll walk you through every default button layout, explain how the mechanics actually work, and show you exactly how to optimize your settings for smoother combat. No more fumbling for the Grenade button when a corrupted horde is rushing you.

Quick Reference: Default Controls

Here is the baseline setup for the major platforms. Note that while layouts are standard, specific keybinds might vary slightly based on your region’s keyboard layout (more on that later).

Action	PC (Keyboard)	PlayStation (PS4/PS5)	Xbox (Series X\|S / One)
Move	W, A, S, D	Left Stick	Left Stick
Look	Mouse	Right Stick	Right Stick
Fire	Left Mouse Button	R2	RT
Aim	Right Mouse Button	L2	LT
Launch (Ability)	Q	L1	LB
Levitate	Space	X	A
Evade (Dash)	Shift / Ctrl	Circle	B
Shield	F	L1 (Hold)	LB (Hold)
Seize	E	R1 (Hold)	RB (Hold)
Weapon Wheel	Tab	L1	LB (Hold + D-Pad)

Note: The “Launch” and “Shield” abilities often share buttons depending on your equipped loadout settings. I will break down the nuances below.

Control Europe Controls: PC Layouts & Keyboard Variations

Playing Control on PC offers the highest precision, but if you are in Europe using a different keyboard layout, the default US settings might feel weird. Here is how to handle it.

Standard WASD Controls

For most players, the classic FPS setup applies:

Movement: W, A, S, D
Interact/Pickup: E
Jump/Levitate: Spacebar
Crouch: Ctrl (Left Control)
Sprint: Shift (Left Shift)

Dealing with European Keyboard Layouts (AZERTY/QWERTZ)

One common issue I hear about from European players is that the default keybinds don’t align with their keyboards (e.g., ‘Z’ and ‘Y’ are swapped on QWERTZ, or A/Q are swapped on AZERTY).

The Issue: On a QWERTZ keyboard (common in Germany), the ‘Z’ key is where ‘Y’ is on US keyboards. If a game asks you to press ‘Y’, you might instinctively reach for the ‘Z’ position.
The Fix:Control usually auto-detects your OS language, but it doesn’t always remap the displayed prompts correctly.
- Recommendation: Go to Settings > Controls and manually remap the interactions to keys that feel natural. I often recommend rebinding Interact to ‘F’ or ‘B’ to avoid conflicts with movement keys near WASD.
- Gesture Menu: This is often bound to ‘G’ or ‘Z’. Ensure this key is far enough away from your movement keys so you don’t accidentally open it during a boss fight like the Former or the Anchor.

Mouse & Button Bindings

Mouse aiming is superior for dealing with the flying Hiss targets.

Fire: Left Click
Aim: Right Click (Hold to zoom)
Service Weapon / Form Switch: Scroll Wheel Up/Down or Middle Click.
- Pro Tip: Rebinding weapon switching to ‘Side Mouse Buttons’ (if your mouse has them) is a game-changer. It keeps your fingers on WASD while swapping between the Spin and Pierce forms instantly.

Console Controller Schemes (PlayStation & Xbox)

Controller gameplay in Control feels fluid, especially with the vibration feedback turned on. The game utilizes a modular ability system that maps to the shoulder buttons.

Face Buttons

X / A:Jump / Levitate.
- Mechanic: Tapping once jumps. Holding it activates Levitate, allowing Jesse to float. You can tap Jump again while levitating to gain a small burst of height.
Circle / B:Evade / Dash.
- Mechanic: This is your best friend. Pressing it makes Jesse dash quickly in the direction you are moving. You can dash up to three times before the stamina meter (seen above the health bar) recharges.
Square / X:Melee.
- Mechanic: A swift punch with the Service Weapon. Good for breaking shields on basic enemies, but use it sparingly against tougher foes.
Triangle / Y:Interact / Pick Up.
- Mechanic: Used to read documents, pick up items, and revive allies in multiplayer modes (if applicable, though Control is primarily single-player).

Shoulder Buttons & Triggers

This is where the magic happens. The default scheme places your supernatural abilities here.

L2 / LT:Aim.
- Note: Holding this zooms in with your current weapon form.
R2 / RT:Fire.
- Note: Charges up shots automatically for forms like the Charge or Shatter.
L1 / LB:Launch / Throw Ability.
- The Launch Power: This is often your primary offensive ability. You pick up objects (debris, chunks of concrete, red explosive barrels) and hurl them at enemies.
- Execution: Tap L1/LB to launch an object instantly. Hold L1/LB to enter an aiming mode similar to a grenade arc, allowing you to curve the throw around corners.
R1 / RB:Grenade / Shield / Seize (Context Sensitive).
- The Modularity: This button changes function based on which Personal Mod you have equipped in your “Pad” slot.
- Shield: If you have the Shield mod equipped, holding R1/RB creates a protective barrier that absorbs damage. You can move while shielding, but slowly.
- Seize: If you have the Seize mod equipped, holding R1/RB fires a projectile that mind-controls an enemy, forcing them to fight for you.
- Grenade: Launches an explosive crystal (commonly used in “The Foundation” DLC).

Advanced Control Mechanics & Flow

Knowing the buttons is one thing; using them in the “Control Flow” is another. Here is how I combine inputs to dominate the Board.

The Levitate Dash Combo

This is essential for traversing the map and dodging heavy attacks.

Levitate: Hold X/A (float up).
Aim: Hold L2/LT (to look where you want to go).
Dash: Press Circle/B.
Result: You perform a long-range aerial glide. You can chain dashes in the air (up to your stamina limit) to fly across large rooms in the Maintenance or Research sectors.

Weapon Switching Mid-Air

Don’t stay in one form too long.

If you are flying (Levitating) and run out of ammo for the Spin form, quickly tap the Scroll Wheel (PC) or D-Pad (Console) to switch to Pierce. You don’t need to land to reload; you just need to switch weapons to keep the pressure on.

The “Launch” Curve

Many players just spam L1/LB and hope for the best.

Advanced Tip: When you hold L1/LB, a trajectory arc appears. If you move your Left Stick while holding that aim, you can curve the throw around cover. This is vital for hitting the red glowing weak points on the Rift Points that an enemy might be guarding.

Best Settings for Gameplay Optimization

To make the Control Europe controls feel responsive, you need to tweak the settings menu. I’ve tested these on both high-end PCs and standard consoles.

Sensitivity Settings

Look Sensitivity: I recommend keeping this between 4 and 6 (on a 1-10 scale). Control has a lot of chaotic visual effects. If your sensitivity is too high, you will get disoriented during fights with the Ashtray Maze or when the Hiss corruption shifts the walls.
Aim Sensitivity: Set this slightly lower than your Look Sensitivity (e.g., 3 or 4). Precision is more important than speed when you are trying to hit a floating flying enemy with the Pierce form.

Controller Deadzone

Issue: If your controller stick is drifting (your character moves slowly when you aren’t touching it), it ruins combat.
Fix: Go to Settings > Gameplay. Increase the “Controller Deadzone” to the small notch just above zero. This eliminates tiny movements without making the controls feel “heavy.”

Invert Y-Axis

A standard preference for flight simulator or veteran shooter players. If you play flight sims, toggle “Invert Y-Axis” to On. Crucially, ensure “Invert Y-Axis in Flight” is also checked if you want Levitate to feel natural.

Vibration

Keep this On. The haptic feedback in Control is excellent. It warns you when you are taking damage from behind (through the shield) and gives physical weight to the “Launch” ability.

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

Even with a solid guide, things can go wrong. Here are fixes for common issues I’ve found in forums and verified myself.

My Launch button isn’t working

Cause: You might be out of “Launch Energy” or you are trying to launch an object that is welded to the floor.
Solution: Wait for the small energy meter near your reticle to refill. Also, look for smaller chunks of concrete. Large red barrels work, but sometimes the game physics rejects an object if you are standing too close to a wall.

Mouse feels laggy on PC

Cause: This is often the “Motion Blur” or “Depth of Field” settings interacting poorly with certain refresh rates.
Solution: Turn Motion Blur to Off or Low. Turn Depth of Field to Off. This instantly makes the game feel snappier and improves visibility during fast movements.

The text prompts don’t match my controller

Cause: This happens if you are using a PS5 controller on a PC (via Bluetooth) without a specific layout setting.
Solution: In Steam (if playing via Steam), go to Controller Settings > General Controller Settings and ensure your PlayStation controller is properly calibrated. Sometimes you need to force the layout to “Generic Gamepad” or “Xbox Configuration” to get the button prompts to match (X, A, B, Y).

FAQ’s

What is the best button for “Launch” on a controller?

The default is L1/LB. I highly recommend keeping it there. If you move Launch to a face button (like Triangle/Y), you have to take your thumb off the movement stick to throw objects, which makes you a sitting duck.

Does “Europe Controls” mean different button layouts for EU versions?

No, the core button layouts (Xbox/PS/PC) are the same globally. The “Europe” distinction usually refers to keyboard layout differences (QWERTY vs AZERTY) or PAL region standards, but the in-game prompts remain consistent with the hardware you are using.

How do I use the “Shield” effectively?

Hold R1/RB (or your bound key). You can move slowly while shielding. Use it to absorb a single heavy hit from a boss, then release it immediately to dash away and counter-attack. Don’t hold it for too long or enemies will flank you.

Why does my character fly when I jump?

You are likely holding the Jump button (X/A) too long. A quick tap is a standard jump. Holding the button down activates the Levitate module. Try to tap unless you intend to fly.

Conclusion

Mastering the Control Europe controls is about finding the rhythm between the gritty gunplay of the Service Weapon and the chaotic power of your telekinetic abilities. Whether you are using a QWERTZ keyboard in Berlin or a standard gamepad in London, the key is customization. Don’t be afraid to head into the settings and remap the Grenade or Shield buttons if they don’t feel natural.

Once you have the controls down, the Oldest House stops feeling like a maze and starts feeling like your playground. Go out there, Director, and take back control.