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You can make some Soulslike games more manageable without mods by matching the game’s own assist settings, control options and progression systems to the barrier you face. Start with the game’s settings: Steelrising offers adjustable Assist Mode, while Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has five difficulty settings plus separate timing, navigation and input aids. If a game lacks the option you need, platform settings or shared control may help; ordinary upgrades and checkpoints can also reduce pressure. There is no single easy-mode setting or accessory that solves every access need, so begin with the specific task that is difficult.
What is making the game difficult to access?
“Difficulty” can mean several different things. A player may understand an enemy’s pattern but be unable to press multiple controls at once, manage repeated taps, read small text, hear an audio cue, or recover comfortably from losing progress. Those barriers call for different solutions. Lowering incoming damage will not necessarily help with a button-mash prompt, and remapping a button will not make an unreadable HUD easier to see.
Before changing anything, identify the moment that is getting in the way: a parry window, sustained button hold, camera control during movement, poor visual contrast, unclear navigation, or the cost of dying. Then check the game’s own accessibility and control menus. Official settings vary by title; the examples below show several approaches, not a guarantee that every Soulslike has the same options.
| Barrier | What to look for | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Timing or reaction | Slow Mode, a wider parry window, or an easier timing option | How much time you have to respond, if the game provides such an option |
| Repeated presses or long holds | Button-mash alternatives, hold/toggle choices, or remapping | How an action is entered, rather than how much damage enemies deal |
| Motor access or simultaneous controls | In-game remapping, console button assignments, or shared control | Which button performs an action and, in some cases, who can help operate it |
| Visual strain or legibility | Subtitle and HUD sizing, color settings, contrast, zoom, camera-shake or motion options | How information and movement are presented |
| Navigation | Navigation assistance, audio ping, or other route cues | How you find a destination, not necessarily how you fight |
| Loss after death | Assist settings, checkpoints, or progression systems | How much a failed attempt costs or how soon you can try again |
If moving the character and controlling the camera together is the problem, treat it as an input-layout question first. Look for in-game remapping, then see whether your platform offers system-level button assignments. A different layout may make an action easier to reach, but it does not necessarily reduce the number of actions required or change the game’s timing. If one person cannot comfortably manage the controls alone, shared control may be worth checking where the platform supports it.
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How do I find the right setting in a game?
Look for settings that name the barrier, not just a broad difficulty label. A difficulty preset may change enemy damage and timing together, while a separate accessibility option can target a specific action or presentation problem.
- Pause at a difficult section and name the obstacle. For example: “I can’t parry quickly enough,” “I can’t hold this button and steer,” or “I lose the route after respawning.”
- Open the game’s Settings or Options menu. Inspect Accessibility, Controls, Gameplay, Audio, Display and HUD sections; menu names differ by game and platform.
- Change one relevant option at a time. A focused change makes it easier to tell whether it helps and avoids altering unrelated parts of the experience.
- Check the option’s scope and trade-offs. Read whether it can be changed during a run, affects achievements or rewards, or applies to combat, traversal, menus, or all of them.
- Try it in a low-stakes area, then adjust. If the option addresses a different problem than yours, undo it and check another category rather than assuming that no help exists.
For repeated presses or a long hold, look specifically for an alternative input, toggle, or hold setting. For reaction timing, look for a timing window or speed option. For visual strain, inspect the game’s own subtitles, HUD scale, color, camera shake and motion settings before relying on general console display changes. Some games provide granular assists, while others rely more on ordinary progression or platform features. The examples below make those differences concrete.
What can Steelrising’s Assist Mode change?
Steelrising has four adjustable Assist Mode parameters, according to developer Spiders in an account published by Xbox Wire in September 2022: incoming damage, endurance regeneration, whether Anima Essence is retained on death, and the ease of perfect cooldowns. The options target different pressures; the mode does not slow enemy attack timing.
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That distinction is useful when choosing what to adjust. Incoming-damage settings address how punishing enemy hits are; endurance regeneration changes a separate resource constraint; retaining Anima Essence affects what is lost on death; and perfect-cooldown ease targets that particular timing mechanic. None of those descriptions should be read as a general slowdown of enemies or as a change to every combat interaction.
Spiders says Assist Mode can be switched on or off during a run. That flexibility is useful if you want to try help for one section or adapt a setting as your needs change. There is an achievement caveat: activating Assist Mode even once can make some difficulty-related achievements unavailable. The developer also says the majority of controller buttons can be reassigned, which is not a promise that every button can be changed. Spiders’ Assist Mode explanation on Xbox Wire describes the parameters and limitations.
Which accessibility options does Jedi: Survivor offer?
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor combines broad difficulty presets with independent access options. EA documents five difficulty settings, from Story Mode through Jedi Grand Master; Story Mode provides generous parry timing and minimal enemy damage. EA says difficulty can be changed during play while the player is outside combat, and rewards do not differ by difficulty.
For someone whose main difficulty is the timing of a parry, a preset can therefore be relevant in Jedi: Survivor, but it is not the only route. A player struggling with a repeated button input, navigation or screen legibility can examine the more specific options instead. The ability to change difficulty outside combat also means you do not have to treat the first selection as permanent.
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- Timing: Slow Mode affects both combat and platforming.
- Input: Remapping and alternatives to some button-mash or button-hold actions.
- Navigation: Navigation assistance with an audio ping.
- Visual presentation: Subtitles and captions, HUD scaling, color settings and camera-shake adjustment.
These options let you separate a timing barrier from a navigation or input barrier instead of relying only on a single difficulty preset. For instance, an audio ping may be relevant when finding a route is the obstacle, but it is not a substitute for a combat timing aid. Likewise, HUD scaling targets information size rather than enemy damage.
EA’s detailed settings description is specifically for PC. Check the menus on your own platform rather than assuming every setting is described or implemented identically across platforms. See EA’s accessibility description for Jedi: Survivor.
How can Elden Ring be more manageable without a difficulty toggle?
Bandai Namco’s introductory guide documents ways to build character strength, improve healing and reduce the distance between a failed attempt and a retry. These are normal game systems, not evidence of an undocumented easy-mode setting.
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Use progression to change the next attempt
Leveling and improving flasks at Sites of Grace can make a character better equipped for a difficult encounter. If a fight feels like a wall, exploring, collecting resources and returning after an upgrade is a legitimate no-mod approach; it changes the character’s preparation rather than promising that the enemy’s attack pattern will change.
This can be a practical alternative when the game does not offer a difficulty slider. Instead of repeating the same encounter immediately, use the game’s progression systems, then judge whether the next attempt is more manageable. The guide documents leveling and flask improvements, but does not frame them as an automatic solution for every player or boss.
Use eligible spirit summons and nearby respawns
Spirit Ashes can be summoned at eligible locations. Bandai Namco’s guide also explains that a nearby Stake of Marika can be selected as a respawn point. A closer return point may make repeated attempts less burdensome. Spirit summons cannot be used during multiplayer, so do not treat summoning and multiplayer as simultaneous fixes.
The guide’s controller-settings section describes controls, but it does not establish that every control can be freely reassigned. For the documented progression and summon details, consult Bandai Namco’s Elden Ring starter guide.
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PS5 provides system-level options that may help with controller input and display legibility. They are console features, not features added to every game, and the exact benefit depends on the title and the barrier. These are free settings to try before considering new hardware, assuming you already have a compatible PS5 controller.
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Reassign DualSense buttons
To change a DualSense Wireless Controller layout, go to Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Custom Button Assignments for DualSense Wireless Controller. A reassignment can move an action to a button that is easier for you to reach. It does not create a new in-game action or guarantee that every control combination will become comfortable. If the problem is pressing dodge while moving the camera, remapping may help if a more workable assignment is available, but it cannot be assumed to solve the coordination demand in every game.
Sony documents the path and its other PS5 accessibility options on its PS5 accessibility settings page.
Adjust display presentation
Under Settings > Accessibility > Display and Sound, Sony documents options including color correction, text size, high contrast and reduced motion; zoom is also available. These may improve console-level viewing, but an individual game’s subtitle, HUD or color options can offer more targeted adjustments. Reduced motion or zoom may be useful to explore for viewing comfort, but they do not change the game’s combat rules.
The PlayStation Store hub for a game may list accessibility features supplied by that game’s developer. Treat those tags as information about that specific title, not proof that other games have the same options. Sony documents its console screen reader and supported media captions separately from individual game subtitles; do not assume the console screen reader narrates every game’s menus or gameplay.
Can another person help control the game on PS5?
Yes. PS5’s second-controller assistance feature lets two paired compatible controllers act as one for the same user. It can make a difficult section a shared control task, which is different from handing over the controller or changing the game’s difficulty. It may be useful if one player can manage some inputs while another helps with others, although whether that arrangement works depends on the task and the people sharing control.
To enable it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Use Second Controller for Assistance, then connect and assign both controllers to the same user as Sony instructs. Sony describes the feature this way: “The second controller for assistance feature lets you use two controllers as if they are one controller.” Try an existing compatible controller before buying another. A DualSense Edge can serve as the main controller but not the assist controller, and Sony lists additional assist-controller limitations. See Sony’s second-controller assistance instructions for compatibility details.
When is adaptive controller hardware worth considering?
Consider optional hardware only after checking the game’s controls and the platform settings available to you. It may be useful when the physical layout or reach of a conventional controller remains the obstacle, but no controller is a universal solution for every access need or platform. Try free in-game and console settings first, and check whether a compatible controller you already own can help.
Access controller for PS5
Sony’s Access controller for PS5 is designed around adaptable input: its button caps can be rearranged, its placement can be flexible, inputs can be customized, and stick behavior can be adjusted. It supports compatible external switches through 3.5 mm ports and can be combined with a DualSense or DualSense Edge. Check switch compatibility and the game’s control options before choosing a layout.
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Those options make it a distinct consideration when a conventional controller’s button placement or operation is the remaining barrier. They do not mean every switch, setup or game will work in the same way, so confirm the compatibility details for the particular accessory and arrangement you need.
Sony’s support documentation also identifies functions the Access controller itself does not provide, including vibration, a motion sensor and a headset jack. Those limits matter if you rely on a particular feature or accessory. Do not assume that every third-party switch or controller setup is compatible.
DualSense Edge
DualSense Edge is a different option: a conventional PS5 controller with saved layouts and adjustable stick and trigger response. It may suit someone who needs those forms of input tuning, but it is not the same kind of flexible button-and-switch arrangement as the Access controller. Neither product should be treated as a universal PC, Xbox or third-party-device solution; check the manufacturer’s compatibility information for the actual platform and setup.
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The choice is therefore not simply “standard controller or accessible controller.” A saved layout or adjustable stick response may be the relevant feature for one player; flexible placement, rearranged caps or compatible external switches may matter more for another. If the need is timing, readable text, audio navigation or reduced loss on death, buying a controller may not address it at all.
What should I check before changing settings?
One adjustment can have consequences beyond the immediate encounter. Before settling on a configuration, check these points in the game or platform documentation:
- What does the setting affect? Damage, timing, stamina, navigation, display and input are distinct. Choose a setting whose stated scope matches the barrier.
- Can it be changed mid-run? Steelrising’s developer says its Assist Mode can be enabled or disabled during a run; Jedi: Survivor difficulty can be changed outside combat. Do not assume other games work the same way.
- Could it affect achievements or rewards? Steelrising warns that activating Assist Mode can make some difficulty-related achievements unavailable. EA says Jedi: Survivor rewards do not differ by difficulty. Neither policy should be generalized to other games.
- Is the option platform-specific? EA’s detailed Jedi: Survivor settings page is for PC, and Sony’s remapping and shared-control instructions are PS5 examples.
- Does a controller feature solve the actual problem? Button reassignment can change where an action is placed; it cannot by itself widen a timing window or improve a game’s navigation cues.
- Will the option apply to the activity you find difficult? Slow Mode in Jedi: Survivor is documented for combat and platforming, while other settings have narrower scopes. Check the description rather than inferring a feature’s reach from its name.
- Are you considering hardware for a specific need? Confirm the platform, controller and external-switch compatibility before purchasing. A product feature list is not a promise that every game or third-party accessory will work with it.
There are no genre-wide achievement or reward rules to rely on. The cited examples illustrate why checking matters: Steelrising’s warning is tied to its Assist Mode, while Jedi: Survivor’s no-difference statement concerns rewards across its difficulty settings. Do not assume one game’s policy applies to another.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do I choose where to start?
Use the least disruptive option that addresses the barrier, then add another only if needed. That could mean an in-game timing aid for a parry, a button-hold alternative for a prompt, a larger HUD for legibility, or an upgrade and closer checkpoint for repeated attempts. If the game does not supply a suitable option, check platform remapping or shared control before spending money on hardware.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchMost importantly, do not treat assistance as a single all-or-nothing choice. These examples show different paths: a granular assist mode in one game, separate accessibility options and difficulty settings in another, ordinary progression in a third, and console-level support on PS5. Check the specific title and platform you play, because the available tools and their consequences are not universal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do accessibility settings in a Soulslike disable achievements?
There is no genre-wide rule. The documented examples differ: Steelrising warns that activating Assist Mode can block some difficulty-related achievements, while EA says Jedi: Survivor rewards do not differ by difficulty. Check the specific game’s explanation before enabling an option if a particular achievement matters to you.
Will PS5’s screen reader read a Soulslike’s menus aloud?
Sony documents the console screen reader separately from individual games’ subtitles and supported media captions. The available information does not establish universal narration of game menus or gameplay, so check the game’s own accessibility description and settings.
Can two people play Elden Ring together and use spirit summons at the same time?
Bandai Namco’s starter guide says spirit summons cannot be used during multiplayer. They are separate approaches to a difficult encounter, not fixes that can be combined simultaneously.
Can I slow down combat in every Soulslike without mods?
No. The documented options vary by game. Jedi: Survivor has a Slow Mode that affects combat and platforming; Steelrising’s Assist Mode changes four other parameters and does not slow enemy attack timing. Check the particular game’s settings rather than expecting a genre-wide speed control.
What can I try if I can’t dodge and move the camera at the same time?
First check the game’s control menu for remapping, then check your platform’s button-assignment options. On PS5, DualSense button assignments can be changed in Accessibility settings. Remapping may make an input easier to reach, but it cannot guarantee that every simultaneous-control demand will be solved. PS5’s second-controller assistance can also let two compatible controllers operate as one for the same user.
Should I buy an adaptive controller before trying settings?
Usually, first check the game’s controls and any free platform settings, and try a compatible controller you already own. Consider hardware if the physical layout or reach of a conventional controller remains the barrier. Confirm platform and accessory compatibility for the specific setup; no product fits every need.
Does lowering difficulty change rewards in Jedi: Survivor?
EA says rewards do not differ by difficulty in Jedi: Survivor, and difficulty can be changed while outside combat. That policy is specific to this game and should not be assumed for other titles.
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Start by naming the barrier, then choose the matching in-game setting, progression option or platform feature. Verify timing, control, compatibility and achievement trade-offs for your specific game. Try free options first; consider hardware only if the controller layout itself remains the problem.
