20 Best Uses Of Haptic Feedback In Games

Haptic feedback, once just a basic vibration, has become a sophisticated way for games to let you feel what’s happening on screen. Game creators are now using controller vibrations and triggers to simulate things like the kickback of a gun, the changing weather, how well your car grips the road, and even the beat of the music. When done well, this makes gameplay more intuitive and helps players understand what’s going on without relying on on-screen instructions. Here are some great examples of how clever haptic feedback can teach you how to play, improve your awareness, and make the game world feel more real.

‘Astro’s Playroom’

This game uses the controller to realistically simulate different surfaces like ice, sand, and metal – you can actually feel the difference as you move. When you jump with a spring suit, the controller gives you tactile feedback to help with timing. Even environmental effects like rain and wind are felt through the controller. Small tools, such as a ball and rocket, respond to your actions with precise vibrations, making the experience feel more connected and immersive.

‘Returnal’

Rain feels light as gentle taps on the controller, but heavy storms create strong vibrations to warn you of danger. Tapping the fire button halfway lets you feel exactly when your weapon is ready to fire again. Each weapon type has its own unique kick and vibration, so you can tell them apart without looking at the screen. Even the ground feels different – you’ll notice the texture change when you walk on surfaces like mud or metal.

‘Gran Turismo 7’

The steering wheel provides realistic feedback, letting you feel how much grip the tires have – a gentle vibration that grows stronger as you approach the limit. The brake pedal pulses to help you learn how to brake effectively by feel, not just by sight. Different vibrations signal different road surfaces – you can ‘read’ the track through the wheel, making it easier to find the racing line. In wet conditions, a constant, softer vibration warns you about losing grip before you can see it.

‘Forza Horizon 5’

Impulse triggers use unique vibrations for each index finger, providing clear feedback for braking and acceleration. If the wheels spin, you’ll feel fast pulses through the throttle; if the brakes lock up, you’ll feel a rougher vibration. When driving off-road, the vibrations become a looser rumble to indicate less traction. The strength of these vibrations changes depending on the vehicle type, so you can feel the weight and handling differences between a large truck and a small car.

‘The Last Of Us Part I’

When you pull back a bow, the controller creates increasing resistance, like stretching a bowstring, and then releases it smoothly. Each gun has a unique recoil pattern, allowing you to feel the difference without needing to check how many bullets you have left. Quiet movement reduces controller vibration to feel like careful footsteps, while sudden, loud actions cause strong vibrations to emphasize the danger. Sounds like rain or falling objects also add to the experience, making it easier to understand what’s happening around you.

‘Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’

Switching between firing modes on each weapon feels natural, as you’ll hit a distinct point on the trigger with your finger. The controller provides different vibrations for bullets, lasers, and explosives, letting you feel what kind of impact you’ve made. When using the Rift tether, you’ll feel a strong pull that matches the in-game camera movement. Finally, interacting with gadgets like grinding rails or gliding feels unique thanks to realistic and noticeable controller textures.

‘God Of War Ragnarök’

As a player, I’ve really noticed how the sound design in this game helps with the gameplay. When I recall my axe, there’s this cool, building thump that hits just as it lands in my hand, giving me perfect timing. And when I pull off a parry, it’s not just visual – you get this crisp, satisfying click that lets you know you nailed it, even when a lot is happening on screen. The really powerful attacks, the ones with long cooldowns, have this deep, rumbling vibration that makes them feel truly impactful. What’s smart is that when I’m just moving around, climbing or using the sled, the sounds are lighter and different, so they don’t get mixed up with the sounds of fighting. It all just feels so well thought out!

‘Horizon Forbidden West’

As a gamer, I really notice how different surfaces feel in this game. Walking on sand, rocks, and grass all give me unique vibrations through the controller, and it instantly changes when I move between them. It’s cool how the feel of shooting different weapons changes too – each bow and sling has a distinct ‘pull’ and impact, so I always know what I’m firing. When big machines move, you feel their weight in the controller, which is awesome for timing dodges. And when I’m gliding or swimming, the vibrations become smoother and quieter, which makes those movements feel really natural.

‘Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II’

Each gun feels different thanks to custom trigger resistance that’s tailored to its size and how quickly it fires. Silencers make recoil gentler, while powerful rifles have a stronger kick. When you reload, you’ll feel a quick, subtle vibration to confirm it registered, so you don’t need to watch the animation. Tactical gear, like stun and flashbangs, also has unique vibrations when deployed, letting you identify them by feel.

‘Resident Evil 4’

Near misses with the chainsaw create a shaky, growing sensation as enemies approach. Each handgun and shotgun shot feels unique, helping you quickly identify your weapon during intense fights. Successfully blocking with a knife creates a sharp, noticeable impact. Plus, mechanical sounds from traps and cranks give you important feedback to help time your actions when things get stressful.

‘Spider Man: Miles Morales’

Swinging through the city feels fluid, with a slight boost at the lowest point of each swing to help maintain momentum. When you use the Venom ability, a distinct electric sound and visual effect clearly show when you’ve hit an enemy. Wall running and quickly zipping to a new location are highlighted with visual changes to make them easier to follow. The photo mode controls are designed to feel like actually pressing the shutter button on a camera.

‘Demon’s Souls’

Well-timed blocks and parries create a satisfying, crisp sound. Each weapon type—from large greatswords to quick daggers—feels unique when it hits. When you cast spells, you’ll feel a gentle build-up leading to the moment of release, making the timing easier to master. Powerful boss attacks, like roars and stomps, deliver stronger vibrations that signal incoming area-of-effect attacks.

‘Deathloop’

If a gun malfunctions, the trigger locks up, making it obvious something’s wrong. Once the issue is fixed, you’ll usually feel and hear a small click. Silencers lessen the gun’s recoil, fitting their quiet function. Devices like mines and turrets have distinct sounds when placed and triggered, helping you quickly recognize them.

‘Final Fantasy XVI’

Powerful actions create distinct vibrations that build up when you strike and then fade after impact. Sword fighting produces quick bursts of vibration that let you feel successful blocks and attacks. Large-scale magical events generate longer, deeper vibrations that match the impressive visuals. Riding a chocobo creates a steady, rhythmic pulse that helps you keep pace during long journeys.

‘Ghost Of Tsushima Director’s Cut’

Swords make distinct sounds for glancing blows versus powerful impacts. Bows become harder to pull, letting you know how much force you’re using for accurate aiming. The rhythm of your horse’s hooves changes with its speed, helping you maintain the right pace. Subtle vibrations guide you by indicating wind direction, making navigation easier.

‘Tetris Effect Connected’

The game’s touch feedback responds to the music, with pulses matching the rhythm and visual effects. Each level has its own unique vibration pattern that fits the music’s style. When you clear a lot of lines at once, you’ll feel stronger, layered waves across the playing surface. During quieter songs, the vibrations are subtle, helping you stay focused on the beat.

‘Super Mario Odyssey’

Some moons are hidden within objects that react more strongly when you get close. The controller’s brightness changes as you move, helping you pinpoint their location. When these objects roll or are captured, their textures change to show their new shape. Bosses give hints through short, repeating patterns, letting you anticipate their next attack.

‘Splatoon 3’

As a huge fan, I love how each map feels totally unique thanks to the way the game handles shooting, movement, and special abilities. It really changes up how you use different weapons! Plus, the ink tank doesn’t just deplete – it pulses when it’s getting low, which is a clever way to let you know you need to fall back and refill. They’ve even made the visual feedback match the impact of things like Splat Bombs and Ink Storms – bigger splashes for bigger effects. And when you’re swimming through ink, it feels super smooth, which just encourages you to play sneaky. It all adds up to a really immersive experience!

‘Ring Fit Adventure’

Top performers get clear physical feedback when actions are successful, like a button click that you can feel along with on-screen confirmation. The tension in the controls provides consistent pressure, helping users maintain a good rhythm. Fun, quick games use vibrations to help with timing, so you don’t need to constantly look at the screen. During challenging moments, stronger vibrations signal danger and encourage players to protect themselves.

‘Ghostwire Tokyo’

When you charge elemental attacks, a growing hum builds to its strongest point. Collecting cores creates a swirling visual effect that mirrors the on-screen prompt. You can hear faint footsteps from nearby spirits, giving you a clue about their location while you explore. Using talismans creates brief, distinct sound effects, helping you quickly tell the difference between helpful items and attacks.

Tell us about times when a game’s vibrations or touch feedback really stood out to you! We’d also love to hear which games helped you understand something new through how they felt to play.

2025-12-05 03:46