STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions gives you far more mobility than the original ASTRONEER. You can sprint, roll, climb, swim, dash through water, deform terrain, scan discoveries, throw objects and swap EXO Multi Tool functions while exploring Tephra.
The default PlayStation 5 layout puts the actions you use constantly on the face buttons and triggers. Cross jumps, Circle crouches or rolls, Square interacts, Triangle picks things up, R2 deforms terrain and R1 operates the active nozzle. Several inputs change according to context, especially while carrying an object, climbing or swimming.
The controls below match the default DualSense mapping shown in the current game settings. STARSEEKER also supports controller remapping, stick sensitivity adjustment and stick inversion, so your personal layout can differ.
Basic Controls
| Action | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|
| Move | Left Stick |
| Look | Right Stick |
| Jump | Cross |
| Sprint | L3 |
| Crouch / Roll | Circle |
| Interact | Square |
| Pick Up | Triangle |
| Deform Terrain | R2 |
| Nozzle | R1 |
| Scan | R3 |
| Communications Wheel | L1 |
| Quick Item Left | D Pad Left |
| Quick Item Right | D Pad Right |
| Quick Item Deploy | D Pad Down |
| Item Wheel | L2 |
| Digital Assistant Device | Options Button |
| Planet View | D Pad Up |
Movement and Sprinting
Use the left stick to move and press L3 to sprint. Sprinting is useful when crossing open ground, returning to a Landing Site or moving between objectives during a timed Expedition.
Do not sprint blindly into unfamiliar terrain. Tephra contains hostile wildlife, dangerous plants, water and terrain that can suddenly drop away beneath you.
Keep Your Route Home in Mind
Every Expedition runs against your oxygen supply. Moving quickly is useful, but knowing where the nearest Landing Site is matters more than reaching one extra resource deposit.
Jumping
Press Cross to jump.
Jumping is useful for ordinary traversal, crossing uneven terrain and starting climbs. STARSEEKER encourages much more active movement than the original ASTRONEER, so jumping quickly becomes part of normal exploration rather than something you use occasionally.
Look before Jumping into a Cave
Terrain can be deformed freely, which also means an innocent looking opening can lead much farther down than expected. Scan and inspect unfamiliar drops before committing.
Crouching and Rolling
Press Circle for the contextual Crouch / Roll action.
Crouching helps when moving through low spaces, while rolling gives you a quick evasive option when creatures or environmental hazards put you in danger.
Roll Sideways rather than Straight Back
When avoiding a charging creature or hazard, moving across its path can create more separation than retreating directly along the same line.
Interacting
Press Square to interact with objects, devices and other contextual targets.
Because expeditions contain wreckage, mission equipment, crafting elements and interactive objects, Square is one of the buttons you will use most frequently.
Face the Exact Target
If an interaction does not appear, adjust your position and camera slightly. Closely packed objects can sometimes compete for the same interaction space.
Picking Up Objects
Press Triangle to pick up an object.
Objects in STARSEEKER are more than simple collectibles. Different items can be carried, dropped, thrown or used to interact with creatures and the environment.
Experiment with Objects
A strange item may have a practical use even when it does not look like conventional equipment. The game encourages physical experimentation as part of solving expedition problems.
Controls while Holding an Item
| Action | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|
| Throw Item | R2 |
| Drop Item | D Pad Down |
R2 changes from terrain deformation to throwing while an item is being carried. This is a good example of STARSEEKER's contextual controller design.
Throw with a Purpose
Thrown objects can help with certain creatures and environmental interactions. Do not assume every object belongs in your backpack.
Using the EXO Multi Tool
The EXO Multi Tool is one of your most important pieces of expedition equipment. Press R2 for terrain deformation and R1 to use the currently equipped nozzle function.
Different nozzles change what the tool can do, allowing your loadout to support resource gathering, traversal and other expedition tasks.
Check Your Nozzle before Leaving the Station
A tool that is excellent for one mission may be unnecessary for another. Read the Expedition objectives and build your loadout around what you actually plan to accomplish.
Remember That Some Nozzles Are Disposable
Not every nozzle is permanent equipment. Pay attention to its description before treating a valuable disposable tool as something you can waste freely.
Deforming Terrain
Press R2 when the EXO Multi Tool is ready for terrain work.
Terrain deformation is useful for much more than collecting material. You can open passages, create safer slopes, reach elevated areas and build your own route through awkward terrain.
Make Ramps instead of Repeatedly Jumping
When a ledge is slightly too high, shaping the terrain into a clean path is often quicker and safer than repeatedly attempting the same jump.
Leave Yourself an Exit
Digging downward without considering the return trip is an easy way to waste expedition time. Shape a climbable route as you descend.
Scanning
Press R3 to scan.
Scanning discoveries is a core part of expedition progression. Plants, creatures, minerals and unusual objects can provide useful information and contribute Bytes.
Scan before Harvesting
When you encounter something unfamiliar, scan it before immediately collecting or disturbing it. You may otherwise walk away from easy progression.
Scan New Areas Aggressively
Fresh regions naturally contain more discoveries you have not catalogued yet, making exploration valuable even when a particular mission does not explicitly ask you to scan.
Communications Wheel
Use L1 to open the Communications Wheel.
STARSEEKER is designed around cooperative Expeditions, so quick communication is valuable even when you are not using voice chat. Marking important discoveries, hazards or objectives lets other Astroneers understand what you are doing without stopping to type.
Ping before Wandering Away
If you notice a valuable resource or mission target away from the Squad, communicate before disappearing into the terrain. A separated Astroneer is much harder to help when something goes wrong.
Item Wheel and Quick Items
Hold L2 to access the Item Wheel. The D Pad provides quick access to configured items, with left and right selecting quick items and down deploying the chosen item.
Prepare Quick Slots before an Expedition
Place equipment you expect to use frequently on convenient shortcuts. Opening a radial menu during an urgent creature encounter is slower than using an already prepared quick command.
Digital Assistant Device
The Digital Assistant Device, commonly called the DAD, lets you keep track of Missions, Tasks and other progression information.
Check it before an Expedition so you know which resources, scans and objectives can advance several goals during the same trip.
Stack Objectives
The most efficient Expedition is often one where a single journey contributes to several Tasks. Review the DAD before deploying instead of deciding what to do only after reaching the surface.
Planet View
Press D Pad Up to open Planet View.
Planet View is one of the most important survival tools because it shows Landing Sites and helps you plan your return route.
Check It before Oxygen Gets Low
Do not wait for the last few minutes before finding an extraction point. Open Planet View during the Expedition and keep a rough idea of how far you are from a Landing Site.
Climbing Controls
| Action | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|
| Let Go while Climbing | Circle |
STARSEEKER allows Astroneers to climb suitable surfaces. Once attached, Circle lets you release your grip.
Check beneath You before Letting Go
Dropping into water or onto a lower ledge can be useful, but releasing over a deep cave can turn a simple shortcut into a recovery problem.
Swimming Controls
| Action | PlayStation 5 |
|---|---|
| Ascend | Cross |
| Descend | Circle |
| Swim Dash | L3 |
Planet Tephra includes large aquatic environments, so swimming has its own vertical movement controls. Cross moves you upward, Circle sends you deeper and L3 activates Swim Dash.
Use Swim Dash for Distance
Swim Dash is ideal for covering open water or escaping danger, while ordinary movement provides better control when exploring confined underwater areas.
Remember Which Way Is Up
In dark or enclosed water, use the environment and camera to maintain orientation before repeatedly pressing Ascend.
Controller Remapping
Open Settings and select Input to view the Controller Mapping menu.
STARSEEKER allows controller remapping and also provides options for stick sensitivity and inversion. The mapping screen includes a Reset to Defaults command if you want to restore the original layout.
Prioritize Sprint, Scan and Tool Inputs
These commands appear constantly during expeditions. If any default binding feels uncomfortable, move the actions you use every minute before worrying about rarely used commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you jump in STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions?
Press Cross on PlayStation 5.
How do you sprint?
Press L3 while moving.
How do you roll?
Press Circle.
How do you interact?
Press Square.
How do you pick up an item?
Press Triangle.
How do you throw an item?
Press R2 while holding it.
How do you use the terrain tool?
Use R2 for terrain deformation and R1 for the active nozzle.
How do you scan?
Press R3.
How do you open the Item Wheel?
Use L2.
How do you open Planet View?
Press D Pad Up.
How do you swim upward?
Press Cross while swimming.
How do you dive underwater?
Press Circle while swimming.
How do you Swim Dash?
Press L3 while swimming.
Can you change the controls?
Yes. Open Settings and Input to access Controller Mapping and customize the layout.
Learn the Contextual Buttons First
STARSEEKER becomes much easier once you recognize that the same buttons change function according to what your Astroneer is doing. R2 deforms terrain normally but throws an item when you are carrying one. Cross jumps on land but becomes Ascend while swimming. Circle crouches or rolls on land, releases your grip while climbing and descends underwater.
Once those contextual actions become natural, concentrate on the bigger expedition loop: scan discoveries, shape efficient routes, keep your most useful equipment accessible and check Planet View long before oxygen becomes a problem.
See our STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions Tips and Tricks Guide for oxygen management, Expeditions, scanning, gear, Squad play and Tephra exploration advice.
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