Still Wakes The Deep - Controls

Still Wakes the Deep keeps its controls deliberately simple, but the game uses the same buttons differently depending on whether you are exploring the Beira D oil rig, climbing, swimming, reacting to danger or using equipment. That makes a proper control reference useful, especially once the game starts mixing collapsing platforms, flooded corridors and timed reactions.

On PlayStation 5, the essentials are easy to remember. The left stick moves, the right stick looks, Cross handles jumping and several movement reactions, Circle crouches or moves you downward while swimming, Square interacts with objects, Triangle activates the torch and L3 runs.

The controller bindings shown below are taken from the in game PS5 menu. Still Wakes the Deep also supports extensive controller remapping, stick sensitivity settings and stick inversion, so your personal layout may differ if you have changed the defaults.

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Still Wakes the Deep PS5 Controls

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Movement and Looking Around

Use the left stick to move and the right stick to control Caz's view.

Still Wakes the Deep is a first person horror game with no traditional combat system, so awareness matters more than aiming. Looking ahead before entering a room can reveal a safe route, a place to hide or an obstacle that will force you to change direction.

Do Not Rush into Blind Corners

When the rig becomes dangerous, take a second to look through doorways before committing. Some sequences reward speed, but walking straight into an unknown area can make an otherwise simple escape harder.

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How to Run

Press L3 while moving to run. L2 is also assigned as an alternative Run input in the default controller configuration.

Running becomes essential during escape sequences, but sprinting everywhere is rarely necessary during ordinary exploration.

Run When the Game Tells You to Run

Still Wakes the Deep frequently communicates danger through sound, movement and environmental destruction. When a route starts collapsing or something begins pursuing you, commit to the escape instead of stopping to investigate every side passage.

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Crouching

Press Circle to crouch.

Crouching is useful for passing beneath obstacles and moving through cramped parts of the oil rig. The same button becomes Swim Down when you are underwater.

Follow the Environmental Shape

If the path appears blocked but there is a visible gap near the floor, crouching is usually the answer. Look for spaces beneath pipes, debris and partially collapsed structures.

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Jumping and Dashing

Press Cross to jump. The same input is also used for Swim Up and for certain contextual dash actions.

Jumping is often part of scripted traversal rather than free platforming. Approach the intended ledge cleanly and follow the on screen prompt when one appears.

Line Up before Jumping

When crossing a dangerous gap, point the camera toward the landing and avoid making a sharp correction at the last moment.

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Interacting and Picking Up Objects

Press Square to interact with usable objects and pick up items.

This includes doors, switches, machinery and smaller objects that can be used during stealth sections.

Look Directly at the Interaction Point

If Square does not respond, adjust your camera slightly and move closer. Some controls only become available when the reticle is positioned over the relevant handle, switch or object.

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Using the Torch

Press Triangle to toggle the torch.

Dark machinery spaces and damaged corridors can hide ladders, doorways and environmental hazards, so the torch is useful whenever visibility becomes poor.

Do Not Forget You Have It

Still Wakes the Deep uses darkness heavily for atmosphere. If you are struggling to identify the route rather than intentionally hiding, switch the torch on and inspect the room properly.

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Showing the Current Objective

Use the assigned D Pad direction to display your current objective.

The game keeps the screen relatively clean, so the objective reminder is useful when you return after a break or lose track of what part of the rig you are supposed to reach.

Use It before Wandering Backwards

If you become unsure where to go, check the objective first. The correct route is often nearby and may simply be above, below or through a newly opened section.

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Leaning

Use L1 to lean left and R1 to lean right.

Leaning is particularly useful during sections where you need to observe danger without exposing your entire body.

Peek before Moving

When something dangerous is patrolling nearby, use a lean to gather information before stepping into the open.

Do Not Stay Exposed after Looking

Once you know where the threat is, move back into cover and choose your route rather than remaining at the edge of the doorway.

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Looking Back

Press R3 to use Look Back.

This is particularly useful during escape sequences because you can quickly check what is happening behind you without fully turning the camera.

Use It Briefly

Knowing where danger is can help, but staring behind you for too long makes it much easier to miss the next doorway, ladder or jump.

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Climbing

R2 is used for climbing when the contextual action becomes available.

Climbing sequences include ladders, ledges and damaged sections of the rig where Caz needs to pull himself through or across the environment.

Watch for Contextual Prompts

Still Wakes the Deep frequently changes how an input behaves based on the current situation. Follow the displayed prompt instead of assuming R2 always performs the same animation.

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Contextual Actions

Several actions only become active during specific sequences. Circle can let go of an object or leave a traversal position, while R2 may grip, throw or discharge something depending on what Caz is currently doing.

Read the Prompt before Letting Go

During dangerous traversal, Circle can mean deliberately dropping from your current position. Make sure you know where you will land before pressing it.

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Quick Reaction Controls

Some scripted sequences require a quick reaction when Caz slips, falls or needs to grab something immediately.

The game supports simplified quick time event options, so you can reduce the timing pressure if these sequences are uncomfortable or difficult.

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Swimming Controls

Flooding becomes an important part of traversal as conditions on the Beira D deteriorate.

Point the Camera toward the Route

Swimming becomes easier when you first identify where you want to go and then use vertical movement to line up with it.

Use Propel When You Need Speed

L1 provides the Propel action during diving sections. Use it when crossing a longer underwater distance or when the game requires a faster escape.

Do Not Fight the Camera

Make small adjustments underwater. Large turns can make it easy to lose track of the opening you were trying to reach.

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Diving Equipment

Press R2 to use diving equipment when it is available.

This is a contextual command tied to the equipment required during specific underwater sequences.

Follow the Prompt

Diving sections are tightly directed, so use the on screen interaction indicator rather than searching for a permanent equipment wheel.

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Camera Controls

During sections that use a camera, hold L2 to aim it and use R2 for the camera action.

These inputs are contextual and do not turn the game into a conventional photography system during normal exploration.

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Using the Cutting Arc

The Cutting Arc has its own D Pad shortcut when the equipment is available.

It is used during specific environmental sequences where Caz needs to cut through an obstruction or interact with damaged machinery.

Get into the Correct Position First

If the Cutting Arc does not activate where expected, move closer and point the camera directly at the intended work area.

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Using Flares

Flares have a dedicated D Pad shortcut once they become relevant.

Use them when visibility or a specific environmental situation calls for additional light.

Do Not Confuse the Flare with the Torch

The torch is your routine light source. Flares are contextual equipment and are better treated as a specific tool rather than something you need during every dark corridor.

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How to Remap the Controls

Open Settings and select Controller Bindings. Highlight an action and replace its assigned input with the button you prefer.

Still Wakes the Deep supports extensive controller remapping on PS5, along with adjustable stick sensitivity and stick inversion.

Prioritize Run, Jump and Interact

These three actions appear repeatedly during urgent traversal sequences. Keep them on inputs you can reach comfortably without changing your grip.

Remember Contextual Overlap

The same button may perform different actions in exploration, swimming, climbing or quick reaction sequences. Test a custom layout carefully before moving deep into the story.

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Useful Accessibility Settings

Still Wakes the Deep includes several options that can make its horror and traversal sequences easier to manage.

The PS5 version supports simplified quick time events, adjustable difficulty, advanced controller remapping, stick sensitivity adjustment, stick inversion, large subtitles, clearer subtitles, captions, high contrast visuals and options to disable vibration or adaptive trigger effects.

Simplify Quick Reactions If Needed

If timed grip or jump prompts are causing repeated failures, adjust the quick time event settings rather than allowing one sequence to interrupt the story.

Use High Contrast When Navigation Is Difficult

The rig is intentionally dark and visually busy. High contrast options can make interactive objects and important elements easier to identify.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you run in Still Wakes the Deep?

Press L3 while moving. L2 is also available as an alternative Run input in the default layout.

How do you crouch?

Press Circle.

How do you jump?

Press Cross.

How do you interact with objects?

Press Square while looking at the interactive object.

How do you turn on the torch?

Press Triangle.

How do you lean around a corner?

Use L1 to lean left and R1 to lean right.

How do you look behind you?

Press R3.

How do you climb?

Use R2 when the climb prompt is available.

How do you swim upward?

Press Cross while swimming.

How do you swim downward?

Press Circle while swimming.

How do you swim faster?

Use L1 for the Propel action during diving sections.

Can you fight the creatures?

No. Still Wakes the Deep does not give Caz conventional weapons or combat powers. Survival depends on running, hiding, distraction and navigating the environment.

Can the controller buttons be remapped?

Yes. The PS5 version provides advanced controller remapping and lets you restore the default bindings whenever needed.

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Learn the Contextual Buttons

Still Wakes the Deep does not have dozens of permanent combat inputs to memorize. The challenge comes from recognizing what familiar buttons mean in the current situation. Cross may be a normal jump, an underwater ascent or a quick reaction. R2 may climb, grip, throw or operate equipment. Circle may crouch, descend underwater or let go of something.

Once those contextual changes feel natural, the controls mostly disappear into the experience, which is exactly what a first person horror game like this needs.

See our Still Wakes the Deep Tips and Tricks Guide for stealth, exploration, monster encounters, swimming, chase sequences and accessibility advice.