Ecstatica Controls Guide: Default Layouts and Combat Actions

Ecstatica uses tank controls mapped across the numeric keypad in the original release alongside updated schemes in modern versions. Understanding its directional inputs, movement modes, and two-handed interaction system is necessary to traverse the hostile village of Tirich.

Classic Numeric Keypad Layout

The original DOS release maps all primary actions to the numeric keypad. Laptops lacking a dedicated numpad require external mapping software or an external keyboard to play using this configuration.

Movement relies on classic tank controls where turning rotates the character on the spot regardless of the fixed camera perspective. As documented in the original game manual, directional movement changes speed based on dedicated stance toggle keys.

Movement Modes and Tactical Stances

Ecstatica provides three distinct movement stances assigned across the function keys. Changing stances alters footstep sound levels and travel velocity.

Sneaking reduces noise when passing sleeping entities or hostile guards in the village. Running allows you to evade relentless enemies such as the werewolf, but it makes precision turning harder and causes the protagonist to trip when colliding with certain obstacles.

Two-Handed Inventory and Combat Mechanics

The game operates without an on-screen heads-up display. Health is tracked strictly through character posture, such as limping or clutching an injured torso, while inventory is limited to what the protagonist holds in each hand.

Picking up items requires facing the object and pressing NUM1 for the left hand or NUM3 for the right hand. If you retrieve a weapon with an empty right hand, the game automatically places that item into the right hand. Carrying two items prevents picking up additional objects until you drop something by pressing the corresponding hand key again.

Melee combat requires rhythmic timing:

1. Press NUM5 to duck beneath an incoming strike.
2. Strike immediately using NUM7 or NUM9 before the opponent recovers momentum.
3. Repeat the strike to keep the enemy off balance.

Driving persistent foes into a corner and maintaining a strike pattern forces them into continuous hit animations. Various weapons found throughout Tirich alter the reach and impact of NUM7 and NUM9 attacks, replacing punches with swings and stabs.

Modern Re-Release and Recompiled Layouts

The Steam release published by SNEG updates the control pipeline by adding full controller support, keyboard-only play, and remapped default setups alongside the classic scheme. Players on the modern re-release can use standard directional keys alongside modifier inputs:

• Movement: Arrow keys or WASD control forward movement, reversing, and turning.
• Attacks: Holding Left Control while pressing movement keys triggers directional strikes, stabs, and punches.
• Evasion: Holding Left Alt while pressing directional inputs initiates directional dodge rolls.
• Jumping: Left Shift executes a forward jump across small obstacles.
• Interaction: Spacebar interacts with objects or picks up and drops held gear.
• Menu and System: Escape accesses options and manual save slots.