Although Flydigi may not be a well-known name in the States, it’s one of the premier companies for controllers in China. Flydigi’s Apex 4 is their current flagship controller and after having used it during a Black Myth Wukong preview event earlier this year, I had to go hands-on to see how it ranks among the competition.
The Apex 4 can best be described as sturdy. It packs enough weight so it doesn’t feel cheap or plastic-y, and is comfortable in the hands. Some might find the controller on the heavy side (328g), but I like that it isn’t so light. There is a textured material on the underside of each grip and a bit of texturing on the triggers and shoulder buttons to prevent slipping. A white controller with see-through elements is not a traditional design for a controller, but it’s a pretty striking look and makes the Flydigi Apex 4 standout.
One of the most instantly eye-catching elements of the Apex 4 controller beyond its white with clear plastic aesthetic is the screen in the upper middle. Using Flydigi’s Space Station software, you can customize the screen to display a pre-programmed GIF, a custom GIF, or useful information like battery life and profile selection. The screen gives the controller a little personality and while it’s somewhat low resolution, that’s likely to keep battery life as high as possible. I was able to get around 20+ hours of game time before needing a charge.
The screen gives a little bit of personality to the Apex 4 controller.
Flydigi has outfitted the Apex 4 with four back buttons, two on the grips and two on the underside of the controller. Depending on hand side, you might not be able to comfortably hit all the buttons, but I had no problems using them. Paddles/back buttons have become almost an essential feature for premium controllers, allowing users to keep their thumbs on the joysticks and still complete actions like jumping or reloading.
The D-pad on the Apex 4 is of the ominidirectional variety – it’s a little bit raised and good overall. More and more controllers are going for the tactile, click-y face buttons and it’s a personal preference, but I like them a lot. Being able to feel a click on a face button press (think like clicking a mouse button) gives a nice feedback.
A lot of what makes the Apex 4 appealing is that it’s simply well-made. There aren’t any major bells or whistles, but a low latency wireless controller for PC that feels good to hold will get you very far. Ergonomically, it’s not that different from an Xbox controller, but the grip texture, the addition of the back buttons, and some customization features help it stand out.
Flydigi Apex 4 Controller Flexes Significant Customization Options
One of those customization options is the ability to adjust the tension on the joysticks. Typically, you can set the deadzones on a controller via software (which you can do here), but the Apex 4 actually uses a tool to make the joysticks tighter or looser. I found them to be solid right out of the box, but for those who have a preference one way or the other, there is an option.
The other significant customization option is the ability to set the force feedback on the triggers and vibration based on a few different presets. For example, if you want the full throw on the triggers and to get feedback as if you are pressing a pedal, the Flydigi software can set that up. You can also make it so the tension on the triggers activates earlier, to mimic pulling a real trigger. There are four modes in total:
- Normal – no resistance
- Race – slight resistance throughout the trigger pull
- Sniper – instant resistance that lessens as you pull
- Recoil – active resistance that provides feedback as you pull
- Trigger Lock – a quick trigger bull like a button
- Vibration – mimics the rumble of the game within the triggers
It’s a little gimmicky, but the trigger options can deepen the immersion for those who want it. Normal is what I am used to and in cases where the feedback ties into the game’s genre, it can be distracting to feel tension when you don’t expect it.
That being said, the rumble/vibration in the Flydigi Apex 4 is exceptional. The Rumble mode on the triggers is fun, but the vibration overall is where the controller stands out. You feel every bump your character takes, every explosion nearby, or the different textures on the ground. It’s not as distinct as what the DualSense offers on some PlayStation games, but it’s notable enough that it doesn’t feel like a generic vibration.
Flydigi Apex 4 makes your playing experience incredibly fun with its extraordinary vibration.
In a very crowded controller market, Flydigi may not be a known brand in the US but I think that the Apex 4 is well worth a look. Its $160 price tag makes it comparable to other premium controller offerings, and it has most of the features that you would expect. It’s not something that is easy to describe, but the controller just feels good to hold and that goes a long way. The screen, the vibration, and the customization are all great selling points but if the ergonomics or weight are off, then those rarely change things. For the Flydigi Apex 4, being a well-made controller puts it as a great PC gaming controller option.
The Flydigi Apex 4 is available now from Amazon. Game Rant was provided a unit for this review.