Keyboard Controls for Akatori

Playing Akatori on keyboard gives you crisp digital inputs for the frame-tight dodges demanded by bosses like Takatsugu the Sentinel and the demo’s Bumblebee encounter. Contrast Games designed the metroidvania for both controller and keyboard from the start; the February 2026 Steam demo and the standalone Chapter One prologue both ship with rebindable PC layouts. This page documents the practical default scheme most players use, how to customize it, and where keyboard shines compared to the controller layout.

New players should pair this reference with Getting Started for broader progression tips and Traversal moves for move-specific timing.

Default movement keys

Akatori follows standard PC platformer conventions:

Action	Default key	Notes
Move left / right	A / D	Hold for run; no separate walk toggle in demo
Jump	Space	Tap for single jump; tap again at apex for double jump
Crouch / slide	S or Down + movement	Used on slopes and tight tunnels
Look / aim (where applicable)	Mouse or arrow keys	Staff throw direction follows facing

Vertical exploration in the Bamboo Location rewards holding jump slightly longer before committing to a glide—keyboard players can feather Space precisely for those adjustments.

Combat bindings

Action	Default key	Notes
Light attack	J or Left Mouse	Chains into aerial strings
Heavy / charged attack	Hold K or Right Mouse	Releases staff spin or smash depending on state
Staff throw	L or E	Projectile travels forward; press again to recall
Uppercut / launcher	Up + attack	Starts juggle routes documented in Combat combos
Finisher	Prompt when enemy staggers	Appears after sustained pressure
Dodge / dash	Shift	Ground and air versions with invulnerability frames

Combo depth is not about memorizing ten-page movelists—it is about never letting Mako’s momentum stall. After a Monk Forest skirmish, practice jumping → light → light → throw → recall → dash on a passive target until the sequence feels automatic.

Traversal bindings

Action	Default key	Notes
Glide	Hold jump mid-air	Drains stamina in extended falls
Wall cling	Jump toward wall	Jump again to wall-kick
Hook / grapple	Throw staff at anchor	Used in vertical demo sections
Swim upward	Space underwater	Manage breath meter in Underwater
Interact	F	Shrines, levers, NPC dialogue

The staff doubles as a puzzle tool. When a ledge seems unreachable, check for glowing hook points before assuming you lack an upgrade.

Menu and system keys

Action	Default key
Pause / menu	Escape
Map	M
Inventory / upgrades	I or Tab

Chapter One’s nine achievements include collectible hunts—keep Map accessible without remapping it far from movement keys.

Remapping and Steam Input

Open Settings → Controls in-game to rebind any action. Steam Deck and Big Picture users should also configure Steam Input when on-screen prompts show Xbox face buttons but the Deck expects different glyphs—preview coverage specifically mentions this mismatch as a source of early deaths.

Suggested rebinding priorities:

1. Dodge to a finger that rests near movement (many players use Left Shift or a mouse side button).
2. Staff throw to an easy reach key because recall timing matters in combat and traversal.
3. Jump only if Space feels awkward on compact keyboards; otherwise leave it—double-jump timing is muscle memory.

Keyboard advantages and trade-offs

Pros: Precise tap inputs for no-damage Takatsugu attempts; quick menu access; easier text chat if streaming.

Cons: Diagonal bamboo launches in the demo can feel stiff without analog nudging; long sessions may fatigue fingers during Chaos Arena waves.

If platforming sections frustrate you more than combat, try a controller for Demo walkthrough vertical areas while keeping keyboard for boss rematches.

Practice checklist

1. Monk Forest training grounds — confirm every binding fires the expected animation.
2. Combat combos page drills — ten clean aerial chains without dropping.
3. Bamboo stalk pull-back launch — adjust jump hold duration.
4. Underwater section — verify swim-up and dodge without looking at hands.

Return to the Controls hub for sibling pages or advance to Walkthrough hub once inputs feel invisible.