This guide details a custom Steam Controller configuration tailored specifically for The Last of Us Part II Remastered. With this setup, we'll use mixed inputs in order to take advantage of both mouse accuracy (trackpad/gyro) and analog movement. It also supports the in-game guitar mechanic using the right trackpad.

Layout Link: steam://controllerconfig/2531310/3464688857

As the title mentions, we are dealing with a dual trackpad setup. That means the stick behaves like a regular D-pad, while the left trackpad is used for movement.

Clicking the right trackpad will make your character dodge melee attacks, but long-pressing it will activate the Sprinting Layer (the controller also beeps so you know it switched layers). While the Sprinting Layer is active, you will be constantly running. To return to the base layer, simply click it again or lift your thumb from the trackpad.

On the other side of the controller, the right trackpad behaves like a mouse and enables gyro aiming. Clicking it will mode shift into a weapon selection menu if you're pressing on the outer edge. This keeps your left thumb focused on movement without needing to leave the pad to switch weapons.
Note: Since we are mixing inputs, sadly the game switches controller prompts for mkb while touching the trackpad

When you hold the right pad click, you'll be able to toggle the flashlight, and you can shake the controller to fix it when it starts failing.

Double-tapping the right trackpad will make your character interact, grab enemies or items, or perform weapon actions while aiming, if available. I was planning on making it turbo for faster looting, but from time to time I need to hold it normally for different quick time events (Opening doors for example).

Grips

LG → Crouch / Prone
RG → Jump / Climb / Scope (while aiming)

Bumpers

LB → Listen / Weapon Swap
RB → Melee / Shoulder Swap (while aiming)
Note: Double-pressing RB enables Turbo Mode for quick time events that require button mashing.

Triggers

RT → Reload / Fire (while aiming)
LT → Aiming
- Fully pressing LT will swap shoulders (useful with bows since you are using both triggers at the same time)
- Long-pressing LT will hold breath for better accuracy

Conclussions

This configuration is designed to keep both thumbs on the trackpads for most of the time, with the occasionally opening the backpack using Select, pressing LS when prompted by the game to look at something or navigating menus. I was able to beat the game on hard difficulty in about 25 hours using this setup.

As a bonus, I wanted to replicate the strumming mechanic from the DualSense and DualShock 4 using the Steam Controller's trackpad. It's not exactly the same, but it's close enough.

Each number key from 1 to 6 corresponds to a guitar string. Using a Radial Menu, I was able to mimic this behavior and assign each number to a region on the right trackpad, allowing you to strum or pluck with your thumb just like on PlayStation controllers. This radial menu is in the guitar layer, which is activated by long pressing the right pad click. When you are finished simply click the trackpad again to go back to the menu control layer.