Kick (hold F) is not cosmetic — with the Hockey Player's Foreman perk it damages zombies, and kicks break barricades with Track Star's Doorbreaker.
Default keyboard & mouse layout
| Action | Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Move | W A S D | Standard FPS movement |
| Sprint | Shift | Stamina is a combat resource — don't hold it everywhere |
| Light melee / fire | Left mouse | Melee is the default; guns are loud |
| Heavy / charged attack | Mouse or hold | Hold for charged attacks; one-handed windups sped up in 1.0 |
| Shove | F | Creates spacing, interrupts infected |
| Kick | Hold F | Strong stagger, multi-target crowd control; perks like Foreman add damage |
| Interact / group up | E | Press E on another player to join their squad (X on controller) |
| Compass | C | Red arrows point to objectives and the extraction LZ |
| Reload | R | Check remaining ammo before committing to a gun |
| Flashlight | Q | Toggle your light; keep it off when stealth matters |
| Map | M | Open the map / objective overview |
| Sprint | Shift | Faster movement at the cost of noise |
| End yourself | K (with a gun + ammo) | Suicide before turning so your body doesn't re-animate into a Runner that attacks your squad |
The table is the community-documented default. If your build offers rebinding, Options overrides it — and if a key feels wrong after a patch, check the in-game bindings first.
Controller support
1.0 added native PC controller support. Community reports describe an Xbox-style layout that works alongside mouse and keyboard, with X grouping up and inventory actions mapped to the face buttons. Console versions ship with controller layouts by default.
Communication
Voice chat is proximity-based and environmental — it fades with distance, which is a core design decision, so talking near zombies can get you heard. Push-to-talk is the default voice mode; the exact default key isn't officially published, so open Options → Audio and check your push-to-talk binding.
Text chat uses T: press T to open the chat box, type, then press Enter to send. It follows the same distance rules as voice. External voice calls are allowed but change how the game plays, so most squads stay in-game.
Control questions
What are the default keybinds?
Standard FPS layout: WASD movement, mouse to aim and attack, F to shove (hold for kick), C for the compass, E to interact and group up, R to reload. Check Options for rebinding in the current build.
How do I shove or kick?
Tap F to shove — it creates spacing and interrupts infected. Hold F for a kick, which staggers and crowd-controls multiple zombies.
How do I see where to go?
Press C to open the compass; red arrows point to the current objective and extraction point in the bottom-right of the HUD.
Does the game support controllers?
Yes — 1.0 added native PC controller support. Community reports describe an Xbox-style layout; the X button groups up with another player.
How do I use push to talk?
Voice chat is proximity-based — it fades with distance, so talking near zombies can get you heard. Push-to-talk is the default voice mode; the exact default key isn't officially published, so open Options → Audio and check your push-to-talk binding. Text chat uses T: press T to open the chat box, type, then Enter to send.
Are the keybinds the same on console?
Console versions use controller layouts by default. 1.0 added native controller support on PC as well.
Sources: Steam community — melee attacks, Game Rant beginner guide, Steam store page, The Guide Hall — voice chat, Game Rant — text chat. No More Room in Hell 2 content and assets remain the property of Torn Banner Studios.