I use a PS5 controller, it's 2024, this stuff should just work now. I shouldn't have to experiment with different combinations of ds4windows, hidhide, launching through Steam and quitting Steam from running altogether just to get it to work. Cyberpunk manages just fine, so why do I have to jump through a million hoops for literally everything else? While I'm complaining, Steam is only marginally better at this.
EGS sucks, but the problem here is the ps5 controller. Sony very deliberately makes their controllers a fucking nightmare to use on PC and Valve had to do a ridiculous amount of very dodgy hacks to even get any of them to work a little bit with steam games. Turning the "PlayStation controller support" button on in steam literally only works by injecting code on the fly to make the computer think it's an Xbox 360 controller so that games will even see a controller present, and you still need ds4windows and other tricks to get it to even show up to steam half the time.
This sucks because you're using a controller with not only no PC compatibility, but negative PC compatibility because the controller's manufacturer has put in active effort to make it unusable. If you want to use a PC controller, you'll have a better experience with almost any other option. I can't speak for really weird knockoff controllers from brands nobody's ever heard of, but I'd imagine at least some of them have windows compatibility.
Unfortunately, if you want a PC controller that works, you're going to have to buy a different controller.
Can't control a PC, but you can pilot a carbon fiber submarine.
Is the DualSense experience that much worse than using a DualShock 4? I got a DS4 some years back after years of wired official Xbox 360 controllers dying on me and between DS4Windows and Steam I've had a good time.
The main reason I went for a DS4 over an Xbox controller was that I figured the touchpad would be useful for different keybinds, which it has been. I've set it up for screenshots and quick save/quick load and it's great. Technically there's the gyro too but I have never figured out a use for it.
PlayStation controllers seem to be one of those things where a segment of users can never get them to work, some people need to use ds4windows, and some people have a perfect plug and play experience. The dualsense controller seemingly arbitrarily chooses to sometimes emulate a ds4 when plugged into Windows and that makes for an extra layer of things that can go wrong.
Some people find that PlayStation controllers will only work when connected to a specific USB port on their computer, others find it only works as a Bluetooth controller, others find that one controller will work with the PC but another will not despite both having the same firmware, some people find that a random button on any PlayStation controller they connect to their PC will not work. Sometimes controllers only work in steam big picture but never in games. Reddit and Microsoft support forums are full of people who never got their controllers to work, or only got partial support.