As a new player, I can understand the OP's sentiment, but I also think he is exaggerating quite a lot...
I haven't played a flight simulation game for nearly 2 decades and I don't have a joystick. When I got the chance to start with single player beta missions, I've spent the first 1 - 2 hours just struggling with the mouse in the first scenario and unable to destroy any containers.
Then I watched some YouTube videos and read some posts on this forum. Next day, I've spent 2 hours testing and modifying mouse controls, until I could finally have complete control of the ship (using mouse + keyboard). That day I managed to complete the first scenario, but I got stuck in the second (I was not able to keep the enemy ship in crosshair long enough).
Next day, after some more tweaking of the controls, I could complete the second scenario but got stuck in the third: the Crimson Triumph killed me every time.
After two days of some more practice in scenarios 1 and 2 (and trying to balance engine powers), I finally completed the third scenario, and by then I got competent enough that I could also finish the next few scenarios until I've met the Anaconda, which was able to run away every time.
Today I changed my tactics and was able to complete all the scenarios except the Incursion.
So, if a big flying rookie like me can manage to come to terms with the keyboard+mouse controls, I'm sure most of Elite enthusiasts should be able to do so also.
Here are my final settings, if it helps:
- Mouse mode: absolute pitch/roll
- Mouse sensitivity: approx. under the letter L of word "Absolute"
- Mouse dead zone: approx. between letters AB of word "Absolute"
- all other settings at default
Good luck!
