I played gamepad for a long time, and went back to M/K, because when a wolf is running at you and you have to try and hit it on the head with a rock, that fidelity can be pretty important. Both function fine though, so whatever you’re comfy with.
Survival mode all the way, the challenges are also very very good at teaching you the game once you get your feet wet. The story mode is the least engaging of the modes for me.