OK, I think I found something I'm satisfied with, after going back to study more example games and adjusting my expectations
Attached is the template, but basically here's the recipe:
- State 1- On mouse button down ->
- State 2-
Get Mouse Delta: save separate X&Y values; normalize
Float Multiply XDelta by 10 and YDelta by 20 (<- optional values, they're just my sweet spot); every frame
Translate those X&Y deltas; every frame - Return to state 1 on Mouse Button Up
Naturally, the mouse-specific actions can be replaced with Touch Event and Get Touch Info, respectively.
For my game, I also assign Set Animator Float to the XDelta, which is tied to an Animator parameter I use to do ship "lean" animations, then reset that in state 1.