Overview
Lightning Returns is optimized for XInput devices (manufactured by Microsoft), so DirectInput devices might have issues such as mismapped controls. This guide teaches you how to easily fix that!
Be mindful!
Square Enix mentions that the game is natively compatible only with XInput devices!
Yes, it should’ve been a small notice right above the price tag, but still they did mention it. Please, let’s not waste our times arguing over how competent they are by hiding this bit of information under the system requirements, shall we? Thanks!
XInput: Manufactured by Microsoft, more specifically the x360 and XBox One controllers
DirectInput: Not manufactured by Microsoft, but meant to be used with computers instead of consoles.
DualShock: These controllers were manufactured by Sony for use with their PlayStation consoles. While it is possible to use DualShock controllers to play games on a computer, x360ce is not enough to get it running! Some people use programs such as MotioninJoy, but a helpful user provided information regarding XInput Wrapper[forums.pcsx2.net], which seems to be more simple and might not require x360ce for those using DualShock controllers.
Setup
Make sure you don’t have any other peripherals connected to your computer. A common issue with Microsoft controllers (and even some others) is that other connected peripherals might get in the way of your controller’s drivers. Disconnect them and if that doesn’t work, proceed.
Please, notice that this method have been reported not to work for everyone! I don’t know what causes LR to not recognize controllers when it should, so I’m sorry that I can’t be of help there.
The program we’ll be using is called x360ce. It basically emulates an XInput device so that games think you have a Microsoft controller connected. Download the latest version here[www.x360ce.com]. This method should also work with any other game that uses XInput as its default configuration, so use it at will!
After the download finishes, extract the contents of the file into the game’s root folder (it should be Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/LIGHTNING RETURNS FINAL FANTASY XIII/ by default). Run the executable and let it set everything it will need to work properly (these files will be stored inside LR’s folder together with everything else). After that, set your controls accordingly, save the changes and close x360ce.
After you set x360ce, there’s no need to open it again to play the game you set it up with. Just launch the executable (in this case, LR from Steam) and the program will do its magic backstage.
As mentioned before, DualShock controllers are those manufactured by Sony for the PlayStation consoles. If you didn’t read the first section, a helpful user informed me that there’s a program specific for DualShock that does the same as x360ce for DirectInput. I can’t provide my own guide on it cos I don’t own a DualShock controller, but this page[forums.pcsx2.net] should have all the information you need to set up your PS3/4 controller.
Alternatively
Some Logitech controllers (if not all) will let you change the input type manually. According to sources, there should be a button on top of the Logitech controller with two to three letters (X, D and A). Change that to X and the pad will be recognized as an XInput controller by the game!