Dragon Age II finally gets proper native-style controller support on PC

Image credit: chronicallybored / Dragon Age 2 Native Controller Framework Creator screenshot showing the controller action wheel in Dragon Age II.

Dragon Age II came out fifteen years ago. Fifteen. It had controller support on consoles, but if you wanted to play the PC version with a gamepad, well, you were pretty much left to figure something out for yourself.

Chronicallybored has decided that's gone on long enough.

The Dragon Age II Native Controller Framework adds proper controller integration to the PC version, covering movement, combat, targeting, abilities, menus, and even text entry. And rather than simply pretending your controller is a keyboard and mouse, the mod works with the game's existing systems. There's a radial action wheel, multiple ability bars, and automatic switching between controller and keyboard interfaces, so you can move between the two without constantly fiddling with settings.

One thing you absolutely need to pay attention to before installing it: the creator says the game's executable requires a Large Address Aware patch to prevent crashes. Xbox-style controllers are the tested option, while PlayStation controllers need an additional XInput layer.

It's one of those additions that might not sound terribly exciting on paper, but for anyone who's been wanting to revisit Kirkwall with a controller in hand, it's a pretty big deal. Especially if your preferred way to play an RPG involves a comfortable chair and absolutely no interest in balancing a keyboard on your lap.