You can play this easily with a controller. I have a standard Playstation style USB controller that is automatically detected by the game. You can change the buttons in game.

The way the game is set up you could actually play only using the 4 face buttons. Attack, Jump, Special Attack 1 (default Z button), Special attack 2 (Default Space Button). Every skills has an alternate way to be used. Either set the skill to a hotkey. Or do the button command for it. For example the Gunners spin kick is done by pressing Down, Down + Special 1. Some skills like the jump boost are done with Special 2.

I have my buttons set like that with the top 4 bumpers used for hotkeys for the more complex attacks. I use the select and start buttons for healing items. It works very well vs monsters and in pvp. You can even use an arcade stick if that's your thing.

Joy 2 key works good if your controller isn't already detected.