What controller were you using to not have dpad work for you? I'm also curious about the infinite special meter thing, were you able to use R1 abilities freely?
I'm using an original PS3 controller with an SCP program to make it behave like an XBOX one. If it's too hard a hardware/engine issue to fix, don't worry about it.
And yes, I was using skills that use meter freely without it going down. This might've happened after I died and respawned too.
