Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest game to feature an ‘arachnophobia assistance’ option

Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest game to include an accessibility option for players with a fear of spiders and other arachnids.

As spotted by Automaton, the game’s newly launched Open Beta features an accessibility option called ‘Arachnophobia Assistance’.

According to the option’s description, turning it on “adjusts the appearance of multi-legged creatures such as arachnids, insect-like small monsters and endemic life”.

The publication turned the option on to see what would happen, and the small insect-like creatures which appear in the Open Beta were replaced by green blob monsters.

Because the range of monsters that appear in the Open Beta is limited, it’s not yet clear if all insects turn into similar blobs, or if the larger ‘boss’ monsters affected by the switch turn into something different altogether.

The option makes Monster Hunter Wilds one of a number of games to feature accessibiity options for players with phobias.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Hogwarts Legacy and Grounded all have arachnophobia modes too, making it possible for players to play those games without encountering realistic spider enemies.

In Hogwarts Legacy, the spiders’ legs are removed and replaced with roller skates, while Grounded turns them into blob-like larvae instead.

Kill it With Fire, a game that revolves entirely around burning spiders, also has a mode which replaces them with stuffed toy spiders.

Other games have accessibility options for players with thalassophobia, a fear of deep bodies of water like oceans. Horizon Forbidden West does this by turning off the ability to drown, while Sea of Thieves has an auto-float option which prevents players from being submerged if they fall into the sea.