WhenHorizon Forbidden Westwas released in 2022, it introduced new environments for players to explore, including underwater worlds.Burning Shores, the recently released DLC, expands on this, allowing players to ride a mount that can dive underwater. To help gamers, Guerrilla Games has added an option to reduce thalassophobia triggers.
For some gamers, this may be a confusing accessibility feature. However, it is a very useful one, as thalassophobia is a common fear. The accessibility features inHorizon Forbidden Westdo not hinder gameplay, and they can easily be turned on and off at any given time.
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Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores - What Is Thalassophobia?
Although swimming is a fairly ubiquitous skill, many people may feel uncomfortable swimming in extremely large bodies of water, especially if the floor is so far away it can’t even be seen. For some, this fear is a full-blown phobia. People with thalassophobia avoid large bodies of water, and seeing images of deep water can be exceptionally distressing. The fear isn’t triggered by water on its own. Instead, the fear is more connected with the anxiety of being far away from the land, and not knowing what lies deep below.
Helping gamers to play games with common phobias is a useful accessibility feature to have. Musophobia is a very common fear of mice, and it has prevented some gamers from witnessing themany rats on screen inA Plague Tale. Without the ability to address thalassophobia triggers, significant sections ofBurning Shoreswould be unplayable for some gamers. It would also make some side quests impossible, and it would take a lot of the fun out of riding Waterwings. Fortunately,Burning Shoresinclude a Thalassophobia mode that makes gamers with a fear of deep waters a bit more comfortable.
Underwater Exploration in Burning Shores
Aloy can explore more underwater environments inHorizon Forbidden West, and she also unlocks the ability to dive deep without having to come up from breath. InBurning Shores, some quests require Aloy to spend a significant time underwater. For example, the side quest titled The Splinter Within hasAloy retrieving a Focus from a Tideripper. While this will be a blast for plenty of players, for some it is a daunting thought.
Furthermore, thanks toHorizon’s new mount, the Waterwing, players can also ride machines while underwater. If players turn on Thalassophobia mode, the underwater ambiance is increased. Furthermore, Aloy can breathe indefinitely regardless of how far along players are in the story. This ensures that players don’t have to worry about drowning, which can trigger thalassophobia. Although this may not flatten the phobia entirely, it certainly makes things easier for players who are uncomfortable with deep-water exploration.
It should be noted that this isn’t the only aspect ofHorizon Forbidden Westthat may trigger phobias in some. Although the Slitherfang is a jaw-droppingly amazing machine, it can be uncomfortable to look at for players with ophidiaphobia. Additionally, the fear of heights, known as acrophobia, can be triggered byAloy using her Shieldwing Glideror taking a hot air balloon ride.
Underwater environments are just one of the new sights for gamers to behold in the Burning Shores. There are also volcanic fissures that leak magma, as well as thermal updrafts that players can use to lift Aloy high. With its impressively large map,Burning Shoresis an unmissable entry in the franchise that does a great job of improving gameplay. Hopefully, these improvements are carried over into thenextHorizongame.
Horizon Forbidden Westis available on PS4 and PS5.
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