Latest update for Horizon Forbidden West introduces features to assist players with thalassophobia (fear of deep water)

On April 19, Guerrilla Games released Patch 1.21 for the PS5-exclusive game, Horizon Forbidden West. The update introduces support for the Burning Shores expansion, which launched on the same day. Additionally, the update brings in new accessibility features, including a thalassophobia mode. Thalassophobia is the fear of deep bodies of water, such as oceans or large lakes. This mode aims to ease thalassophobia symptoms by improving underwater visibility, making water appear less murky and objects in the distance sharper. Additionally, Aloy, the game’s protagonist, will be able to breathe indefinitely, regardless of story progression.

Apart from the thalassophobia mode, the update also includes other accessibility features, such as increased waypoint and quest icon sizes, a new navigation assist that points towards the current objective or any set waypoints in Focus mode, and an auto camera option that follows the player’s movement. There are also new colorblind options, a HUD vignette that improves HUD visibility, and larger subtitle size options. Lastly, an auto pickup option has been added that automatically collects items without the need to press any buttons.