Riddikulus!
No Spiders is all the rage these days. Reminiscent of Grounded’s Arachnophobia Mode, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor features an accessibility option to “reduce spider-like features” from certain enemies. Today, Hogwarts Legacy developer Avalanche Software announced their own Arachnophobia Mode. From their description, it sounds just like the features in Grounded and Jedi: Survivor.
The new feature changes the appearance of spider enemies in the game. It doesn’t just change the giant, wizard-eating spiders, but the smaller, regular-sized spiders as well. It also removes the skittering sounds they make. In this way, it covers a wider range of models than Jedi: Survivor or Grounded.
The Hogwarts Legacy graphic for this update shows a cartoony spider with no legs and roller skates for feet. This is a nod to the Riddikulus scene in 2004’s The Prisoner of Azkaban, where Ron uses the spell on a Boggart, which turns into a giant spider. Players should note that the images of the spiders in the Field Guide are unchanged. They still have maximum scary.
Our latest patch for #HogwartsLegacy includes Arachnophobia Mode, making venturing into spider-infested areas significantly less intimidating!
Full notes: https://t.co/9Cods9n1G5 pic.twitter.com/nDck8b6SH1— Hogwarts Legacy (@HogwartsLegacy) May 4, 2023
Along with the Arachnophobia Mode, this update adds Twitch Drops for the Professor Ronen Cosmetic Set. It also addresses a laundry list of bug fixes in gameplay, cinematics, and Achievement/Trophy support.
Whatever your stance on this game, this is a welcome (and optional) feature to any adventure game. Hogwarts Legacy is available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. It is also launching on PS4 and Xbox One tomorrow, with a Nintendo Switch port coming this Summer.
What game would you like to see an Arachnophobia Mode for? Let us know in the comments below.