5 Games With Fantastic Accessibility Features

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Over time, video games have expanded their reach, and as more people play them, it’s crucial that those with diverse abilities can equally enjoy these games. Developers must strike a balance between offering customizable accessibility features while preserving the game’s challenge level. These options should cater to each player’s unique capabilities and preferences. This is no small feat, but here are five games that excel in this area.

1. Another Crab’s Treasure

Another Crab’s Treasure” is an adorable Souls-inspired game by Aggro Crab developers, demonstrating that even in the challenging Soulslike genre, it’s feasible to create a game with accessibility options. For players who appreciate a tougher challenge, the basic level of difficulty will be a delightful journey for seasoned Soulslike veterans. However, for those less familiar with the genre, the game offers a variety of difficulty and accessibility adjustments to customize the gaming experience.

The unique aspect of Another Crab’s Treasure‘s stance on accessibility stands out in contrast to many other games like Dark Souls. While some games may discourage players from utilizing accessibility features or deviating from the original gameplay, Another Crab’s Treasure takes a more inclusive approach. When a player adjusts the difficulty level, they are met with a message that reads: “Another Crab’s Treasure is designed to be challenging, but everyone plays in their own way! If the game’s difficulty negatively impacts your enjoyment, please feel free to activate some of these options to ease up on the challenge.” This message signifies that the creators value each player’s unique experience and fun within the game. This thoughtful approach to accessibility is a breath of fresh air in the gaming industry.

2. The Last of Us Part II

Apart from allowing players to reassign controls, The Last of Us Part II provides over 60 diverse customization options in gameplay, catering to various visual, auditory, and physical variations among players. The vision accessibility preset adjusts settings such as text magnification, aim assist enhancement, puzzle assistance, and more, making the game playable for visually impaired individuals. Similarly, the hearing and motor accessibility presets offer equivalent accommodations, with each setting independently adjustable.

3. Celeste

Initially released in 2018, the game Celeste was recognized for both its challenging nature and promises of accessibility. However, at launch, it only offered a Photosensitive Mode, which is significant but doesn’t fully represent what an accessible game should encompass. Since then, though, Celeste has added numerous features such as disabling screen shake and various difficulty settings that cater to players with different skill levels or abilities, enabling more individuals to appreciate the game’s compelling narrative and stunning graphics.

Although the challenging aspect of Celeste contributes to its popularity, its compelling story is another reason it’s a cult classic. For anyone wishing to explore Madeline’s journey on Celeste Mountain, the difficulty settings ensure that the game’s narrative remains accessible. Players who enjoy a challenge can opt for the standard difficulty level, while those who prefer an easier experience are still able to immerse themselves in Celeste’s world without any obstacles.

4. Hades and Hades II

In simpler terms, both “Hades” and “Hades II” are outstanding games that cater to players’ skill levels. They have a unique adaptive difficulty setting known as ‘God Mode’, which gently adjusts the game’s difficulty each time you die. Unlike traditional God Modes in other games, this one gradually makes the game easier over time. This way, the player and the game meet at a level where the challenge is just right – neither too easy nor too hard for the player. This is an excellent example of how developers can enhance accessibility without compromising their intended gaming experience.

5. Forza Horizon 5

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been blown away by the incredible accessibility features of Forza Horizon 5. It takes gaming to another level with customizable user interfaces, one-touch driving assists, and text-to-speech options that are second to none. But what truly sets it apart is its innovative sign language interpretation in cutscenes. That’s right! Playground Games didn’t just subtitle their scenes, they went the extra mile by offering a sign language option for those who use it as their primary means of communication. This feature makes gaming more accessible and inclusive for all, and that’s something I can really get behind.

A less common perspective, but it’s worth noting: Many individuals who can’t hear communicate through sign language as fluently as hearing people speak. Reading subtitles in English can be just as exhausting for them as reading a foreign language would be for hearing people. Including sign language in cutscenes offers a respite from reading and provides an opportunity for these individuals to engage with the game using their native language, fostering inclusivity and making games more accessible for a growing number of sign-language speakers.

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2025-07-28 23:41