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Pentiment
13 Accessibility Features

We've documented 13 accessibility features for Pentiment, including Large Subtitles, Large Text, Remap Buttons, Speaker Indicator and Fully Subtitled (Or No Speech). Its accessibility is strongest in Reading and Controls but it also has features in Visual and Audio to reduce unintended barriers.

This report is created with input from accessibility experts and the player community to help people find games that have the accessibility features they require. Once you have found potential games on the database, there are excellent specialist accessibility sites that offer in-depth reviews to guide your purchasing decisions.

Pentiment is a historical role-playing game where you explore 16th century Germany world to solve a murder. Play takes place in the pages of an old book and involves exploring the world, talking to people and discovering new ways the narrative evolves. It stands out for playfully challenging how we think about history, and what happens when you lose control of this.

Our accessibility examiner, Andrew Robertson, first checked Pentiment accessibility 19 months ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 19 months ago.

NotesAccessibility Notes

There is a High Contrast mode for better visibility. You can adjust the size of text and subtitles.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 15/11/2022, updated in 2022

Out Now: PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox X|S

Players: 1

Genres: Brain Game, Communication (Adventure, Narrative, Puzzle, Role-Play and Shooting)

Accessibility: 13 features

Components: 2D Side-On and Text

Developer: Obsidian (@Obsidian)

Costs: Purchase cost

 

ControlsControls

To complete the main campaign of the game you need to use a minimum of:

  • Xbox: 11 buttons, 2 triggers and 1 stick.
The following tables guide you through which buttons you can map to custom controllers:

Action Xbox Notes Required
Map Y Button
Interact A Button
Movement Left StickOr D-Pad.
Aim Zoom View ButtonZooms out to view the margins of the book for additional information/glossary.

Action Xbox Notes Required
Map Y Button
Interact A Button
Movement Left StickOr D-Pad.
Aim Zoom View ButtonZooms out to view the margins of the book for additional information/glossary.

Journal Menu Xbox Notes Required
Menu - Open Menu Menu Button
Notes/Journal X Button
Menu - Close B Button
Menu - Previous Page Left Bumper + D-Pad Up + D-Pad Left + Left TriggerPrevious Journal Page/Tab/Entry.
Menu - Next Page D-Pad Right + Right Bumper + D-Pad Down + Right TriggerNext Journal Page/Tab/Entry.

Mini-game Xbox Notes Required
Examine X Button
Interact A Button
Menu - Back/Undo B ButtonLeave mini-game.
Movement Left StickNavigate.
Use Ability Left Trigger + Right TriggerTake Left/Right action.

Journal Menu Xbox Notes Required
Menu - Open Menu Menu Button
Notes/Journal X Button
Menu - Close B Button
Menu - Previous Page Left Bumper + D-Pad Up + D-Pad Left + Left TriggerPrevious Journal Page/Tab/Entry.
Menu - Next Page D-Pad Right + Right Bumper + D-Pad Down + Right TriggerNext Journal Page/Tab/Entry.

Mini-game Xbox Notes Required
Examine X Button
Interact A Button
Menu - Back/Undo B ButtonLeave mini-game.
Movement Left StickNavigate.
Use Ability Left Trigger + Right TriggerTake Left/Right action.

We've documented 3 accessibility features for Controls in Pentiment which deal with how you control the game, different options for alternative inputs and whether you can remap these settings to suit your needs.

Gamepad

Can play with the following:

Multiple Buttons & Single Stick: Can play with multiple buttons and a stick.

Remap Controls

Can customise the controls for the game as follows:

Inputs Documented: The inputs required to complete the game in campaign mode or play competitively are documented on the database (or in other official documentation).

Remap Buttons: Can re-map all buttons so that you can use alternatives that better suit your play.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Controls

If you want to play Pentiment, but it doesn't offer the Controls accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Controls accessibility:

DifficultyDifficulty

We haven’t documented any accessibility features for Difficulty in Pentiment which deal with how you can adjust the challenge of play, and whether this is locked once chosen or can be adjusted as you play. The following games are similar to Pentiment, and offer accessibility features for Difficulty:

Getting StartedGetting Started

We haven’t documented any accessibility features for Getting Started in Pentiment which deal with what support is offered to get started with the game. This includes customising the experience when you first open the game via any onboarding processes it provides as well as tutorials and other assistance when you first start playing. The following games are similar to Pentiment, and offer accessibility features for Getting Started:

ReadingReading

We've documented 6 accessibility features for Reading in Pentiment which deal with how much reading or listening comprehension is required, how well the game provides visual and audible access to the text and whether subtitles and captions are a good fit for purpose.

Reading Level

How much reading is required to play the game's main path or story and how complex the language is. The presence of voiced characters doesn't reduce this requirement, as it's recorded as a separate datapoint.

Moderate Reading: Moderate reading required. The quantity and complexity of reading are at a level that a high school student (14-year-old) would appreciate.

Text Visibility

Large Clear Text: All essential text is large and clear or can be adjusted to be. The general text used throughout the game in menus, instructions and other key information (excluding subtitles that are assessed separately) is at least 1/20 (46 pixels on 1080 screen) the height on landscape screens and at least 1/40 height on portrait screens. We base this on the full line-height, including the space above and below the letters.

High Contrast Text: Text colour contrasts to the background or can be adjusted to be. The text in menus, instructions and other information is presented in high contrast with a solid background.

Subtitles

Large Clear Subtitles: Subtitles are large, clear and of good contrast. They are at least 1/20 (46 pixels on 1080 screen) the height of a landscape screen and at least 1/40 height on portrait screens, or can be adjusted to be. We base this on the full line-height, including the space above and below the letters. Considered separately from the general text of the game, the subtitles are large, clear and of good contrast.

All Speech Subtitled (Or No Speech In Game): All spoken content has subtitles, or there is no speech in the game. This means there is no requirement to hear spoken dialogue or narrative to play the game.

Captions

Speaker Indicator: Textual captions indicate who is speaking (or there is only ever one person speaking). This can also be indicated visually in the game with character icons or placing text in speech bubbles next to the person speaking.

NavigationNavigation

We haven’t documented any accessibility features for Navigation in Pentiment which deal with how the game provides guidance and assistance to navigate its worlds. These are only for games that have traversal and exploration in 2D and 3D spaces. The following games are similar to Pentiment, and offer accessibility features for Navigation:

VisualVisual

We've documented 3 accessibility features for Visual in Pentiment which deal with how you can adjust the visuals to suit your needs, and offer additional information if you can't hear the game.

Contrast

Medium Contrast: Game uses generally well contrasting and bright visuals, or has a slider to make this the case.

Visual Distractions

No Flashes: No flashing strobe effects or you can disable them. This includes the absence of flashing from dramatic visual effects, explosions or weather effects like lightning.

Violence

Turn Off Blood: Reduce or disable graphic content of blood and gore.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Visual

If you want to play Pentiment, but it doesn't offer the Visual accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Visual accessibility:

AudioAudio

We've documented 1 accessibility feature for Audio in Pentiment which deals with how you can adjust the audio of the game and whether audio cues compensate for aspects of the game that are hard to see.

Adjustable Audio

Balance Audio Levels: Set music and game sound effects separately. This enables you to select your preference as well as ensure critical game sounds aren't obscured by other audio.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Audio

If you want to play Pentiment, but it doesn't offer the Audio accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Audio accessibility:

System Accessibility Settings

In addition to the accessibility features provided in the game, you can also use system-wide accessibility settings:

Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch has some built-in features, including a lockable zoom, that can be used on all games.
 
PC
Windows has extensive accessibility features. Some, like colour correction, work with games. Lots of accessibility software can be used with PC games, from voice recognition to input device emulators.
 
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 4 has a range of accessibility settings. Some are system only, some work in games (invert colours and button mapping).
 
PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 has a range of system-wide accessibility settings.
 
Xbox One
Xbox One has a system features, the excellent co-pilot share controls mode and adaptive controller support for all games.
 
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox One has a system features, the excellent co-pilot share controls mode and adaptive controller support for all games.
 
Read more about system accessibility settings.

VSC LogoAccessibility Report supported by VSC Rating Board, PlayabilityInitiative and accessibility contributors Jo Robertson


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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