Polygon urges Obsidian to add an ophidiophobia filter after Grounded 2’s snake

Published Feb. 1, 2026, Polygon’s piece says Obsidian Entertainment’s Grounded 2 added a large snake in the Toxic Tangle update, and the writer is asking the developer to add an ophidiophobia (snake-fear) filter.

The writer describes stumbling on a giant red-and-yellow snake — a California red-sided garter snake variant with spines — and says the creature is used to ferry players around a makeshift croquet field, likening it to a cold-blooded version of Studio Ghibli’s cat bus.

The article notes the snake is harmless in-game and won’t attack; the writer used the game’s "peep" mode to confirm it has no aggressive behaviors. The piece also points out that in Grounded 2, almost everything except snails and potato bugs is dangerous, which heightened the reaction.

Polygon’s writer asks Obsidian and Eidos Montreal to extend the game’s existing arachnophobia toggles to snakes. The spider options listed include "Full spider," "Bits of a spider," and "Cute orange glob," and the writer suggests snake filters that replace the full creature with a vaguely snake-coded shape or a simple "globby noodle."

The article ends by urging Obsidian to add such an option so players with ophidiophobia can still enjoy the new content; it remains unclear whether the developers will implement a snake filter.

polygon, obsidian entertainment, eidos montreal, grounded 2, toxic tangle update, ophidiophobia filter, arachnophobia toggles, garter snake, california red-sided garter snake, snake bus, peep mode, my neighbor totoro