Grounded 2 has officially launched into Early Access, and fans of the original game are in for an exciting new adventure. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment in collaboration with Eidos-Montréal, this sequel builds on the charm, creativity, and challenge of the first game—while massively expanding the world and deepening the systems that made Grounded so unique.
A Quick Look Back at Grounded
The original Grounded was a surprise hit when it launched in 2020. Players were shrunk down to the size of insects and left to survive in a suburban backyard teeming with bugs, secrets, and dangers. It blended crafting, exploration, and base-building with a quirky yet immersive atmosphere. Whether battling spiders with homemade weapons or building elaborate forts from blades of grass, Grounded offered a fresh take on the survival genre. Its co-op mode made it even more enjoyable, letting players team up and face the backyard’s challenges together.
Obsidian supported the original game with regular updates, listening closely to the community and adding new content throughout its development. That relationship with players is continuing into Grounded 2 – and it shows.
What’s New in Grounded 2
Grounded 2 takes everything the first game did well and cranks it up. The biggest change is the setting: rather than being limited to a backyard, the new game opens up a huge area called Brookhollow Community Park.
This new location includes multiple biomes—such as a playground, picnic areas, and overgrown trails, each filled with unique bugs, resources, and environmental hazards.
Buggies!
One of the standout features is the introduction of rideable insects known as “buggies.” Players can tame and mount certain creatures like ants, beetles, and even bees, turning travel and combat into faster and more tactical experiences. Buggies aren’t just a gimmick—they’re central to gameplay, offering mounted combat and new traversal mechanics that change how you explore the world.
Crafting and survival systems have also been upgraded. The new Omni-Tool streamlines how you gather resources and fight, combining several tools into one. The UI and inventory system have been refined for a smoother, more intuitive experience, and players can now take on more varied roles in co-op thanks to expanded character skills and item options.
The Roadmap Ahead
Even though Grounded 2 just launched into Early Access, the developers have already outlined plans for future updates. Over 900 community suggestions have been considered, and many are making their way into the game’s development cycle. Upcoming features include new boss encounters, more advanced base-building options, additional biomes, and new bug types.
One highly anticipated addition is the story campaign, which is planned for a later update. Right now, the game focuses on sandbox survival and exploration, but narrative elements will become more important as development continues. Players can also expect seasonal events, improved multiplayer systems, and deeper AI behaviors from creatures as the game evolves.
Outlined Roadmap Items
Fall Update
- The Park – AXL Recipes
- The Park – AXL’s Arena
- Building Grid
- Variious Quality of Life improvements
- Hotpouch on Buggies
- AXL: Park Boss
- AXL: Armor
- AXL: Weapons
- AXL: Furniture
- Japanese (Text)
- Brazilian Portuguese (Text)
Winter Update
- Steamdeck Verified
- Steamdeck Cross-play (with Microsoft Account)
- ROG Ally
- Features – PlayGrounds
- Features – Sour 2.0
- Features – PEEP.R 2.0
- Features – Coziness
- Buggies – Ladybug Buggy
- Buggies – PEEP.R on Buggy
- Buggies – QOL & Interaction Improvements
- Creatures – Cricket
- Creatures – Earwig
- Creatures – New Variants of Existing Insects
Summer Update
- Features – Smoothies 2.0
- Features – Swimming 2.0
- Features – Ziplines
Future Plans
- Features – Passive Mutations
- Features – Active Mutations 2.0
- Buggies – More New Buggies
- Buggies – Buggy Mutations
- Buggies – Buggy Customization
- Buggies – Buggy Progression
- Creatures – New Creatures
- Creatures – New Park Bosses
- Creatures – New Colossi
- Progression – New Armors, Weapons, Omni Tool Unlocks
- Progression- New Archtypes
- Building – New Building Materials, buildings, customization, and Base Moving
- Language Support – Arabic, Korean, Polish, Russian, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish
Final Thoughts
Grounded 2 is shaping up to be more than just a sequel – it’s bringing more of what the community loved and wanted. The new setting, expanded features, and community-driven development make it a strong contender for one of the best survival games currently in development. While it’s still in Early Access, there’s already a lot to explore and enjoy, with even more content just around the corner. It is extremely polished, if a bit unoptimized at the moment.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original or brand new to the series, now is a great time to dive into Grounded 2 and start building your tiny legacy in the wilds of Brookhollow Park.
