In a thrilling surprise for Grounded fans, Obsidian unveiled an unexpected sequel, tentatively titled Grounded 2, during last weekend's Xbox Games Showcase.
Obsidian has announced that Grounded 2 will follow a similar path as the original by launching into early access next month, evolving over time with robust community support and feedback. I had the opportunity to play a brief demo at the Xbox Games Showcase in Los Angeles. My overwhelming impression, which I offer as a full-throated compliment, is this: yep, this is definitely a more expansive Grounded!
Based on the short snippet I played, it's admittedly difficult to detail all the ways Grounded 2 differs from its predecessor. While I could have jumped into a later section, I chose the tutorial to brush up on my admittedly rusty Grounded skills.
Consequently, much of what I experienced in the tutorial was, pleasingly, classic Grounded. You play as the same kids—now two years older—who have been shrunk to ant-size due to the shady operations of a corporation called Ominent. Post-shrinking, they grapple with amnesia, remembering little of their prior lives. Fortunately, the teens recall the core events of their last tiny backyard adventure, though they must relearn many previously acquired skills. Crafting returns in full force: you'll analyze objects to discover new recipes, then construct armor, weapons, tools, and other gear for survival. You'll scavenge early areas for sustenance like mushrooms and dewdrops to avoid starvation. Combat is also familiar, involving tense skirmishes with bugs using makeshift spears. All the foundational elements that made the original so engaging are present and ready for players who simply wanted more of that same experience.
What’s new was subtler in this early-game sample, but I glimpsed a few additions. A new Omni-tool consolidates all your tools into one versatile item, freeing up inventory space. I briefly used it to chop giant grass blades, replacing the traditional axe. Another welcome addition is a dedicated dodge button in combat, which felt so intuitive I momentarily forgot it wasn't in the first game. These are quality-of-life improvements, but they promise to streamline the overall experience significantly. It's genuinely surprising the original Grounded launched without a dodge function!
The most significant new feature I tested was the Buggy system—essentially, creature mounts. I had the chance to ride a large ant, and it was surprisingly awesome. Who knew riding a giant bug could be so fun? Beyond simple traversal, Buggies offer multiple functions. You can sprint, switch to a slow "gathering mode" where your mount automatically collects nearby resources, or command it to fight or chew through obstacles like grass. At one point, I charged through a mite nest clutching a glowing mushroom torch while my ant mount handled the combat, devouring every mite that attacked.
In a post-preview interview, I learned that these Buggy mounts were a primary reason for creating a sequel, among other factors. The original Grounded’s map was never designed for the speed of mounted travel, making mounts impractical. To integrate the highly requested rideable bugs, Obsidian needed a much larger world.
That's exactly what Grounded 2 delivers. The sequel shifts the setting from a backyard to Brookhollow Park, which Obsidian states is approximately three times larger. I likely only saw the tiniest, earliest-game corner of this park—a welcoming zone designed to ease both newcomers and veterans back into the shrunken world before their grand mounted adventures begin.
I still have questions about what else Grounded 2 offers to justify a full sequel rather than a major expansion. Mechanically, rideable bugs alone might not convince every player. However, Grounded has always emphasized narrative, and this sequel introduces a brand-new story. It allows Obsidian to age the protagonists, advance Ominent's sinister plot, and dramatically expand the world. Given that the original Grounded was incredibly fun on its own merits, I'm certainly ready for more—especially if it includes riding bugs into the sunset. Ride like the wind, bug riders.
