Oh man, buckle up, dear pixel adventurers! Because when the temperatures rise and summer melts us, we shrink with it. Grounded 2 straight into the next mega-adventure! At the end of July the time has come and Obsidian, in cooperation with Eidos Montréal, send us back to tiny survival - and it will be a feast for anyone who has ever wanted to know how an ant feels when it meets a mosquito that has just trained its muscles.
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Old acquaintances and new challenges in Grounded 2
Well, who is looking forward to a Reunion with the shrinking super-teens Hoops, Max, Willow and Pete? The four intrepid mini-humans are back in the game and are once again cut down to ant size. As if that wasn't enough chaos, we can also look forward to the wondrous brain convolutions of Dr. Tully and the indispensable robot friend BURGL. Incidentally, all of this takes place in the legendary year 1992, in Brookhollow Park, where the grass is taller than any skyscraper and a tipped-over popsicle becomes a deadly avalanche.
The start card from Grounded 2 is gigantic - about as big as the entire map of the first part. There is also a new snow biome with frosty surprises in store. If you want to survive here, you need more than just courage: warm clothing is a must, because even a strawberry ice disaster area can turn into an icy grave.
Buggies and bugs: On crawling animals into adventure
An absolute highlight are the new buggies - rideable insects that revolutionize traversing the world. Already a dream of the community in the first part, they are now becoming reality. So that the little Mounts the level design has been completely revised. This means new areas, more shortcuts, other sources of danger and of course: speed!
There are also some changes on the enemy side. The familiar insects from Part 1 have become more intelligent, develop new tactics and sometimes attack in groups. We also come across new creatures such as green caterpillars, scorpions and other nasty crawlers that make it difficult for us to survive. Thanks to a new multifunctional tool that combines a shovel, hammer and wrench, we save space in our inventory and are still prepared for any situation.
Co-op, archetypes and community decisions
Grounded 2 remains true to itself: it is planned from the outset as a game preview in which the community is actively involved in development. As with its predecessor, the story is not set in stone, but will be significantly shaped by you, the community. Your wishes and feedback are worth their weight in gold and have a significant influence on the development - that's quite an announcement!
New archetypes with individual abilities offer players the opportunity to define their own play style - whether solo or in co-op. The challenges of the gigantic world can be mastered much better in a team. Together you can build bases, forge weapons, breed insect friends and even ride them. The beetle-like companions can not only support you in battle, but also carry materials or help build structures. This is how Grounded 2 a tactical, social and creative adventure at the same time.
A shadow in the thicket: suspense right down to the last root
Behind the colorful backdrop and the adventurous Playgrounds however, there is a constant threat lurking. A dark shadow is watching you, learning and waiting for the right moment to strike. What exactly is following you remains a mystery for the time being - but one thing is clear: every decision, every exploration brings you closer to the truth. The narrative depth, according to Obsidian increase significantly and adapt closely to your progress and playing style.
Survive, build, grow together in Grounded 2
As a human the size of an ant, once familiar places are transformed into an unexplored Miniature kingdom. It's not just about bare survival, but also about adapting and evolving. With individual archetypes that focus on precision, strength or cunning, each player can develop their own style. And because you are stronger together, the focus is once again on co-op mode: build, fight and survive together - that's the motto.
Ride, fight, collect: Insects are your new best friends
They crawl, they fly - and now they carry you through the world. The so-called beetles can not only be ridden, but can also be used as helpers for transporting materials or building bases. In combination with new biomes and smarter enemy AI, this creates a system that cleverly combines strategy and fun.
Release date, platforms and price
Grounded 2 will be released on July 29, 2025 as a Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S, PC and via Xbox Cloud Gaming. The price is 29.99 euros - for Game Pass subscribers, the game is available directly from launch. Thanks to Xbox Play Anywhere you can switch seamlessly between console and PC.
Small, clever, cooperative - Grounded 2 his survival story mix to the next level
Grounded 2 is a new interpretation of the Shrink genres with a clear vision, clever design and an extra portion of heart and soul. Obsidian has deliberately decided against expanding the first part and instead created a game that aims to set new standards in terms of technology and gameplay. With new biomes, improved enemy AI, mounts, co-op functions and community integration Grounded 2 a must-play for fans of survival, crafting and co-op adventures.