Grounded 2 Preview: Bigger, More Immersive

Grounded fans received an exciting surprise when Obsidian unveiled an unexpected sequel called Grounded 2 during last weekend's Xbox Games Showcase.

Obsidian confirmed that Grounded 2 will follow its predecessor's approach by launching in early access, evolving over time with community feedback. This early access period begins soon—next month, in fact. At the Xbox Games Showcase in Los Angeles, I had a chance to play a brief demo, and my main takeaway can be summed up as: Yep, this is definitely more Grounded—just a bit bigger!

Based on my short demo, it's hard to pinpoint all the ways Grounded 2 differs from the original. Though I had the option to jump into a later section, I chose the tutorial to brush up on my rusty Grounded skills.

Much of what I experienced in the tutorial felt comfortingly familiar—it's still the same kids (now two years older), shrunk to ant-size by the shady corporation Ominent. While they suffer from amnesia, forgetting most of their pre-shrunken lives, they recall bits of their first tiny backyard adventure. Players must again learn to craft gear, scavenge for food (like mushrooms and dewdrops), and fend off insects with makeshift weapons. The core survival loop remains intact, perfect for fans who just want more of the original experience.

The new features were subtler in this early segment, but I noticed a few key additions. A handy Omni-tool consolidates all tools into one—freeing up inventory space—and even lets you chop giant grass blades. Combat now includes a dodge button, something so natural that I momentarily forgot it wasn’t in the first game. These may seem like minor tweaks, but they’ll make long-term gameplay much smoother. Seriously, how did Grounded launch without a dodge button?

The standout addition was the Buggy system—mounts that let you ride insects (like an ant, in my case). And yes, it's as fun as it sounds. Beyond just speeding up travel, Buggies can gather resources automatically, attack enemies, and even gnaw through obstacles. At one point, I charged through a mite nest, torch in hand, while my ant chewed up any pests in our path.

According to Obsidian, Buggies were a major reason Grounded 2 exists. The first game’s map wasn’t built for mount-speed traversal, so adding them required a much larger world. Hence, Grounded 2 shifts from a backyard to Brookhollow Park—reportedly three times bigger than the original setting. My demo only showed a tiny corner, but it hinted at a sprawling playground for ant-riding adventures.

That said, I’m still unsure if mounts alone justify a full sequel—especially since Grounded thrives on its story. Grounded 2 lets Obsidian age up its protagonists, advance Ominent’s shady schemes, and expand the world. And honestly, the first game was so enjoyable that more of it—plus bug-riding—sounds like a win. So saddle up, and ride like the wind, bug-style.