Grounded 2 Early Access Review: A Sequel that Justifies Its Existence

In a world of sequels that often feel like retreads, Grounded 2 arrives as a triumphant and fully justified continuation of Obsidian Entertainment’s beloved survival game. Released in Early Access on PC and Xbox Series X|S, this follow-up takes the charming, ant-sized premise of the original and expands upon it in every meaningful way. While it is still in a very incomplete state with plenty of rough edges, the core experience is already an evolution of the formula, with a more substantial story, deeper RPG mechanics, and a few truly game-changing additions that set it on a path to becoming one of the best survival games on the market.

The core premise remains the same: a group of kids are mysteriously shrunken down and must survive in a world where a blade of grass is a tree and a spider is a monster. However, the sequel’s setting, a massive public park, is a more vibrant and diverse location than the original’s backyard. The starting area alone is nearly the size of the entire map from the first game, and it’s already packed with new landmarks like a scorching hot grill that acts as a volcanic biome, a giant, overturned trash can, and a sprawling picnic table. This larger scale is complemented by a stronger sense of place, with different zones offering unique challenges and resources. The art direction and lighting, powered by Unreal Engine 5, are a significant upgrade, making the world feel even more magical and epic despite its mundane origins.

Deepening the Experience with RPG and Mounts

Obsidian’s RPG roots shine brightly in Grounded 2. The game introduces a more robust character class system, allowing you to specialize in different playstyles. You can build a nimble rogue with a deadly dagger and a parry-focused combat style, or a lumbering brute in heavy ladybug shell armor. The new charged attacks and a revamped ranged combat system, with more powerful bows and staffs, add a new layer of strategy to every bug encounter. This deeper progression system, combined with new armor sets and mutations, makes every decision about your build feel more impactful. For a genre often defined by simple grinding, this focus on role-playing and character customization is a breath of fresh air.

The most significant and game-changing addition, however, is the introduction of ridable insect mounts, known as “Buggies.” You can now tame and ride certain bugs, like a red soldier ant or a giant orb weaver spider. These mounts are more than just a means of traversal; they are a vital part of the gameplay. They allow you to cross the sprawling map in a fraction of the time, and their unique abilities—such as the soldier ant’s ability to chew through obstructions—open up new avenues for exploration and resource gathering. The ability to call a mount to your aid and ride into battle to help a friend in need is a truly epic moment that was not possible in the original. While only a handful of mounts are available in Early Access, they already feel like a revolutionary addition to the survival genre.

Early Access Woes and a Promising Road Ahead

As with any Early Access title, Grounded 2 is not without its problems. Performance can be inconsistent, with noticeable framerate drops in densely populated areas and large bases. The game is also prone to occasional crashes, and bugs can sometimes get stuck in the environment. The base-building system, while largely the same as the original, still has some frustrating collision detection issues. Furthermore, the early access version only includes a portion of the story and a limited number of biomes and bugs, with many iconic creatures from the first game still missing. Obsidian has a clear roadmap for the game’s future, with planned updates that will add new bosses, bugs, and biomes, including a water-themed update with water-based buggies and bases.

Despite these early issues, Grounded 2 is a remarkable achievement. Obsidian has proven once again that they are masters of crafting compelling experiences, even in an unfamiliar genre. The sequel is bigger, bolder, and more ambitious than the original, with a deeper story, a more robust class system, and a core gameplay loop that feels fresh and exciting. It’s a game that takes the already stellar foundation of the original and builds a true monument to the survival genre. While there is still a long way to go until its 1.0 release, the Early Access version is already a must-play for fans of the genre and a strong indication that this small-but-mighty series is destined for greatness.