Grounded 2 Repeats Its Formula – Now with Rideable Bugs!
▼ Summary
– The author recalls playing the original Grounded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, using it as a social multiplayer experience focused on base-building rather than the story.
– Grounded 2 follows a similar survival-crafting formula but lacks major innovations in its early access, relying on nostalgia and minor upgrades like bug mounts.
– The sequel expands the setting to a larger park and emphasizes anticapitalist satire, aligning with Obsidian Entertainment’s storytelling style.
– Base-building remains a standout feature, capturing the childhood joy of constructing forts, though resource gathering can feel repetitive and tedious.
– Early access offers a familiar but slow start, with limited new features like bug riding, making it uncertain whether it will rekindle the original’s multiplayer appeal.
Exploring the backyard has never felt more thrilling than in Grounded 2, the sequel that builds on its predecessor’s survival crafting formula while introducing a few fresh twists. While the core experience remains familiar, the addition of rideable bugs and an expanded world breathes new life into the shrunken-down adventure.
Those who played the original will recognize the setup immediately. After escaping a shady corporate lab, players find themselves stranded in a vast park, forced to survive by scavenging resources and crafting tools. The thrill of turning everyday backyard objects into life-saving gear remains as satisfying as ever. A simple pebble becomes a weapon, grass transforms into sturdy walls, and acorns serve as makeshift containers. The progression from helpless kid to backyard warrior still delivers that same sense of accomplishment.
Base building continues to be the game’s strongest feature, tapping into that childhood nostalgia of constructing forts with friends. The crafting system is intuitive, letting players piece together structures with ease. Whether it’s a simple lean-to or an elaborate multi-story hideout, the freedom to build remains one of the most engaging aspects. The sequel’s larger map and improved visuals, thanks to Unreal Engine 5, make the world feel more alive, though some areas still resemble the original’s grassy landscapes a little too closely.
One of the biggest new additions is the ability to tame and ride bugs, a feature fans have been clamoring for. After hatching an egg and raising an ant, players can mount their six-legged companion to traverse the environment faster. It’s a small but impactful change that enhances the fantasy of mastering the miniature wilderness.
That said, the early hours can feel repetitive, especially for returning players. Gathering resources like weed stems and acorns follows the same grind-heavy loop as before, and the slow start might test the patience of those eager for something fresh. The expanded map helps, with clever environmental twists like an ice cream truck standing in for a snow biome, but the core survival mechanics remain largely unchanged.
For newcomers, Grounded 2 offers a polished take on the survival genre with a whimsical twist. Veterans, however, might find themselves waiting for more substantial updates before diving back in. Whether it’s enough to reunite old gaming groups remains to be seen, but there’s no denying the charm of turning a backyard into an epic battleground, especially when you’ve got a giant ant as your trusty steed.
Grounded 2 is now available in early access on PC and Xbox Series X.
(Source: Polygon)
