Grounded 2: Everything We Know

Remember when Grounded dropped and no one expected a survival game about shrunken teens in a backyard to hit as hard as it did? It looked like a quirky side project — tiny kids, big bugs, and a lawn full of danger. But somehow, it worked. Really well. It mixed classic survival mechanics with unexpected heart, a dash of mystery, and a world where everyday objects turned into full-on survival hazards. Now, Grounded 2 is on the way for its Early Access release, and it’s aiming to go way beyond the backyard.

In Grounded sequel, the adventure takes place in Brookhollow Park, a much larger and more complex world. The original crew is back — older, tougher, and ready to face even bigger threats. We’re getting rideable bug companions, a smarter combat system, a story packed with secrets, and co-op survival that leans heavily into community feedback.

So what’s new this time? Where are we going? What kind of bugs can we ride? And how exactly is Grounded sequel going to expand on the systems that made the original such a surprise hit? Let’s break down everything we know so far about Grounded 2, from gameplay and story to platforms, release, and more.

What is Grounded 2?

Grounded 2 is a first- or third-person co-op survival game where you once again play as shrunken teenagers trying to survive in a world where every blade of grass towers over you. In the original, you had to make shelter from grass, scavenge for scraps, and battle massive bugs, all while trying to uncover a strange mystery. The sequel takes that core idea and cranks up the scale. Instead of being trapped in just the backyard, the action now moves to Brookhollow Park — a much larger, more complex space that completely changes how you explore, build, and survive.

It’s still focused on teamwork, crafting, and exploration, but now the world is bigger, denser, and way more varied.

The developers are building on a solid foundation – the first game became a surprise hit with over 25 million players jumping in. Grounded 2 aims to keep that original charm while introducing fresh systems, mechanics, and surprises. It’s still the same “tiny kids in a giant world” idea, but now on a grander, more dangerous stage.

Story

The story in Grounded 2 picks up two years after the events of the first game. The same group of teens is back, but now they’re “a little older, a little bolder,” as the devs put it. This time, they’re not stuck in the backyard — they’ve somehow ended up in Brookhollow Park, a much bigger and wilder place that’s packed with secrets. The developers haven’t revealed exactly how they got there or why, but they’ve confirmed that “a whole new world” and “a massive new setting and story with mysteries to discover” await. Clearly, something deeper is going on again — probably more shady science experiments, more clues to who shrunk them, and more strange tech hiding behind everyday objects.

What makes this even more exciting is how the story will unfold. According to Obsidian, “we won’t tell you the whole story at the launch of Game Preview,” but there will be “enough there for you to start uncovering mysteries, chasing clues, and sharing your wildest theories right away.” That means the narrative is going to evolve over time, just like the first game did. You’ll piece it together by exploring the world, finding hidden objects, and paying attention to the strange things left behind. This approach worked really well in Grounded, where players uncovered the story bit by bit, and it looks like Grounded 2 is leaning even harder into that mystery-driven experience.

Gameplay

If you’ve played the first Grounded, the sequel will feel familiar, but bigger in every way. You’ll still play as tiny teens trying to survive by building, crafting, and battling bugs. But this time, instead of the backyard, you’ll explore “Brookhollow Park” — a brand-new world that’s way larger and more detailed. The devs say the “starting zone alone is nearly as big as the entire backyard from the first game.” So right from the beginning, players will have much more space to explore, more places to build, and new challenges to deal with.

One of the most exciting new features is “Buggies” – insect companions you can tame, ride, and fight with. They aren’t just for getting around. Each Buggy has its own special ability. For example, you can call in a “Red Ant Buggy” to help carry building supplies, or ride an “Orb Weaver” spider that can “stun enemies mid-fight.” You’re not just fighting bugs anymore; some are actually on your side and help you survive, explore, and build in new ways.

Combat is also getting a full upgrade. The devs call this “Combat 2.0”, and it brings in new systems like “dodging” and “smarter enemy behavior.” That means fights will be more intense and require more skill. Enemies won’t just charge at you — they’ll react to your moves. This is a big step up from the simpler combat in the first game.

There are also big changes to tools and the world itself. The new “Omni-Tool” is a handy upgrade that combines your axe, hammer, shovel, and wrench into one single tool. This saves backpack space and makes crafting and building way easier. The park is filled with “new and returning bugs”, including new enemies like “cockroaches that block your attacks.”

Development

On the development side, Obsidian Entertainment (the studio behind the first game) has teamed up with Eidos Montréal to create the sequel. Both studios have a strong track record, so their collaboration bodes well for Grounded 2.

Grounded sequel will launch in a Game Preview (via Xbox) /Early Access (via Steam) format, echoing how the first game started. By getting the community in from day one, the team will use a public roadmap and player feedback to guide updates and new content. That said, they won’t reveal the entire story at launch, letting players uncover mysteries as the game evolves.

Trailer

In the Grounded 2 trailer, we see the four teens return – but this time, the adventure moves beyond the backyard into a much larger and more dangerous environment. The trailer shows off new creatures, including some massive insects, and teases more complex survival systems. There’s also a clear reference to the first game. Overall, the trailer sets up a bigger, bolder journey with new threats, deeper systems, and even more surprises.

Release Date, Platforms, and Editions

You won’t have to wait long. Grounded 2 hits Game Preview on Xbox and Early Access on Steam on July 29, 2025, priced at $29.99. If you’re a Game Pass subscriber, you can play it day one at no extra cost. That includes Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Thanks to Xbox Play Anywhere, one purchase covers both console and PC, with full cross-save support. That’s a big win for anyone who switches between platforms or wants to squad up with friends on different systems.

As of now, there’s no word on full editions or deluxe content. Since it’s launching in Game Preview, expect the full game to evolve over time, just like the first Grounded. And if you played that one, you know Obsidian adds content fast. To stay updated on the latest news about the Grounded sequel, you can follow the game’s official social media accounts here.