Summary
- Grounded 2 was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, promising a larger world.
- The game is coming to Game Preview on July 29, giving players a chance to play the bug-themed adventure soon.
- Obsidian Entertainment has had a big year, with The Outer Worlds 2 coming on October 29 as well.
Obsidian has revealed Grounded 2, and fans of the first game will not have long to wait until they can check out the next installment. Grounded 2 was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, giving fans a look at what to expect from the open-world survival game, including the miniaturized gameplay that the series is known for.
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, the original Grounded was released in early access in July 2020. The game forced players to survive in a hostile backyard environment after being shrunk. As a survival game, battles take place against insects that have become a much bigger threat thanks to the reduced size of the player. Over the years, the game has sold millions of units and received various updates to improve the experience. However, it looks like the developers have decided to take the bug-themed adventure further in a new installment.
Grounded: The 12 Best Armor Sets, Ranked
Knowing which items are worth investing resources into in Grounded is important, and armor is a key component of that philosophy.
As part of the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, a trailer for Grounded 2 was revealed, giving players a first look at the new game from Obsidian Entertainment. The developer teased a world that will be “much larger” than the previous one and will include the opportunity for more co-op survival gameplay with friends in a new park setting. In the video, fans saw some of the environments that will be explored in the open world and some of the gear that can be brandished against the various beasts, including shields, knives, and a bow. Some of the aggressive critters showcased were a praying mantis, a spider, a scorpion, and a caterpillar. However, the video also revealed that some of these insects can be mounted and used in battle.
When Does Grounded 2 Come to Game Preview?
- July 29, 2025
Beyond showing off gameplay, the developer announced that Grounded 2 would be coming to Game Preview on July 29 for players to try out ahead of a full release. This means there are less than two months to wait. It is worth noting that the Game Preview will be available on both PC and Xbox Series X/S, giving players the option of which platform they prefer. In addition, the title is a day-one game coming to Xbox Game Pass.
The reveal of Grounded 2 comes as 2025 has already been a big year for Obsidian Entertainment. The developer released Avowed on February 18, an RPG that has gained a notable player base. Furthermore, Pillars of Eternity continues to receive support with a turn-based combat mode expected for the original game sometime in 2025. The developer is also releasing The Outer Worlds 2 on October 29, 2025.
It will be interesting to see what the reception to Grounded 2 turns out to be once it releases on Game Preview. Hopefully, it will deliver more of the fun gameplay that made the original Grounded beloved by many fans.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- September 27, 2022
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
The world is a vast, beautiful, and dangerous place – especially when you have been shrunk to the size of an ant. Explore, build and survive together in this first-person, multiplayer, survival adventure. Can you thrive alongside the hordes of giant insects, fighting to survive the perils of the backyard?
Uncover the mysteries while playing through the story!
How did you wind up so small? Who did this to you? How do you go home? These are all answers you will uncover as you play through the story.
Solo or with friends – anytime!
You can face the backyard alone or together, online, with up to three friends. Not only that, but with the Shared Worlds feature, you can continue to play in your shared world even if the original host is not on, with all your progression saving!
Nowhere is safe – not even your base!
Creatures can be found roaming the yard in a multitude of environments, such as the depths of the pond, the caverns of the termite den, and even the sweltering heat found in the sandbox. You can even attract them to different places in the yard by activating the MIX.R devices. However, the more you interfere with the creatures in the yard, the higher the chance that they come knocking at your own door, so you better prepare.
