Obsidian Entertainment launched its new co-op survival sequel Grounded 2 into Early Access yesterday on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass. This backyard adventure doubles down on the weird and wild of suburban nature, where you and your bug-sized buddies ride ants, slay beetles, and build bases among the grass blades.
Brookhollow Park—the first playable zone—is already larger than the entire map of Grounded 1. That scale isn’t just for show: with ridable spiders, expanded biomes, and a swarm of new crafting options, the game wastes no time reminding you that this is not just a retread. It’s bigger, weirder, and absolutely crawling with potential.
Speaking of crawling, accessibility isn’t a checkbox here—it’s a cornerstone. The upgraded arachnophobia mode lets you scale back the spider spook factor even while riding them, and there’s full support for colorblind players, customizable UI narration, and subtitle tweaks. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a comfort-seeker, the devs have your back.
Obsidian’s also flipping the Early Access script. Instead of constant micro-patches, Grounded 2 will deliver chunky, seasonal updates every four to five months. These drops will pack in new zones, fresh creatures, base-building features, and full story arcs—because nothing says “bug-hunting bonanza” like a quarterly content buffet.
Importantly, Obsidian confirmed that Grounded 1 isn’t going anywhere. The original game stays online, fully playable, and peer-to-peer friendly. Your save files won’t be composted. That’s more than nostalgia—it’s respect for the little guys who built their empires in the dirt.
Early impressions are glowing. From critics to Redditors, the buzz is real: Grounded 2 already feels like a smarter, bolder follow-up that honors its roots while scaling up the scope. If you’re craving a co-op survival game with an action-adventure heart and a healthy dash of bug-borne chaos, it’s time to dive back into the grass.
