The Article Tells the Story of:
- Grounded 2 Starts Where the First Game Ended—Literally
The new starter zone is the same size as the entire first game, and it’s only the beginning of a park three times larger than before. - You Can Ride Ants Into Battle and Use Spiders as Living Weapons
Ants help you haul supplies and dig. Orb weaver spiders attack fast, stun enemies, and double as terrifying mounts. - The Park Is a Deathtrap of Trash, Ice Cream, and Scorpions
Players must explore rotting garbage, Arctic zones from melted dessert carts, and fight off aggressive bugs in every corner. - Early Access Hits July 29—And Obsidian’s Still Hiding the Weirdest Bugs
From cockroaches to treehoppers to potential bat mounts, the list of creepy crawlies is far from complete.
Grounded 2 Triples the Game World With a Massive Park Map
Obsidian Entertainment has confirmed Grounded 2 will launch in early access on July 29. The announcement was made during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025. The sequel expands the size of the game world by three times compared to the original.
In Grounded 2, players will explore a sprawling community park. This new setting replaces the backyard from the first game. The park is far larger and introduces more variety and hazards. The starting area alone is the same size as the entire first game, according to Obsidian.
Before the players were shrunk down, the park was evacuated and left in chaos. The result is a large, messy, and dangerous space filled with junk, food waste, and aggressive insects. Players will explore new zones like a trash bin filled with rotting food and a fallen ice cream cart that creates a frozen Arctic environment.
Obsidian has teamed up with Eidos Montreal to build the sequel. This collaboration supports a bigger and more detailed map filled with interactive elements. The team aims to deliver new strategies, more intense combat, and a broader exploration experience.
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Bug Mounts Add New Transportation and Combat Mechanics
In Grounded 2, Obsidian introduces bug mounts as a new feature. Players can now ride ants and spiders to move through the park and battle enemies. This feature adds a strategic layer to survival and exploration.
Red ants are used for transport and utility. They can carry supplies, dig, and even form work teams. Players who mount red ant soldiers can recruit up to two red ant workers to follow them and assist in resource collection.
Spiders, on the other hand, serve as deadly combat mounts. Orb weaver spiders strike hard, move fast, and emit a terrifying shriek that stuns enemies. While this might be unsettling for players with arachnophobia, these spider mounts can turn the tide in combat.
Obsidian plans to delay zipline access until later in the game. However, the bug mount system gives players another way to travel through the large map right from the start. This approach helps balance early-game mobility with late-game upgrades.
Grounded 2 Promises More Bugs, More Variety, and New Critters
Obsidian showcased many insect types during the Grounded 2 reveal. Players can expect to encounter cockroaches, scorpions, caterpillars, and even a praying mantis. The larger park setting also allows for a wider range of insect designs and enemy types.
One insect group fans are hoping to see is the treehopper. Treehoppers appear in different forms, with some shaped like leaves, mushrooms, or strange antenna-covered creatures. These bugs could replace or expand on the aphid companions from the first game. Some treehoppers even produce honeydew, making them a potential new resource.
The new setting could also introduce more non-insect creatures. Players are already asking for flying mounts like bats, though Obsidian has not confirmed any additions beyond bugs. Still, the larger map size and improved bug variety suggest a more diverse survival experience overall.
Grounded 2 Launches in Early Access on July 29
Grounded 2 enters early access on July 29. Obsidian will gather player feedback during the early access phase to improve gameplay features and content. The studio already has a strong record with the original Grounded, which evolved significantly during its early access period.
Obsidian’s decision to make the starter area as large as the first game shows how much the sequel aims to expand the series. Players can expect a mix of familiar systems and brand-new mechanics. The bug mount system, new enemies, and a massive park map promise a deeper and more engaging survival game.
Obsidian has made it clear that Grounded 2 will be bigger, faster, and tougher. With new combat roles, improved AI, and a layered strategy system, players will face more complex threats and more exciting choices.
The park is not a friendly place, but it’s full of strange items, deadly enemies, and thrilling adventures. From a frozen ice cream zone to bug-filled trash heaps, Grounded 2 delivers a chaotic, survival-focused playground where everything can kill you—and you might just ride some of it into battle.
Final Word:
Grounded 2 looks like a huge leap forward for the backyard survival genre. Obsidian’s commitment to larger maps, bug mounts, and strategic combat systems makes this sequel a must-play for fans. With early access just weeks away, players won’t have to wait long to step back into the grass—this time, with a bug army at their side.
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