Here’s exactly when you can play Grounded 2 — Xbox announced launch times for its release date, and the Game Pass survival game is coming in hot

by

Obsidian Entertainment had an impressive lineup for 2025 with February’s fantasy RPG Pillars of Eternity: Avowed and October’s The Outer Worlds 2, but they surprised everyone by announcing a third game this year during the Xbox Games Showcase last month.

The title in question is a follow-up, unexpectedly, to the 2020 blockbuster open-world survival game from the studio, titled Grounded 2. In this sequel, you find yourself miniaturized and wearing tiny shoes, playing as teenagers reduced to insect size. This game is expected to be one of the most significant Xbox and Windows PC releases of the year, with its Early Access launch just around the corner. Recent updates have revealed the exact date for its release.

It’s been officially announced that Grounded 2 will launch on July 29 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) or 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), which is simultaneous worldwide. Keep in mind that regions ahead of the US, such as Europe, Asia, and Australia, will access it later on July 29 due to time differences, with some areas not getting it until July 30 morning.

The image below provides exact release times for Grounded 2 across different time zones. For those who find tables more convenient, I’ve prepared one beneath the graphic as well.

Time zone Launch time
PDT July 29, 10:00 a.m.
CST July 29, 11:00 a.m.
EDT July 29, 1:00 p.m.
BRT July 29, 2:00 p.m.
BST July 29, 6:00 p.m.
CEST July 29, 7:00 p.m.
KST July 30, 2:00 a.m.
JST July 30, 2:00 a.m.
AEST July 30, 3:00 a.m.
NZST July 30, 5:00 a.m.

Similar to its predecessor Grounded, Grounded 2 revolves around a concept reminiscent of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!” and is planned for play on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox PC app, as well as Steam – with Xbox Game Pass accessibility on the first two platforms and Xbox Play Anywhere ensuring seamless progression across them.

The upcoming sequel may initially be released in Early Access/Game Preview, but it promises to deliver a richer and more comprehensive experience upon full release compared to the final version of the original survival game. For instance, players can expect an expanded range of crafting options for gear and bases, as well as enhanced RPG-style character progression.

As an observer, I am thrilled to share that enthusiasts can anticipate delving into a grand scale Brookhollow Park map during Early Access, which will initially be equivalent in size to the first game’s Backyard. Excitingly, future updates are planned to significantly enlarge it. Additionally, new insects to battle and engage with are being developed, and there are tantalizing whispers of a more profound narrative unfolding as well.

One notable innovation in Grounded 2 could be the introduction of rideable bugs, termed “Buggy” mounts. These tamed insects allow for quicker navigation, aiding in supply transportation, and serving as valuable companions in battle. Initially, players can transform ants and orb weaver spiders into these Buggy creatures. However, Obsidian has hinted at the possibility of recruiting additional arthropods in the future.

Next week, I’ll see Grounded 2 priced at $29.99 on Xbox and its PC counterparts. It’s important to keep in mind that once it graduates from Early Access, there’s a strong likelihood that its price will increase, similar to the first game which bumped up to $39.99 post-Early Access.

Apart from the regular version, there’ll be a special Founder’s Edition available for purchase at $39.99. This edition comes packed with in-game items like skins, emotes, a digital artbook, and soundtrack, as well as other exclusive benefits. Additionally, there’s a Founder’s Pack priced at $9.99 that can enhance the standard version or Game Pass player’s game experience by providing the same additional perks.

It’s worth mentioning that with a $19.99/month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can play games on Xbox, PC, and via Xbox Cloud Gaming. On the PC, you can also opt for the $11.99/month PC Game Pass. However, the $14.99/month Xbox Game Pass Standard, which is tailored for consoles, will not provide access to Grounded 2 at launch as it does not include new first-party Xbox games immediately upon release.

It’s unfortunate, but there’s some good news: You don’t need to pay the full price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to play Obsidian’s new sequel. Instead, you can typically find great deals on the service subscription time. At the moment, the best deal is one-month memberships priced at only $10.19 from CDKeys.

Read More

2025-07-25 00:39