At the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, the prestigious Most Valuable Player award will be bestowed upon just one developer – undoubtedly, Obsidian Entertainment.
Earlier this year, Obsidian Entertainment unveiled Avowed, a game I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing, and we’ve been eagerly anticipating The Outer Worlds 2 since learning that it would be released in the latter half of 2025. It was one of the main highlights during the Xbox Games Showcase.
I didn’t anticipate witnessing the sequel to one of the least recognized first-party Xbox games, and one of my top survival game picks ever. Indeed, Grounded 2 has been confirmed, and I must admit, I’m quite taken aback by this news.
Enough time has passed, but Grounded still feels new
For those new to this, Grounded is a scaled-down endeavor from Obsidian Entertainment, primarily driven by its community. The concept is straightforward: due to some unusual scientific occurrence, you and your companions have been diminished to ant-sized creatures. Now, it’s a matter of life and death as you navigate the hazards of a once familiar backyard that has become a treacherous playground.
I had a chance to evaluate the complete launch of Grounded towards the end of 2022, so it’s been ample time for Obsidian to start brainstorming a sequel. However, before its debut on PlayStation and Switch, Grounded underwent almost two years of frequent post-release updates and eventually added substantial content.
Approximately a year has passed since the initial release of Grounded across multiple platforms, and it’s now been confirmed that a sequel, titled Grounded 2, is not only in development but is also set to arrive sooner than we might expect. Grounded 2 will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC via Xbox and Steam, as well as Xbox Game Pass. The anticipated release date for
Absolutely! In the same vein as before, Grounded 2 will flourish based on player input. However, Obsidian Entertainment aims to enhance the sequel in all imaginable aspects, leveraging the insights gained from the original game.
We’ll still be smol, but Grounded 2 will be bigger
In the sequel, titled Grounded 2, the story unfolds two years following the initial game’s events, with the same primary characters taking center stage. However, unlike the confined safety of the first game’s backyard setting, this installment is set in a colossal and perilous community park that dwarfs its predecessor in size and danger.
Building upon insights gained from the initial Grounded, a thoughtful strategy for an early release phase, and collaboration with the esteemed Eidos-Montréal studio, Grounded 2 is poised to exceed its predecessor in scope and ambition.
In this new version, maps span a greater area with a wider range and denser assortment of biomes. The battle system has been significantly upgraded, offering a more intricate and interactive experience. The ecosystem boasts an even richer variety and responsiveness. New creatures, such as formidable scorpions, await discovery. Additionally, players will have the opportunity to domesticate various species to serve as mounts or transportation, and there are many other exciting features to explore. In essence, we’re stepping into a world that presents higher stakes than ever before.
Not only will we start off with what we have now, but Obsidian plans to consistently roll out meatier content updates frequently. From the get-go, they will share a transparent public roadmap to keep players informed about future developments.
Based on what I’ve observed about Grounded 2 and Obsidian’s approach to its development, I am incredibly hopeful that this game will stand out as one of the top titles of the year once it hits version 1.0.
Which makes it all the more surprising how much Grounded 2 will cost.
Better than ever, but not more expensive
Here comes the era where most Xbox games cost $80, as big AAA titles now require more effort and resources than ever to reach completion.
Surprisingly, one of the initial Xbox Game Studios titles to bear such a high cost is another game from Obsidian Entertainment, specifically The Outer Worlds 2. Indeed, it will launch at $80, and predictably, reactions to this move are split.
Although Grounded 2 shares the same origin as an Obsidian game, it won’t come anywhere near the high price for entry compared to that. In reality, the price of Grounded 2 will be identical to its predecessor, which was already a great value given the quality and quantity of content it offered.
In Game Preview, Grounded 2 will retail for just $29.99, which is an impressive $50 less than The Outer Worlds 2. Once Grounded 2 transitions out of Game Preview, I anticipate its final price either staying the same as the original game or a moderate increase to around $40.
Absolutely, Grounded 2 will be a day one, permanent inclusion on Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. This means that players can easily access the game. With gaming costs on the rise, from games to hardware, it’s comforting to see a significant release adopt a more budget-friendly pricing strategy.
On July 29, 2025, Grounded 2 will make its debut in early access, and I am thrilled to witness the growth of this intriguing sequel! Are you equally enthusiastic about Grounded 2?
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2025-06-09 23:09