I love how Grounded 2 gets rid of tired survival game tools — it makes the game better, not easier

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It’s now possible to dive into Grounded 2’s early access phase, a title I’ve been immersed in for numerous hours already. As a sequel to my top-ranked survival game ever, it boasts larger dimensions and bolder ambitions, introducing some intriguing modifications to the established formula.

One significant change is swapping out conventional tools like an axe, hammer, or shovel for gathering resources. Instead, these are replaced by a versatile device called the Omni-Tool, which transforms to suit different tasks.

As a die-hard fan of survival games, I might ruffle some feathers with this viewpoint, but after countless hours immersed in Grounded 2, I firmly believe that Obsidian Entertainment nailed it – here are my top three reasons:

1. Streamlined crafting system: The revamped crafting system simplifies the process without compromising on depth or creativity, allowing players to focus more on the core gameplay and less on tedious resource management.

2. Improved UI and controls: A user-friendly interface and refined control scheme make Grounded 2 more accessible for newcomers while still providing a challenging experience for seasoned survivalists like me.

3. Enhanced immersion through environmental storytelling: By weaving an engrossing narrative into the game’s beautifully designed world, Obsidian Entertainment invites players to explore and uncover secrets that enrich the overall experience without relying on traditional cutscenes or dialogue-heavy interactions.

Tying gameplay progression to story progression

In the original version of Grounded, players were required to create and manage several tools for gathering resources essential for advancing in the game. However, in Grounded 2, an all-in-one tool called the Omni-Tool has been introduced. During the opening tutorial, you’ll be equipped with one.

In simpler terms, Grounded 2 offers a more streamlined onboarding process for novice players with straightforward instructions, and the Omni-Tool serves to enhance the overall gaming experience. Essentially, as you advance in Grounded 2, your gameplay progress mirrors the unfolding of the storyline.

The Omni-Tool and story guide each other in Grounded 2.

Instead of creating unique tools for every fresh resource you come across, focus on enhancing your Omni-Tool to tackle the current obstacle. This doesn’t change the fact that you’ll still need to traverse the Park in search of scarce and precious resources to craft these enhancements. However, the blueprints for these upgrades are found by progressing through the storyline.

The methodology varies subtly yet significantly, and its significance is likely to grow considerably as we progress into Grounded 2, considering the anticipated expansion in size compared to its predecessor.

Removing the tedium of managing countless tools

The survival genre purists might grumble that it makes the game less challenging, but I think it just reduces monotony rather than simplicity. Grounded 2 still necessitates exploration, prudent resource management, and developing skills to face progressively fearsome enemies in order to discover new items.

Now, you no longer have to personally create, maintain, and enhance separate tools for tasks like chopping, breaking, digging, or fixing. Moreover, unlike traditional tools that require an inventory space, the Omni-Tool is always at your disposal, appearing only when needed without occupying any of your inventory slots.

Boredom doesn’t necessarily mean challenge, and the Omni-Tool simplifies the experience of Grounded 2, reducing frustration without making it a walk in the park.

The Omni-Tool remains unbreakable, meaning any enhancements you make will be long-lasting, eliminating the possibility of having to replace it due to wear and tear, and sparing you the inconvenience of going on detours to gather repair materials – an experience that is always aggravating.

For simplicity enthusiasts, advancing the Omni-Tool step by step, including gaining access to fresh upgrades and features, is quite an undertaking and offers numerous routes for advancement as you explore Grounded 2.

Creating more space for weapons and combat to shine

In the game Grounded, the boundary between tools and weapons becomes somewhat indistinct due to specific backyard creatures being vulnerable to particular types of damage. Interestingly, these tool-like items are generally less powerful than designated weaponry when compared directly. However, their effectiveness against certain creatures makes them function as weapons in a roundabout way.

In the toughest battles within the game, overlooking its flaws was simply not an option. The issue lies in the fact that tools seldom align perfectly with comprehensive build strategies. However, this has been addressed significantly in Grounded 2, where there’s a clear demarcation between weapons and the Omni-Tool, ensuring a more streamlined gaming experience.

The versatile Omni-Tool expands the variety of available weapon options, allows for greater customization and strategy in battle, and enhances the excitement of combat.

In this game, you’ll find a variety of weapon classes, including the exhilarating dual-wield option, each boasting distinct damage types and specialized abilities. Furthermore, the interactions between weapons, armor, charms, mutations, and other elements have been refined to be more seamless and intuitive.

In Grounded 2, the early-game combat seems more thrilling due to its simplicity, as it doesn’t involve complex status effects or damage types yet. The prospect of what’s to come already has me buzzing, and not having to manage individual tools adds extra freedom for interacting with the game’s combat system.

1) For those who have delved into Grounded 2 for a while, do you share the sentiment that the Omni-Tool represents an improvement over its counterpart from the initial game? If you haven’t had a chance to play yet, Grounded 2 has just entered early access on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass.

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2025-07-29 16:41