Xbox and Obsidian unveil the Early Access roadmap for Grounded 2, detailing when the Game Pass sequel will incorporate fresh content and linguistic enhancements
Get ready for an exciting journey in the world of insects, as Obsidian Entertainment's highly anticipated sequel, Grounded 2, is now available in Early Access on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Steam. The game can be purchased for $29.99, with a special Founder's Edition priced at $39.99, which includes the Minotaurs, Myrmidons, and Mants pack.
Grounded 2 is one of three 2025 releases from Obsidian Entertainment, joining Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2. Zachary Boddy, a critic, has asserted that Grounded 2 is far larger and more ambitious than its predecessor, offering a bigger Brookhollow Park map, new character build options, crafting gear, base construction options, ridable buggy mounts, and more.
The game's roadmap spans from its early access launch in July 2025 through at least summer 2026, with plans extending beyond that into undefined future phases. The developers have indicated that, based on the first Grounded's pattern, the full 1.0 launch of Grounded 2 may not happen until roughly 2027.
Key Updates
Fall 2025 Update
The Fall 2025 update will feature a new major boss named AXL, believed to be a venomous tarantula. An arena dedicated to AXL will also be introduced, along with new recipes, armor, weapons, and furniture. Additional quality-of-life improvements and gameplay enhancements are also planned.
Winter 2025 Update
The Winter 2025 update will bring Steam Deck verification to improve performance and compatibility. New equipment and furniture, including the introduction of crickets and earwigs as new bugs, new varieties of existing insects, and the ladybug buggy for transportation, are also part of this update.
2026 Updates
Ongoing updates in 2026 will include multiple acts/story expansions, the addition of unique biomes and new areas in the world called Brookhollow Park, revamped features from the original Grounded game, more weapons, armor sets, and base-building options, and the promised inclusion of various other features yet to have exact dates.
Post-2026
Beyond 2026, additional features and further content beyond one year of updates are promised.
Playing Grounded 2
If you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, it's recommended to use it to play Grounded 2, as it eliminates the risk of buying a game that doesn't run well on your rig. A month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is available for just $10.19 at CDKeys.
Critics have given Grounded 2 strong praise in Early Access reviews, but it's important to note that the game has received criticism for issues like poor optimization and performance. Issues like these are precisely what Early Access helps developers fix before launching titles in full.
In conclusion, Grounded 2 offers an expansive, ambitious open-world survival game experience, with a focus on growth, deepening the story, and expanding gameplay options across its early access lifespan. With its unique blend of survival, crafting, and exploration, Grounded 2 is a must-play for fans of the genre.
- Microsoft's Windows platform will host Grounded 2, joining its release on Xbox Series X, Xbox PC, and Steam.
- Exciting updates await players of Grounded 2 in the future, such as the Fall 2025 update introducing a new boss and new items, or the Winter 2025 update bringing Steam Deck verification and new bugs.
- Players with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass can enjoy Grounded 2 with the added benefit of avoiding potential hardware compatibility issues.
- Ongoing technology advancements and updates will be applied to Grounded 2 beyond 2026, continually enhancing the gameplay experience.
