Obsidian Announces Grounded 2: A Bigger Backyard Adventure Hits Early Access in July 2025

On June 8, 2025, Obsidian Entertainment unveiled *Grounded 2*, a sequel to its beloved survival game, at the Xbox Games Showcase, as reported by IGN and PC Gamer. Set to launch in Xbox Game Preview and Steam Early Access on July 29, 2025, for Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PlayStation 5, the game promises an expanded park setting and new gameplay features. Posts on X and coverage from Eurogamer highlight the community’s excitement and surprise at the rapid release. Here’s a detailed look at *Grounded 2*, its features, and its place in Obsidian’s prolific 2025 lineup.

Details of Grounded 2

*Grounded 2* builds on the original’s *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*-inspired survival formula, where players are an inch tall, battling bugs and crafting to survive. Key features include:

• New Setting: The action moves from a backyard to a park, featuring diverse biomes and wildlife like caterpillars, scorpions, praying mantises, and spiders, including one using its web as a shield. The expanded playspace offers richer exploration. web:1 web:3
• Gameplay Enhancements: New weapons, building tools, and deeper crafting systems are introduced. The reveal trailer hints at mounts and mounted combat, adding dynamic survival mechanics for up to four-player co-op. web:7 post:3
• Early Access Launch: Launching July 29, 2025, in Xbox Game Preview and Steam Early Access, *Grounded 2* will evolve with player feedback, similar to the original’s 2020-2022 development. It’s available day one on Xbox Game Pass. web:2 web:5 post:1
• Multiplatform Release: Unlike the original’s initial Xbox exclusivity, *Grounded 2* launches on PS5 alongside Xbox and PC, reflecting Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy, though Nintendo Switch is unconfirmed for now. web:6 web:7

Community Reaction: Shock and Enthusiasm

The announcement stunned fans, given the short wait until launch. X users expressed awe at Obsidian’s output, with one stating, “Three games in 2025? Obsidian’s on fire!” post:0 Reddit and X posts praise the park setting, with a user noting, “Mounted combat sounds wild for a survival game!” post:4 However, arachnophobes voiced concerns about new spider variants, with one joking, “Spiders with shields? I’m out!” web:3 Some question the early access model, fearing bugs, but others trust Obsidian’s track record. post:2

Context and Obsidian’s 2025 Dominance

The original *Grounded*, launched in 2020, attracted over 15 million players by 2022, thanks to Game Pass and a 2024 multiplatform release. web:6 Developed by a small team, its success led to *Grounded 2*, Obsidian’s third 2025 title after *Avowed* (February) and *The Outer Worlds 2* (October). web:2 web:12 This prolific output follows Obsidian’s 2018 acquisition by Microsoft, enabling multiple projects, though some, like an unannounced title, remain in early stages. web:18 The sequel’s early access approach mirrors *Grounded*’s iterative development, ensuring community-driven polish.

Implications for Survival Gaming

*Grounded 2* could redefine co-op survival with its expanded scope and innovative mechanics like mounts, competing with titles like *Subnautica 2*. web:1 Its PS5 launch broadens its audience, but the early access model risks initial instability. Obsidian’s busy year positions it as a leading RPG and survival studio, potentially overshadowing competitors if *Grounded 2* delivers. However, balancing three major releases may strain resources, a concern raised on X. post:6

What’s Next?

With *Grounded 2* launching in July 2025, fans anticipate hands-on previews and developer streams detailing the park’s biomes and crafting. Obsidian’s Gamescom presence may offer more, alongside updates on *The Outer Worlds 2*. For now, the community eagerly awaits shrinking down to face new creepy crawlies.

Disclaimer: Some details are based on early access announcements and may evolve as development progresses.