Grounded 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Obsidian Entertainment’s hit survival game Grounded, launches today, July 29, 2025, in Early Access on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass. With a bigger map, rideable bug mounts, and a thrilling new story, this Honey, I Shrunk the Kids-inspired adventure promises to be a must-play for U.S. gamers. Whether you’re a fan of the original or a newcomer ready to battle giant bugs, here’s your ultimate guide to Grounded 2’s release, gameplay, and why it’s set to dominate 2025.
What Is Grounded 2?
Grounded 2 is a survival action-adventure game co-developed by Obsidian Entertainment and Eidos-Montréal, published by Xbox Game Studios. Announced at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2025, it builds on the 2020 hit Grounded, where players control teens shrunk to ant size, fighting to survive in a backyard teeming with insects. The sequel moves the action to Brookhollow Park, a sprawling suburban park set in 1992, with a starter area as big as the entire Grounded 1 map. Expect a vibrant, nostalgia-soaked world inspired by A Bug’s Life and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, packed with new challenges and mysteries.
Available in Early Access on Steam and Xbox Game Preview, Grounded 2 launches today for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, with full cross-save support via Xbox Play Anywhere. Priced at $29.99 for the Standard Edition or $39.99 for the Founder’s Edition (with cosmetic skins, emotes, and a digital artbook), it’s also included day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass—a steal for U.S. subscribers.windowscentral.comnews.xbox.com
Grounded 2 Release Details
- Release Date: July 29, 2025 (Early Access/Game Preview)
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam, Xbox PC app), Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Price: $29.99 (Standard), $39.99 (Founder’s Edition), or free with Game Pass Ultimate/PC Game Pass
- Access: No Xbox Game Pass Standard tier access at launch; requires Ultimate or PC Game Pass
- Launch Times: Available now (as of 10:08 AM IST, July 29, 2025, which is 9:38 PM PDT July 28, 2025, in the U.S.)
- Multiplayer: Supports single-player and up to four-player co-op, with cross-platform playwindowscentral.comxbox.com
The Early Access phase, expected to last 1-2 years based on Grounded 1’s timeline, will include about 20% of Brookhollow Park at launch, with updates every 4-5 months shaped by player feedback. Obsidian promises a public roadmap on their Discord and website to keep gamers in the loop.pcgamer.comreddit.com
What’s New in Grounded 2?
Grounded 2 takes everything fans loved about the original—crafting, base-building, and bug battles—and scales it up. Here are the key features U.S. gamers can expect:
- Massive New Map: Brookhollow Park is nearly three times larger than Grounded 1’s backyard, with biomes like snack bars, toppled ice cream carts, and forgotten park edges. The starting zone alone matches the original game’s entire map.ign.comnews.xbox.com
- Buggy Mounts: Ride tameable bugs like Fire Ants and Orb Weaver Spiders, which offer unique abilities (e.g., Fire Ants summon Worker Ants, Spiders stun enemies). These “Buggies” revolutionize traversal and combat, requiring a larger map that Grounded 1’s Xbox One limitations couldn’t handle.ign.comwindowscentral.com
- Omni-Tool: A new all-in-one tool combines hammer, axe, shovel, and wrench, saving inventory space and streamlining survival.ign.comnews.xbox.com
- Combat Upgrades: New mechanics like dodging and smarter enemy AI (e.g., cockroaches can block attacks) add strategy. Class-like archetypes (e.g., Minotaur, Rogue) offer unique abilities to match your playstyle.xbox.comnews.xbox.com
- Expanded Story: Set two years after Grounded 1 in 1992, the teens are shrunk again during a ceremony unveiling a statue for their prior heroics. An explosion (tied to the shady Ominent corporation) leaves them tiny in Brookhollow Park, facing a persistent, unseen threat.pcgamer.comnews.xbox.com
- New Bugs: Battle returning foes (ants, spiders, bees) and newcomers like scorpions, caterpillars, and butterflies, each with unique behaviors.windowscentral.com
- Accessibility: Features like Arachnophobia Safe Mode, colorblind options, and Read to Me narration ensure inclusivity from day one.news.xbox.com
X posts from fans like @GroundedTheGame and @XboxWire show massive excitement, with players praising the new mounts and larger world.
Why Grounded 2 Excites U.S. Gamers
Grounded 1 attracted over 25 million players, with its “Fully Yoked” update earning a 90% positive rating on Steam from 68,224 reviews. U.S. gamers are buzzing for Grounded 2 because:
- Game Pass Value: Free day-one access with Game Pass Ultimate/PC Game Pass (or $10.19/month via deals at CDKeys) makes it a no-brainer for Xbox and PC players.windowscentral.com
- Co-Op Fun: Four-player co-op is perfect for squad-based gaming, a hit among American players who love titles like Sea of Thieves. Reddit users like those on r/GroundedGame are already planning family play sessions.reddit.comreddit.com
- Nostalgia Factor: The 1990s-inspired Brookhollow Park, with brands like Punch-O and Minotaurs & Myrmidons, taps into retro vibes that resonate with U.S. audiences.news.xbox.com
- Early Access Appeal: U.S. gamers, especially survival fans, love shaping games through feedback, as seen with Grounded 1’s 5 million Early Access players in six months.en.wikipedia.org
Tips for Playing Grounded 2
- Start with the Tutorial: Even veterans should play the tutorial to master new mechanics like dodging and the Omni-Tool.ign.com
- Tame a Buggy Early: Ants and spiders speed up exploration and aid in combat—prioritize taming them.windowscentral.com
- Join the Community: Share feedback on Obsidian’s Discord or r/GroundedGame to influence updates.reddit.com
- Grab the Founder’s Edition: For $39.99, you get cosmetic skins (Minotaur, Rogue, etc.) and a digital artbook, perfect for collectors. The free Tools of Yore set is a bonus for all players.news.xbox.com
- Check System Requirements: Optimized for Xbox Series X|S (4K, 60 FPS, HDR), Grounded 2 isn’t on Xbox One, so upgrade if needed.xbox.comreddit.com
What’s Next for Grounded 2?
Obsidian and Eidos-Montréal plan to expand Grounded 2 through Early Access, with updates every 4-5 months adding story, biomes, and bugs. The full release, likely in 2026 or 2027, may hit PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch 2, as Grounded 1 did in 2024. An animated series based on Grounded is also in development, boosting the franchise’s appeal.en.wikipedia.orgign.com
Reddit fans on r/GroundedGame are torn—some can’t wait to dive in, while others plan to wait for the 1.0 release for a complete story. Either way, the community’s hype is real, with posts like “I put in PTO for release day” showing U.S. players’ excitement.reddit.com
Final Thoughts: Shrink Down and Survive!
Grounded 2 is here, and it’s bigger, bolder, and buggier than ever. Launching today, July 29, 2025, in Early Access, this survival adventure offers U.S. gamers a chance to explore Brookhollow Park, ride ant mounts, and uncover Ominent’s secrets—all for $29.99 or free with Game Pass. Whether you’re crafting bases with friends or battling scorpions solo, Grounded 2 is set to be one of 2025’s top Xbox and PC titles.
Ready to jump in? Wishlist Grounded 2 on Steam or Xbox, join the Discord for the roadmap, and share your bug-taming tales on X with #Grounded2. Let us know your plans in the comments—are you riding an ant or building a mega-base first?
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