Grounded 2 Mounts Confirmed – Full Direct Xbox Games Showcase 2025
Grounded 2 has Mounts, x3 Larger Map and Deep Archetypes!
It’s worth noting that the original Grounded was quite a success, achieving 25 million downloads, which is a significant number for a survival game. As someone who appreciates a good, quiet survival experience, the first game offered a unique take on the genre, shrinking players down to the size of an ant and forcing them to contend with the often-overlooked dangers of a typical suburban backyard. The sequel seems to be expanding on that concept quite a bit, and honestly, it’s looking rather promising.
A New (Bigger) Backyard Awaits: Welcome to Brook Hollow Park
The first thing that genuinely stands out about Grounded 2 is the change of scenery. We’re moving from a singular backyard into the much more expansive Brook Hollow Community Park. This isn’t just a slight upgrade; we’re talking about an area that is x3 times the size of the original backyard map. In fact, the video mentioned that the starting area of Grounded 2 alone is the same size as the entire original Grounded map. For those of us who spent countless hours exploring every nook and cranny of the first game, the prospect of a larger, more diverse environment is definitely a draw. Imagine the new discoveries, the new hidden areas – it’s a lot to take in.
The developers have mentioned that this new park setting allows for some truly interesting environmental storytelling. An evacuation event has left the park in a bit of a chaotic state, leading to unique biomes. A prime example, which I find particularly interesting, is a spilled ice cream cart creating a frozen biome . Imagine giant scoops of ice cream melting and freezing across the landscape, forming unique frosty caverns and treacherous slippery paths. These little details, where everyday objects become colossal landmarks, are part of what made the first game so engaging, and it seems Grounded 2 will lean into that even more, making exploration feel genuinely fresh.
Familiar Faces, Two Years On, with a New Partner
Fans of the original will be pleased to know that the same four teenagers – Max, Hoops, Willow, and Pete – are returning, just older. The story picks up two years after the events of the first game, placing us firmly in 1992. It’s good to see that they’re continuing the narrative, and it will be interesting to see how these characters have matured and what new challenges they face. There’s a certain comfort in returning to familiar faces, especially when the world around them has gotten even bigger.
Obsidian isn’t going it alone this time, partnering with Eidos Montreal. This collaboration, as highlighted in the video, seems to stem from a shared appreciation for strong narratives, deep characters, and player choice. Hopefully, this means the story will be as compelling as the exploration and survival aspects.
More Than Just Whack-A-Mole: Evolved Combat and Builds
One of the more intriguing updates is the overhaul of the combat system. Grounded 2 is introducing a “rock paper scissors” style mechanic involving light attacks, heavy attacks, and blocking. This adds a layer of strategy that wasn’t as prominent before. It suggests that encounters will require a bit more thought than just button mashing. Plus, the addition of dashing is new for both offense and defense should make combat feel more dynamic, which is always a welcome change. Even almost all insects will be getting these new abilities too, so prepare for more sophisticated bug encounters.
The developers are also pushing for clearer player archetypes, really leaning into Tanky Warriors, High Damage Rogues, Mages, and ranged hunters with bows. This sounds almost like a mini MMORPG in terms of character roles, which could add a lot of depth to group play. This, combined with the new system for mutations – now including both Passive Mutations and Active Mutations to support these builds – means players can really dig into character building. There is a big focus on builds, which will undoubtedly lead to a lot of experimentation and theory-crafting among players. Naturally, we here at MetaForge.app will be delving deep into these mechanics to bring you comprehensive guides on the best builds and strategies once the game is out.
Buggies: The Mounts of Grounded 2
Perhaps one of the most talked-about additions, and a highly requested feature, is the introduction of mounts – specifically, “buggies”. This is a substantial addition and one that I think will significantly change the gameplay loop. These aren’t just for getting around faster; they’ll have their own moves, special abilities, and even attacks, acting as an extension of the player. The idea that these buggies will impact crafting, combat, and adventuring, and also have their own personality, is quite interestniig. They’re not just vehicles; they’re companions.
For instance, the Red Ant Soldier Buggy can recruit two other Red Ants to support you in combat, which sounds incredibly useful for base defense or clearing out particularly nasty bug nests. Then there’s the Orb Weaver Buggy, which comes with a Web Attack, the ability to Climb up Webs, and can even create a Web Bridge, offering new traversal and strategic options. Plus, the mention of customization for these mounts means we’ll likely be able to personalize them to our liking, which is a nice touch. Travel in the first Grounded could sometimes feel a bit slow, so the addition of these specialized mounts is a definite plus for traversal and opens up new strategic options in a big way.
Back to Basics: Game Preview
Grounded 2 will be returning to a game preview model, which means the developers will once again be building the game with community feedback. This approach worked well for the first game, allowing for improvements and new content based on what players actually wanted. It’s a sensible decision, as it ensures the game evolves in a direction that resonates with its player base. They plan for larger, more complete updates, with a public roadmap to keep everyone informed.
The Mystery Continues
The story starts with an explosion at Brook Hollow Park during a ceremony, setting the stage for a new mystery. The developers seem keen on encouraging community clue-finding and theory-crafting, which can be a lot of fun for those who enjoy piecing together lore.
Overall, Grounded 2 seems to be taking the core elements that made the first game enjoyable and expanding upon them in meaningful ways. The much larger world, deeper combat, the significant addition of mounts, and the continued focus on player choice all point towards a more robust and engaging survival experience. We’re certainly looking forward to diving in and bringing you all the guides and insights you’ll need right here on MetaForge.app.