Grounded: A Backyard Battle for Survival Against Gigantic Insects!

Imagine shrinking down to the size of an ant and finding yourself thrust into a backyard teeming with monstrous insects. That’s the premise of Grounded, Obsidian Entertainment’s captivating survival adventure that throws you into a world where blades of grass tower like skyscrapers and ladybugs become fearsome predators. Released in September 2020 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Microsoft Windows and Steam, this unique title blends exploration, crafting, base-building, and intense combat against oversized insects to create a truly unforgettable experience.

The game’s narrative centers around four teenagers - Max, Willow, Pete, and Adi - who stumble upon a strange shrinking ray during their summer break. Their playful experiment goes awry, miniaturizing them to the size of ants in their own backyard. Now stranded in this unfamiliar and dangerous world, they must learn to survive by scavenging resources, crafting tools and weapons, building shelter, and fighting off hordes of oversized insects like spiders, ants, and even wasps.

Grounded’s gameplay loop revolves around exploration, resource gathering, crafting, and combat. As you explore the backyard environment, you’ll encounter various biomes, each with its own unique flora and fauna. From the lush green meadows to the shadowy depths beneath the deck, there are plenty of hidden secrets and challenges to discover.

Resource gathering plays a crucial role in your survival. You’ll need to collect materials like grass stalks, pebbles, sap, and even insect parts to craft essential tools and weapons.

Crafting in Grounded is a complex yet rewarding system. You’ll need to unlock new blueprints by progressing through the game, allowing you to create increasingly sophisticated tools, weapons, and structures.

From simple stone axes and spears to powerful bows and swords forged from insect mandibles, the possibilities are endless. Building a safe base is vital for protecting yourself from nocturnal predators and storing your hard-earned resources.

The combat in Grounded is both challenging and exhilarating. You’ll need to learn the attack patterns of various insects and utilize your environment to your advantage. For example, setting traps using twigs and spider silk can help weaken enemies before engaging them directly.

Grounded’s visual aesthetic strikes a remarkable balance between realism and stylization. The world is rendered in vibrant detail, with each blade of grass, insect, and flower meticulously designed.

The soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, creating a sense of wonder and tension as you explore the backyard’s diverse environments.

One of Grounded’s greatest strengths lies in its multiplayer mode. Teaming up with friends allows for collaborative exploration, base-building, and insect hunting, adding a whole new dimension to the gameplay experience.

What Makes Grounded Stand Out?

Several factors contribute to Grounded’s unique appeal:

• Innovative Premise: The shrinking-down-to-insect-size concept is fresh and imaginative, offering a novel perspective on survival gameplay.
• Engaging Exploration:

The backyard environment is packed with hidden secrets, diverse biomes, and challenging encounters, encouraging exploration and discovery.

• Intricate Crafting System:

Crafting plays a central role in Grounded, allowing players to unlock new blueprints, create powerful tools and weapons, and customize their gameplay experience.

• Thrilling Combat Encounters: Battles against oversized insects are intense and demanding, requiring strategic thinking and skillful execution.
• Strong Multiplayer Experience: Teaming up with friends adds a social dimension to the game, making it even more fun and engaging.

Grounded is a testament to Obsidian Entertainment’s creativity and expertise in crafting immersive survival experiences. Its blend of captivating storytelling, innovative gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and engaging multiplayer makes it a must-play for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a fresh and exciting adventure.

So, shrink down, explore the backyard, and prepare to battle your way through a world where every blade of grass is a towering giant!