Obsidian Entertainment’s backyard survival series is returning with Grounded 2, which officially enters early access on July 29 via Xbox Game Preview and Steam. The game will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC.

Grounded 2 is a direct sequel to the original 2020 survival title and continues the concept of shrunken-down players navigating oversized environments. This time, the backyard setting expands to include new biomes, tools, and traversal systems designed to evolve the game’s core mechanics without losing the tone and scale that defined the first entry. The sequel introduces a deeper crafting and base-building system, new insect companions that players can ride, and additional hazards including weather effects and dynamic enemy AI. Multiplayer co-op returns with full crossplay support across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.

Obsidian has stated that the game will follow a similar development roadmap to the first Grounded, launching first in early access with regular content updates as systems are refined and the story expands. The team emphasized player feedback as a key driver during development and confirmed that the new early access version will launch with more content than the original game had at its initial release.

In a statement posted to Xbox Wire, Obsidian said:

We learned a lot from the community during the development of the first Grounded. With Grounded 2, we wanted to build on what worked, push the scale and ambition further, and bring the community with us again from the start.

The original Grounded quietly became a success story for Obsidian, building a dedicated following through early access updates and word-of-mouth appeal. The studio has leaned into that model once again, aiming to maintain transparency while growing the game over time.

No full release date has been confirmed yet for Grounded 2, but Obsidian has said it plans to remain in early access “for at least a year.” Players who join now will be able to explore the game’s first major zones, experiment with new traversal gear, and begin building out their backyard bases with expanded customization options. Grounded 2 is retailing at $39.99 USD during early access. Game Pass subscribers will have access to the game at no additional cost starting July 29.