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Grounded

Grounded has come out of early access to let players survive a backyard full of creepy crawlies and mysterious science.
Grounded Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
92% User Score Based on 65,944 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 27 reviews

Platforms

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Grounded Game Cover

About

Grounded is a single player and multiplayer survival role playing game. It was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and was released on September 27, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Grounded" is a Role Playing game where players are shrunken to the size of an ant and must survive in a suburban backyard ecosystem. Players can gather, craft, build bases, and battle both peaceful and hostile insects in a 2-4 player co-op or single-player mode. The game offers a unique blend of environmental and narrative-driven storytelling in a handcrafted sandbox world.

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Grounded screenshot
Grounded screenshot
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+14
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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 65,944 reviews
story2.8k positive mentions
stability1.6k negative mentions
  • story
    8,082 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Grounded" is generally described as engaging and whimsical, drawing inspiration from the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" concept. While many players appreciate the intriguing narrative and character interactions, some express disappointment over its brevity, noting that the main storyline can be completed in about 30 minutes to an hour, with additional content promised in future updates. Overall, the game combines survival mechanics with a light-hearted story, making it enjoyable for both solo and cooperative play, though some players feel it lacks depth and direction at this stage.

    • “The game has a great story and variety with its different biomes is perfect.”
    • “The story is engaging and the gameplay is something special, it's very cool being tiny and having this different perspective.”
    • “Grounded has a fully playable story that will have you exploring the backyard in its entirety.”
    • “The only element of the game that didn't click for me, sadly, was the story.”
    • “The story itself is rather easy to get through which could leave some people bored, but the side bosses, puzzles, scavenging, and quests give even the best players a challenge.”
    • “The game itself in terms of story progression is rather simple actually, you open the game, do some general tutorial tasks (craft an axe or drink some water etc) and then you find the mysterious machine and pretty much shit don't work and you should continue on from there until your mission is to go and look for 4 labs and that's where I will end it here.”
  • gameplay
    3,887 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Grounded" has received a mix of praise and criticism, highlighting its engaging mechanics, cooperative play, and unique setting that immerses players in a miniature world. Many players appreciate the blend of crafting, exploration, and survival elements, noting the intuitive building mechanics and the rewarding progression system. However, some have pointed out issues with combat mechanics, balance, and occasional bugs, suggesting that while the game is fun and visually appealing, it still requires further refinement and content expansion to fully realize its potential.

    • “A beautiful game with mechanics out of the ordinary and taking survival games to a new level.”
    • “Amazing survival game with good setting, and awesome gameplay loop.”
    • “The survival mechanics are expertly balanced, offering a rewarding blend of crafting, exploration, and combat.”
    • “The ui is terrible and inefficient and the gameplay is tedious to the point of no longer being fun.”
    • “The worst gameplay aspect was definitely the platforming required to get around in certain areas.”
    • “The gameplay is fast to pick up and master.”
  • graphics
    3,385 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Grounded" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and charming art style, which effectively create an immersive and whimsical environment reminiscent of childhood adventures. Players appreciate the meticulous detail in the game's design, from the vibrant colors to the realistic rendering of insects and foliage, enhancing the overall experience. While some users note performance issues and a lack of extensive graphical options, the game's aesthetic is generally seen as a highlight, making it visually appealing even on lower-end systems.

    • “Grounded is a game that pulls you into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and it does so with an incredibly charming and whimsical art style.”
    • “The game’s visuals are nothing short of stunning—each blade of grass, drop of dew, and buzzing insect is rendered with meticulous detail, creating an environment that feels both enchanting and vast.”
    • “The overall aesthetic of Grounded makes it feel like a love letter to adventure and curiosity, capturing that childhood sense of exploration where every corner of the yard feels like a brand-new world to discover.”
    • “The graphics are definitely not the strongest aspect of the game, but they are good enough to enjoy the beautiful views across the lake.”
    • “But even with poor optimization, the graphics look quite bland.”
    • “The only downside I can think of is that even on the low graphics setting it can be hard to run on some decent hardware so it could use some optimization.”
  • stability
    1,623 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting a significant number of bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer mode. While some users report smooth gameplay and minimal issues, others experience frequent crashes, connection problems, and frustrating glitches that can disrupt the gaming experience. Overall, the game is considered fun and engaging, but its stability issues are a common concern, especially given its early access status.

    • “It's honestly amazing the amount of stuff this game has to throw at you, and the fact that the devs keep it all so consistent quality-wise and bug-free is amazing.”
    • “Cool game and fun; used to crash but due to the amazing work by the development team, it now runs great even on an old $300 laptop.”
    • “The game itself runs great on my 1060 and is stable and smooth.”
    • “Unpolished, buggy and frustrating experience.”
    • “This game is buggy, broken, unfinished.”
    • “The only thing that needs to be fixed is the multiplayer glitches that happen.”
  • grinding
    1,425 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Grounded" has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the satisfying progression and find the resource gathering and crafting enjoyable, others criticize it for becoming excessively tedious, especially in the late game where the need for materials and upgrades can feel overwhelming. Overall, the game is described as fun and engaging, particularly in multiplayer, but players should be prepared for significant grinding, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “Progression is also nice, not too grindy or lengthy, and difficulty on medium felt just right; playing with friends makes the experience even better.”
    • “So much content, so much exploration, not grindy, not needlessly realistic, really fair in every aspect of the game.”
    • “This game is literally a masterpiece in my greatest opinion, it's not too grindy unless you're going for something very specific, the game's length is practically modifiable if you know what you're doing, as the main questline for the story is quite short, but you can drastically expand that length with how much content is smattered about.”
    • “The game is very grindy, which isn't a horrible thing honestly.”
    • “The grinding gets annoying fast, especially when you can't find the bug or item your looking for.”
    • “It's a strange mix of hostile, half-assed and tedious that I cannot in good conscience recommend anyone play, even on sale.”
  • humor
    636 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Grounded" is a standout feature, blending whimsical charm with darkly comedic elements, often reminiscent of the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" premise. Players appreciate the game's quirky dialogue, funny character interactions, and the hilarity that ensues during multiplayer sessions, especially when facing off against oversized insects. While some find the humor to be cheesy or inconsistent, many agree that the game's lighthearted moments and amusing glitches contribute to an overall entertaining experience.

    • “Amazing game with a lot of exploration, secrets and funny voice lines.”
    • “The story is a bit simple, but that's because it leans into the style of 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!', being more goofy than serious most of the time, complete with made-up science jargon and funny evil scientists, though it can be dark when it wants to be.”
    • “Whether it’s the quirky characters, the ridiculous yet hilarious story, or the playful yet occasionally terrifying sandbox experience, Grounded offers a memorable journey that’s both challenging and enjoyable.”
    • “This game has been made so difficult for new players it's not funny.”
    • “Every time you eat or hold the torch, they say an unfunny one-liner that makes me want to gouge my eyes out with forks.”
    • “You're not funny!”
  • music
    448 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received a largely positive reception, with many players praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack is described as dynamic and fitting, often evoking nostalgia with its 80s and 90s influences, while also effectively setting the mood during gameplay. However, some users noted that certain tracks can be forgettable or repetitive, suggesting a desire for more variety in the music selection.

    • “The ambient sounds of rustling leaves and buzzing insects, combined with an atmospheric soundtrack, create an engrossing auditory experience that pulls you right into this miniature world.”
    • “The game's soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment, seamlessly blending ambient sounds and emotive music that enhance the experience, making it one of the most memorable gaming soundscapes in recent years.”
    • “The music is incredibly fun and sets every scene as you are constantly stumbling into some new horror/wonder.”
    • “The music is bland, and although I love electronic/synth music, this is just not it.”
    • “Music - the core music isn't much special; however, the sound effects are spot on and are very satisfying.”
    • “But please, the music, the start of playback is boring, it makes me frustrated.”
  • optimization
    432 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and graphics, while others report significant stuttering, crashes, and poor performance on various hardware setups. Many users highlight ongoing bugs and multiplayer issues, suggesting that the game is still in need of further optimization, particularly for lower-end systems. Overall, while some players find it well-optimized, others experience frustrating performance problems that detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “Performance-wise, grounded is as visually stunning as it is smooth, with no notable issues that I have encountered.”
    • “Now that the game has been fully released, it is probably one of (if not the) most optimized games I have ever played.”
    • “The graphics and immersion in this game are amazing, and actually well programmed/optimized!”
    • “Game had a lot of stuttering and crashed within 15 minutes.”
    • “Horrible optimization, rdr2 runs better than this.”
    • “This game is poorly optimized in its current state, I will be keeping an eye out and hoping for updates but doing a little research it seems the problem has been going on for at least 8 months continuously.”
  • atmosphere
    428 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, reminiscent of the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" aesthetic, enhanced by vibrant graphics, engaging sound design, and a captivating environment. Players appreciate the blend of adventure and tension, with ambient sounds and atmospheric music contributing to a sense of wonder and exploration. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest features, making it a standout in the survival genre.

    • “The ambient sounds of rustling leaves and buzzing insects, combined with an atmospheric soundtrack, create an engrossing auditory experience that pulls you right into this miniature world.”
    • “The atmosphere, the soundtrack, the setting, and the small but captivating story make it so special for me.”
    • “The atmosphere is soothing and relaxing, as long as spiders aren't trying to eat your bum.”
    • “All in all, a game that aimed admirably high, looks very nice, but falls flat on most every aspect of its gameplay and also fails to make the most of its promising premise and potential for atmosphere.”
    • “I had to stop playing at first because the wolf spider kept scaring the daylights out of me but after a few days of thinking I realized that no other game has ever provided me with a calming atmosphere, a genuine desire to explore and discover, building mechanics that inspire thought and add to the design language, and the eerie presence of a looming threat that could give a genuine challenge at any point.”
    • “The atmosphere holds tension, especially when in uncharted areas.”
  • replayability
    234 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting the abundance of content, varied gameplay styles, and the addition of new game modes like New Game Plus. While some reviews mention limitations due to a fixed map and certain gameplay mechanics, the majority highlight the fun and engaging nature of the game, especially in multiplayer settings. Continuous updates and new features further enhance its replay value, making it a worthwhile investment for players seeking longevity in their gaming experience.

    • “This is a great game; the replayability of it adds to a desire to want to play it again and again.”
    • “The latest update adds so much replayability that it would take hundreds of hours to experience everything this game has to offer.”
    • “What really sets this game apart is its incredible replayability.”
    • “The game has essentially zero replayability, and the map is constant - never-changing.”
    • “Great game but needs more; not enough replayability after beating it the first time.”
    • “Replayability is not that high though, as once you learn where things are it doesn't change from game to game.”
  • emotional
    120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of wholesome fun and moments of heartbreak, as players often find themselves deeply immersed in the game's charming environment and narrative. Many reviews highlight the emotional connections formed through gameplay, with experiences ranging from joy and nostalgia to fear and sadness, particularly when facing challenges like losing hard-earned progress or encountering frightening creatures. Overall, the game successfully evokes a wide spectrum of emotions, making it a memorable experience for players.

    • “But to see your base that you've been working on for weeks just get destroyed in about 5 minutes is really heartbreaking.”
    • “The graphics are so gorgeous, you'll find yourself getting emotionally attached to a blade of grass.”
    • “For my 8-year-old, who desperately wants to be able to play this game with dad, it is heartbreaking.”
    • “While the game can be fun at times, bugs, horrible combat, and a boring story make it hard to reach those heights often.”
    • “Great combat, boring story & progression.”
  • monetization
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it as a cash grab due to its early access state and lack of content. While some users appreciate the absence of microtransactions and paid DLC, others express concern that the game feels unfinished and exploitative, particularly in light of its pricing and advertising discrepancies. Overall, there is a sentiment that the game stands out for not trying to nickel-and-dime players, but skepticism remains regarding its long-term monetization strategy.

    • “The world is hand crafted and not a random hodgepodge mess based on a seed, it has a light story that keeps you moving along, great combat with a surprisingly good parry system, fun crafting/base building and never tried to nickel and dime us through microtransactions.”
    • “And so far, no shilling for money from the game through microtransactions as well.”
    • “Edit: there are several analyzers all over the map and the wait times are based on in-game time (they take very little time) so I have to take back my comment on thinking that microtransactions will be implemented eventually.”
    • “Just another cash grab survival game.”
    • “This game is the biggest cash grab/scam since Ouya; no reason why a game this unfinished and this poorly made should be worth $30 just for you to be working as an unpaid beta tester.”
    • “The concept of early access has become a fierce cash grab and enables developers to produce minimal content on their own terms, usually very slowly while they harvest money from the hopeful expectations of players.”
  • character development
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by well-rounded personalities of the four main characters, enhanced through engaging voice lines and immersive gameplay elements like armor and mutations. The vibrant art style and charming character designs contribute to an appealing aesthetic, while the diverse environments and creature designs create a unique exploration experience, balancing cuteness with moments of tension. However, some critiques mention instances of problematic character design, indicating a need for more sensitivity in representation.

    • “The adorable character designs and the scaled-down world contribute to an overall cute aesthetic that puts a smile on your face.”
    • “- Character development: the four main characters are pleasant and their personalities feel well-rounded through their voice lines.”
    • “+ Immersive character development through armor and mutations.”
    • “Many games try to shock and disturb with grotesque character designs, and while I appreciate and respect their efforts, the experience of wandering innocently around a small rock and coming face to face with a spider the size of a truck (relative to you) is a unique and fresh hell. There are accessibility settings to adjust for that if you have some relevant phobia.”
    • “The environments are gorgeous, but don't be fooled by the cute character designs as this game will make you scream, especially if you aren't good with spiders. The creature designs are sometimes a little too good, especially when it comes to the wolf spiders; they really make me uneasy, but yet I still refuse to play in the arachnophobia mode.”
    • “Racist character design.”
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78%Critics’ scoreBased on 27 critic reviews
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35h Median play time
90h Average play time
28h Main story
93h Completionist
9-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 428 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Grounded is a survival role playing game.

Grounded is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

The main story can be completed in around 28 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 93 hours to finish. On average players spend around 90 hours playing Grounded.

Grounded was released on September 27, 2022.

Grounded was developed by Obsidian Entertainment.

Grounded has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Grounded is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Smalland: Survive the Wilds, Enshrouded, ICARUS, V Rising, Core Keeper and others.