Grounded

What it is

Grounded is a multiplayer survival adventure from Obsidian Entertainment, set in a backyard where the players have been shrunk to the size of ants. You can explore, build and survive alone or online with up to three friends while uncovering how the characters became small and how they might return home. Shared Worlds lets players continue a shared game even when its original host is away, with progression saved. The yard includes places such as a pond, termite den and sandbox, where giant insects pose threats. Players can attract creatures with MIX.R devices, but interfering with them can bring them to a base. Character customization includes Mutations and Milk Molars, alongside crafting and upgrades for armor and weapons. Steam features include co-op, online co-op, controller support, Steam Cloud and Family Sharing. It was released in 2022 for Windows, with Xbox Series X and Series S also listed as platforms.

What players like, and what they don't

Who it suits

It suits solo players and small groups who want to explore, build and survive in a shared backyard world. Shared Worlds are useful for friends who want to continue playing when the original host is offline.

Grounded combines backyard exploration and survival with a story and shared-world co-op. Its creature threats can reach player bases, making preparation part of the experience.