The Xbox console has built up a strong lineup of open-world survival-crafting games over the years, but few have taken the genre in quite as strange a direction as the tiny-world adventure explored in Grounded and Grounded 2, and fans can now access the latter on PS5. Not only are these the most recognizable survival games on Xbox, but they are a testament to the benefits of Early Access development.
The original Grounded stood out by shrinking down the Player Character and giving them a unique situation for its open-world survival-crafting gameplay loop. Instead of walking around the woods or exploring a general basin, players found themselves trying to survive in their own backyard. When Grounded 2 was first announced and it was clear how developer Obsidian Entertainment was expanding on everything, it quickly became a highly anticipated game—one that has, prior to August 11, been locked to PC and Xbox Series X/S.
Grounded 2 is Out on PS5 Right Now, Features Crossplay
Open-world survival-crafting game Grounded 2 is officially out now on PS5, with the sequel still being in Early Access, but the experience being widely available to console players now. As such, it’s worth mentioning that Grounded 2 is confirmed to feature cross-play, meaning new PS5 players can play with their friends on Xbox (and vice versa). Launching alongside the PS5 version is Grounded 2‘s Into the Abyss update, the newest major content update and the biggest to-date (to celebrate the new launch of course). This update finally opens the pond in Brookhollow Park, allowing players to explore areas both above and below the water while discovering new locations, progression paths, and dangers.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
The Mountains, Bayou, and underwater depths all offer new secrets to discover, while diving suits allow players to stay submerged longer and reach sections that were previously inaccessible. Of course, there is more to the pond than simply swimming around and hoping nothing eats the players. Familiar Grounded creatures like koi fish and diving bell spiders return, while new threats are waiting beneath the surface. The update also introduces the Toe-biter, a new amphibious Buggy that can travel across both land and water, giving players a new way to navigate the pond and get out of trouble when something inevitably starts chasing them.
Grounded 2 is still being developed alongside its community, meaning the PS5 launch is just another milestone instead of the end of the road. Brookhollow Park will continue expanding with new areas, creatures, systems, and surprises, but Into the Abyss gives new and returning players a particularly big reason to jump in today. The backyard has gotten considerably larger, and for the first time, there is an entire pond waiting underneath the surface.
The new content still reflects GameRant’s Early Access review of Grounded 2: “Grounded 2 is bigger, prettier, and smoother to play, with improvements across the board that all tangibly add to the experience. If Obsidian Entertainment stays the course, it’s difficult to imagine a world where Grounded 2 isn’t considered a successful sequel.”
- Released
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July 29, 2025
- ESRB
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Teen / Violence, Blood
- Publisher(s)
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Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 5
