Grounded 2
" Immersive action-adventure survival with expansive world and buggy traversal but severe performance issues "
Grounded 2 Review
Grounded 2 serves as a direct sequel to the original, retaining core survival mechanics like base building, crafting, and bug encounters, while introducing new features such as rideable buggies and the Omni-tool. Players appreciate the game's faithful continuation and improvements in gameplay systems, combat depth, and world design. The addition of buggies notably enhances traversal, and the Omni-tool streamlines resource gathering by consolidating multiple tools into one. The sequel also offers a larger and more visually impressive map with unique enemy designs, promising a richer experience.
However, the game is currently in early access and suffers from significant performance issues including poor optimization, frequent crashes, and stuttering even on high-end PCs. Content is perceived as limited compared to expectations, with many features and enemies from the original missing or gated behind future updates. UI and control schemes have faced criticism for being unintuitive, and combat mechanics like enemy blocking require refinement. Despite these drawbacks, the community acknowledges the developer's dedication and potential for improvement, recommending patience for upcoming patches and content expansions.
Highlights
Players praise the faithful preservation and enhancement of core gameplay mechanics from the original Grounded, including survival elements and base building.
The introduction of buggies is celebrated for making traversal faster and more enjoyable, while the Omni-tool improves inventory management and resource gathering.
Graphically, the game is seen as a significant upgrade with detailed environments and immersive lighting, contributing to a dense and imaginative world.
The storyline and overall content, though currently limited, are regarded as promising with unique enemy designs and a coherent progression plan.
Criticisms
The game's poor optimization results in frequent frame drops, crashes, and stuttering, making it difficult to play smoothly even on powerful hardware.
Many players find the current content lacking, with numerous bugs and features from the original missing or delayed to future updates, leading to a feeling of incompleteness.
UI and control changes, such as the Omni-tool mechanics and inventory management, are criticized for being unintuitive and cumbersome.
Combat mechanics require balancing, particularly regarding enemy blocking behavior and stealth elements.
Multiplayer stability issues and network bugs further detract from the experience.
Pros
- • Faithful continuation and improvement of core survival gameplay mechanics from the first game.
- • Buggies provide fast, fun traversal and enhance the overall movement experience.
- • Omni-tool streamlines resource gathering and frees up inventory space effectively.
- • Visually impressive with detailed, immersive environments and improved lighting.
- • Combat system expanded with new mechanics like charge attacks and dodging.
- • Larger, more coherent map design with unique and distinct enemy types.
- • Base building remains engaging with creative possibilities and new features.
Cons
- • Severe performance issues including crashes, stuttering, and poor optimization.
- • Limited content at launch with many features and enemies missing or delayed.
- • Unintuitive UI and inventory management causing player frustration.
- • Combat can feel repetitive due to excessive enemy blocking and AI quirks.
- • Multiplayer suffers from network bugs, instability, and connection problems.
- • Omni-tool mechanics remove unique tool feel and require holding buttons.
- • Long night cycles and unclear survival cues hamper gameplay flow.
Rating Criteria
Shrunk again, but the world is much larger. In this open-world, single-player or co-op survival adventure, craft weapons and armor, build your base, and traverse the playground on your buggy. But something else is out there—and it hasn’t forgotten you.