Grounded is a survival game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and first released in 2020. Set in a suburban backyard, players find themselves shrunken to the size of an ant and must navigate a now vast and dangerous landscape. The game combines elements of adventure, crafting, and survival in a unique environment filled with everyday objects that loom large and insects that become formidable predators.
Players must gather, craft, and build their way to survival, all while uncovering the mystery of why they have been shrunk and how they might return to their normal size. The game’s environment, rich with dew-dropped grass blades and towering garden flora, offers a fresh perspective on the survival genre. The player must manage their hunger, thirst, and health against the backdrop of a beautifully rendered, yet perilously scaled-up world.
Grounded offers both a single-player experience and a multiplayer mode where players can collaborate with friends to build defenses, scavenge supplies, and fend off the now giant bugs that threaten their survival. The game is praised for its innovative concept, engaging gameplay mechanics, and the unique challenges posed by the familiar-turned-foreign landscape of a suburban backyard.