Xbox and Obsidian Reveal Grounded 2 Early Access Roadmap — When to Expect New Updates

Grounded 2: A New Era of Survival Adventure

One of the most anticipated Xbox games of the year has finally arrived with Grounded 2. This is the sequel to Obsidian Entertainment’s popular 2020 open-world survival game, and it marks the second of three 2025 releases from the studio, alongside Avowed and the upcoming The Outer Worlds 2. The game is now available in Early Access or Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, and Steam, with availability on Xbox Game Pass and full support for Xbox Play Anywhere cross-progression. Players can purchase the base game for $29.99, or opt for the $39.99 Minotaurs, Myrmidons, and Mants: Oh My! Founder’s Edition, which includes bonus cosmetics, a digital artbook, and a soundtrack.

Even at launch, Grounded 2 offers a significantly larger experience than its predecessor in its "1.0" state. The game features a massive Brookhollow Park map that already matches the size of the original Backyard at just one-fifth of its scale. There are also numerous new options for character builds, crafting gear, constructing bases, and even riding unique mounts like ant soldiers and orb weaver spiders.

As future patches roll out during the Early Access period, Grounded 2 is expected to grow even more. Shortly after its release, Obsidian shared a roadmap outlining the studio's plans for the next year of development and beyond. Here’s what players can expect:

Upcoming Seasonal Updates

The first major update, scheduled for Fall 2025, will introduce the AXL boss, thought to be a deadly tarantula spider. Alongside this, players will gain access to new gear, furniture, and other items. The update will also include quality-of-life improvements, a building grid to assist with base construction, and pouches for buggy mounts.

The Winter 2025 patch will bring back some revamped systems from the original Grounded, such as Sour damage and the PEEP.R binoculars. It will also add the ladybug buggy, cricket and earwig bugs, and additional sets of gear, furniture, and base defense items. This update will also include Steam Deck verification, Steam Deck-specific crossplay with other platforms, and improved support for the ASUS ROG Ally.

In Summer 2026, players can look forward to overhauled versions of Smoothies, improved swimming mechanics, water bug mounts, equipment for aquatic environments, and even the ability to build “watery bases.” From that point onward, nearly every aspect of the game is set to expand further.

Notably, three additions—two of which are planned for winter and summer, and one at an unconfirmed time—are currently redacted in the roadmap. However, the green tree icon next to them suggests they are expansions for Brookhollow Park. These are likely to be the large new map areas that Obsidian has hinted at, as only a fraction of the park is available to explore right now.

Additional Details and Deals

For those interested in joining the adventure, there are several deals worth noting. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate memberships are available for $10.19 at CDKeys, offering access to Microsoft’s service at a significant discount. If you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, it’s recommended to use it to play, as it eliminates the risk of purchasing a game that doesn’t run well on your system.

Those without Game Pass can get a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $10.19 at CDKeys. Subscribers can enjoy day-one access to Xbox games across consoles, PCs, and even through the Cloud on a wide range of devices. This tier ensures that players never miss out on any content coming to the service.

Reception and Considerations

So far, Grounded 2 has received strong praise from critics. In an Early Access review, my colleague Zachary Boddy noted that the game is “far larger and considerably more ambitious” than its predecessor. Another contributor, Samuel Tolbert, expressed excitement about where the game might go next after testing it hands-on.

However, the game had a somewhat rocky start on Steam. While it surpassed the original Grounded’s player count with a peak of 49,836 players, it currently holds a “Mixed” review score, with only 67% of 747 user reviews being positive. Many negative reviews cite poor optimization and performance issues. While these types of problems are common in Early Access, they are typically addressed through updates before the full launch.

If you're considering jumping into Grounded 2, it’s worth keeping these factors in mind. For those who don’t have Game Pass, the discounted membership offer at CDKeys could be a smart move. Whether you’re a fan of survival games or looking for something new and exciting, Grounded 2 promises an evolving and expansive experience that’s definitely worth checking out.