Summary
Obsidian Entertainment has been one of the biggest RPG developers in the industry since their big hit,Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords, in 2004. RPGs quickly became their bread and butter with minimal deviation. Then the pandemic hit, and everyone was stuck inside in 2020, so in July of that year, they released an Early Access version of one of their most ambitious and strange games yet,Grounded.
Thanks to player feedback,Obsidian EntertainmentreleasedGroundedin its full version in 2022 and also launched iton more than Xbox platforms. Now,Grounded 2is here, and already, there are numerousnotable improvements from the first game. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect yet, but these are some of the greatest changes made so far.
7The UI
A Cleaner Look
The first game had aUI designthat was reminiscent ofMinecraft. Players could pick up things like candy bars or rocks, and then they would appear at the bottom of the screen in the player’s inventory. It was not a bad UI system for a game with crafting, but the design inGrounded 2is much cleaner.
For console players, it can still be rough navigating between all the shortcut menus, from crafting furniture to gear toequipping weapons inGrounded 2. That comes with the territory, though, as there are so many mechanics to keep track of. Overall, every menu looks much better inGrounded 2,and a lot of it has been conveniently streamlined to make the experience smoother.
6Third-Person Appears
Switch Anytime
Obsidian Entertainment seemingly unlocked the key tomaking third-person gamesthis year. BothThe Outer WorldsandGroundedare only playable in first-person, but their two sequels are getting third-person support. It’s great to see the faces of the kid heroes inGrounded 2as players explore now, but there is a caveat to that.
It’s still easier to fight and pick up items in first-person, which is true of most RPGs that are built primarily with first-person in mind. Still, it’s great that players can go into the menu and switch to third-person anytime they want.
5The Design
Less Dark, More Vibrant
Going back to the current version ofGroundedafter playingGrounded 2isa bit astounding. The game launchedout of Early Accessin 2022, and yet somehow, three years later, Obsidian Entertainment has improved its tech so much.
Side by side, there is a significant difference graphically as everything is more colorful and vibrant in the sequel. The garden in the first game, while large, is darker and a bit more drab. Even though the backyard is still a scary place filled with bugs, it is a more inviting place to jump into inGrounded 2.
4The Map
Terrain That Is Easier To Understand
The maphas also been improved inGrounded 2thanks to the UI and graphics upgrade. In the first game, it was hard to tell where anything was while exploring. The map inGrounded 2has more detail, allowing players to connect what they see in the world with what they see on the map.
There’s still a lot of guesswork for some of the exploration options, as it isn’t as detailed as something recent likeDonkey Kong Country Bananza, which took map-making to a whole new level. That said,Grounded 2’smap is still an improvement over its predecessor, without a doubt.
3The Ranger Outpost
Fallout Says Hello
Another design detail that has improved is theRanger Outpoststhat players can find for respite. Players will begin in a massive tower that overlooks the backyard, and they won’t find anything quite that large or unique again. However, the Ranger Outposts are now more detailed and feel like little miniVaults from theFalloutseries.
Since Obsidian Entertainment worked onFallout: New Vegas, it’s easy to see how they came up with the Ranger Outposts designs this time around. In the original, these shelters were very basic, like the first one players encounter inGrounded, which was no better than a gazebo with some computers in it. InGounded 2,they feel far move lived-in and a part of the world.
2The Omni-Tool
A Tool For Every Occasion
In the first game, one of the first thingsGroundedwants players to craft is a stone axe to start cutting down plants, such as trees. In the sequel, players are given theOmni-Toolalmost immediately inGrounded 2. This handy tool can chop things down infinitely and be upgraded to do other things, like repair items or dig holes.
The Omni-Tool can be upgraded to increase its strength and can then cut through bigger materials. While players still have to craft a lot of gear, like weapons and armor, inGrounded 2, it is great to have a set of other tools they don’t have to think about crafting all contained in one handy-dandy unit.
1Gear Makes Your Characters Pop
Customize To Your Liking
Unfortunately, there are no typical RPG character customization options when players choose theirkids at the beginning ofGrounded 2. Players can at leastcraft a wide range of armor and weaponsto make their chosen character stand out more.
Overall, the designs of the gear have been improved and feature a lot more detail than in the original game. It can still look awkward to wear leaves and bug carcasses as armor, butMonster Hunterfans have gotten used to this type of gear crafting for decades now. InGrounded 2,players will likely be happy with what they have.
