Grounded proposes to dive back into the 90s and to embody a teenager miniaturized by a mad scientist, who then abandoned him in the depths of a garden as poorly maintained as it is hostile. It’s not a tropical island, nor another world, but in more ways than one, it’s an exotic and original adventure that awaits you in this excellent game that combines survival, exploration, combat, crafting and construction. It would be a shame to miss it, and since many players don’t seem aware that it’s coming, we offer you a little summary before the test.
Release date & Game Pass
Grounded made a lot of noise when it was released in early access since 2020, but as is often the case, the interest of the majority of players fell after a while. After several major updates, new biomes, and tons of features, the full version of Grounded is coming this September 27, 2022 on PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, as well as on Xbox One and Xbox Series. The base price is €29.99but he is included in the Game Pass, which allows you to play it without having to pay anything more, if you are already a subscriber. This accessibility is very good news, since it is better to play it with friends. It’s easier to convince them to test the game if they already have it.
Gameplay
To briefly summarize, Grounded is quite similar to Valheim in terms of gameplay fundamentals. The survival aspect of the game is pretty light, as there’s just a thirst gauge and a hunger gauge to manage, and that’s only really problematic on extended expeditions. To begin with, the game focuses more on exploring the huge garden, which is full of secrets and aggressive insects. A sandbox or an overturned barbecue are incredible places for adventure. Fighting is important too, and pacifism was never an option against spiders. They are fairly standard, but effective, with a life gauge and an endurance gauge. You have to choose your weapons and your strategy carefully when faced with sometimes much larger enemies, and there is no miraculous Dark Souls-style roll to get you out of trouble.
You have to either block or manage to keep your distance. Building a base and equipment to balance the odds is therefore important, since the game is quite difficult at the start. However, there are many options to adapt the difficulty and the gameplay: construction mode, easy mode, deactivation of hunger/thirst, or conversely, a super difficult mode for those looking for a challenge. Note in passing that Grounded is playable in two ways, in the first person, or in the third person. Switching from one to the other is easy and instantaneous, which allows for example to promote immersion in FPS view, but also to make life easier when delicate navigation at the top of the branches of a tree in TPS .
Construction
Grounded is not Minecraft, and modifying the terrain is unfortunately not possible. Do not expect to dig galleries everywhere like a supercharged earthworm. On the other hand, the game responds well to the fantasy that many had as children, that of creating a secret base with sticks and leaves, making possible the miniaturization of the protagonists. It is possible to build quite impressive bases, in unexpected places, such as on the surface of the pond, on top of a lamp, or in the branches of a tree. You can add quite original devices to make your life easier, such as stairs, zip lines or trampolines. If you feel like it, it is possible to make navigation in the garden very easy, even for a Lilliputian. If, conversely, it’s not your trip, it does not matter. It is possible to limit yourself to a simplistic and functional base, and to build a few secondary mini-bases in the biome you are currently exploring. There’s really no need to invest time in big projects, if you’re not interested.
Solo vs. Multiplayer
Since it is possible to be up to 4 teens in a game, it is legitimate to hesitate to start a game like Grounded when you prefer to play solo, or if it is the only option available. If this can reassure you, know that the game can be played entirely alone, without requiring an exaggerated amount of farming. The progression is quite fast when you know what you’re doing, and there’s no need to mine tons of materials. The absence of a teammate is especially problematic on big fights, like bosses, although it is manageable by playing well. Reducing the difficulty of the fights can then be the solution. But if you like big bases and ambitious builds, it’s clearly better to play cooperatively, unless you’re patient and persistent.
Our opinion
Grounded has been much improved and expanded over the years, and the game now has a great recipe. It incorporates varied and satisfying, yet easy-to-pick-up gameplay in a rich, good-natured universe, making it an excellent choice for many gamers. The price is reduced, the lifespan is solid, and it lends itself well to play with friends or even family. Those who prefer to play alone and casual players should also find their account. With its cartoonish artistic direction, the result is very pleasant and quite pretty. Plus, those who experienced the 80s-90s are in for a wave of nostalgia as a bonus. In summary, whether it’s just a few hours for the pleasure of discovery, or in the long term, to unearth all the secrets of the garden, Grounded is always fun.