When Grounded first landed on Xbox and PC in 2022, it brought a fresh twist to the survival-crafting genre with its unique premise of miniaturized teens navigating the perils of a suburban backyard – perhaps hints of It Takes Two, but with a very different feel to it. Now, with its PlayStation 5 debut, Grounded continues to charm with its mix of harsh survival elements and warm-hearted design, showcasing that Obsidian Entertainment’s knack for world-building and storytelling goes beyond their classic RPG titles.
The narrative in Grounded revolves around a group of teens mysteriously shrunk to insect size, stranded in a backyard teeming with both wonder and danger. The game’s campaign that delves into the mystery of their predicament, blending light-hearted humor with a coming-of-age type of story that also taps into ’90s nostalgia at times. Unfolding through engaging quests and exploration, the campaign offers a rewarding experience as players uncover secrets and piece together the story.
Beyond its interesting premise, Grounded excels in its survival-crafting gameplay, where players must gather resources, build shelters, and craft tools to survive. The crafting system is deep and rewarding, with a wide array of weapons and tools that evolve as you progress. Early tools like hammers and shovels give way to more advanced gear that reflects your growing expertise and resourcefulness as you progress, though the grind for resources can sometimes feel tedious, and the crafting interface could benefit from more intuitive navigation. Fairly common issues within this genre of course…
Exploration is a key element, with beautifully designed biomes that invite players to go out and discover hidden secrets. The game’s visual style captures the essence of a backyard jungle, from towering grass blades to serene ponds, creating an immersive environment that encourages curiosity while evoking memories of films like A Bug’s Life and Antz.
On the PlayStation 5, Grounded’s controls are generally smooth and responsive, though navigating the extensive menus for crafting and inventory management can still be cumbersome. The game offers various accessibility options, including an ‘arachnophobia mode’ that modifies the appearance of spiders to reduce their intimidation factor, which makes this one very family-friendly.
Grounded’s visuals are a standout, with vibrant, detailed environments that make the backyard setting come alive. The PS5 enhances this experience with higher resolutions and frame rates, making the world feel even more dynamic and immersive compared to the Switch version that was also released. The sound design is equally impressive, with ambient noises and creature sounds that heighten the sense of danger and immersion.
Grounded on the PlayStation 5 is a delightful and engaging survival-crafting game that combines charming visuals, an intriguing narrative, and robust gameplay mechanics. While it occasionally succumbs to the genre’s grindy nature and could use some UI improvements, it remains a compelling adventure that’s worth exploring, whether you’re a solo player or teaming up with friends. It’s a testament to Obsidian’s ability to innovate within familiar genres, and the new PS5 version brings a polished and enriched experience that’s definitely worth your time.
Score: 8.1/10
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