Grounded 2 is receiving its second major content update, "Into the Abyss," which introduces a significant new underwater area and several quality-of-life enhancements designed to improve player experience. Developed by Obsidian and Eidos Montreal, the update builds upon the game's early access launch from July 2025 by expanding the playable map and offering new challenges.
The centerpiece of the update is a sprawling new pond area situated in the southern part of the park. This new zone seamlessly connects to existing areas like Toxic Tangle and the former edge of the Ice Cream Cart zone. Unlike previous expansions that required story progression, the pond area is accessible from the outset of the game, though developer rebalancing has been implemented to account for the potential challenge of tackling it early.
To facilitate easier navigation across the game's increasingly large map, the update introduces several improvements. A substantial upgrade to the pneumatic tube system now designates nearly a dozen stations as fast travel points. Players can unlock these stations using Raw Science, allowing instant travel between any linked, unlocked hubs. This addresses the potential tedium of extensive on-foot travel. Additionally, players can now craft and place ziplines, offering a safer method for traversing between high and low-ground areas.
Revamped Raids and New Dangers
Player interaction with O.R.C. raids has also been redesigned. Previously occurring on a fixed in-game timer, raids will now be triggered by an "aggro meter" that increases as players engage with O.R.C. bugs. This change aims to give players more control over when these encounters occur. For those seeking more frequent challenges, a new option allows players to repair mixer stations to reinitiate raids.
The pond area itself is substantial, featuring several distinct sub-locations. These include the pond's depths, a dead oak tree on a small hill, a forest of melted candles, and a swamp-like segment known as "the bridge." Each of these areas contains "adventure areas"—points of interest that may hold rare materials, bosses, or unique discoveries. Some points of interest are small, like a shed or a fallen trash can, while others function as larger, multi-layered zones. The design emphasizes verticality, with cave systems extending deep underground and points of interest requiring strategic approaches to reach, including platforming challenges in the deepest section known as the abyss.
Into the Abyss brings a mix of new and returning enemies to the pond area. The terrifying toe biter, inspired by its real-world marsh-dwelling counterpart, is a new addition. In-game, its venom induces a chill effect rather than a neurological assault, slowing players down. A new vehicle, the Toe Biter Buggy, is available for pond exploration. This update also features upgraded versions of existing enemies like wasps, mosquitos, scorpions, and the green shield bug, a more potent variant of the stinkbug. Returning from the original Grounded is the diving bell spider, which is less formidable with a new weapon: the harpoon gun. This weapon functions similarly to a crossbow, allowing players to weaken enemies before closing in for the final blow, supported by a new lock-on targeting system.
Underwater Exploration and Building
Movement and visibility in underwater areas have been significantly improved from the first Grounded. The murky depth filter has been removed, offering clear sightlines until extreme depths are reached. Player movement is now comparable to land traversal, with the addition of a multi-directional dash for enhanced mobility and evasion. The Toe Biter Buggy also offers swift underwater travel.
While underwater gear and oxygen management remain crucial, the update introduces temperature changes. A "chill meter" increases with depth, necessitating the new diving suit for safe exploration of the pond's bottom. This suit provides insulation and an infinite oxygen supply. The improvements extend to underwater base building, allowing players to construct crafting stations and other structures beneath the surface. Structures like beds generate small air bubbles, negating the need for constant oxygen checks during downtime.
The "Into the Abyss" update is scheduled to release on August 11 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.