It’s been almost two years since Grounded, the brainchild of Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios, first hit the scene. Now, this charming title has made its way to new platforms, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
Thanks to Xbox, we got our hands on the PS5 version, and let me tell you, going back into the world of being a tiny teenager in a vast wilderness feels like coming home.
Although I’ve dabbled in Grounded on PC without fully immersing myself, the arrival of the game on PlayStation 5 feels like the perfect opportunity to dive back in.
The new “Fully Yoked Edition” update, complete with features like New Game Plus, fresh gear, and menacing Queen Ants, promises to keep fans thoroughly engaged.
I’ve already had my fair share of heart-pounding encounters with these formidable ants, sometimes finding myself face-to-face with them before I’m truly prepared.
The thrill of being minuscule compared to deadly insects and arachnids has always been a highlight of Grounded. Now, even though I’m playing solo from the comfort of my couch, the excitement remains as I discover the vivid world on a high-definition TV, feeling both larger than life and smaller than ever.
Grounded performs admirably on console, but there are moments when I find myself longing for the precision of a keyboard and mouse setup.
First-person crafting games like this can feel a tad clunky on a controller, despite the efficient building mechanics. While rotating, bending, and assembling objects is smooth, seeing menus and swapping items can be a bit cumbersome.
For example, the fluid inventory management of games like Stardew Valley is replaced with a more cumbersome process of cycling through item wheels and confirming selections.
While the controller quirks in Grounded aren’t a deal-breaker, they could be indicative of the early stages of Xbox games branching out to other platforms like PlayStation and Switch.
We’ve already seen Obsidian Entertainment’s Pentiment and Tango Gameworks’ Hi-Fi RUSH make their debut on PlayStation 5 this year, with Sea of Thieves set to follow later this month.
It’s a promising start to Xbox’s new approach, and I’m hopeful that we’ll see more titles make the jump in the future. After all, having more games accessible to more players can only be a positive thing.
