What do you get when you cross Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, a survival game, and a Red Soldier Ant with roid rage? You get Grounded 2, a pint-sized playground where everything wants to kill you, and the grass is basically a jungle. Whether you’re rocking solo or dragging three mates along for the ride, Grounded 2 throws you into the undergrowth with nothing but your wits, a makeshift axe, and the looming fear of what’s skittering behind the next leaf.
But don’t worry, we’ve crammed all the juicy, bug-infested survival know-how into one compact guide. From crafting the game-changing Omni-Tool to riding your very own murder ant into battle, we’ll walk you through everything you need to not only survive the park… but absolutely own it.
Let’s get tiny.
Getting started (and not getting squashed)
Grounded 2 dropped into Early Access on 29 July 2025, inviting us to explore a far bigger and infinitely more dangerous Brookhollow Park alongside up to three pals. The good news? There’s now a proper tutorial woven into the narrative, easing you into survival life among the carnivorous grass and less-than-friendly spiders.
Meet your best friend: the Omni‑Tool
Say hello to your new best mate. The Omni‑Tool combines axe, hammer, shovel, and yes, even a wrench, so you’re not lugging four separate tools around.
You can upgrade each function to Tier 2 (with Tier 3 locked until the Winter update) using Raw Science and materials like roach chunks, lingonberry leather, and scorpion stingers. The upgrades unlock better access to mid‑game gear, yes, that glorious Snail Shell armour. Rails are being laid for future enhancements in Summer 2026 and beyond.
Riding your way to glory
Enter the buggy, a rideable insect companion that turns traversal and combat on its head. To get one:
- Progress until you nab an Optical Disc and unlock the “Egg Hunt” quest in the Science Shop.
- Spend Science to purchase the Hatchery Bundle, then build a Hatchery and, optionally, an Ant Hill to store your buggy.
- Slot in a Red Soldier Ant egg, along with the saddle components.
- Wait 12 in‑game hours, and voila, a rideable ant buggy!
These buggies are absolute game-changers: they carry items, deal damage, and even aggro enemies in combat. You can summon them with a button press and dismiss them at will.
Build a stronghold (that doesn’t collapse)
Your Grounded 2 base should be built up, not just out. An elevated position—like atop a log or rock—not only gives you a tactical advantage over bugs but also helps with sturdier foundations. Use the analyser at Ranger Stations to sift RNG materials into blueprints, unlock brain‑power XP, and power‑level your crafting. Your future self will thank you.
Combat, mutations & mutant mammaries (okay, maybe not that last one)
Combat has evolved in Grounded 2; think dodges, charged strikes, mutations, and RPG‑style gear sets. Vanquish bugs, analyse their parts, and craft armour and weapons with nifty synergistic effects. (Red Ant armour, e.g., boosts crit chance and reduces stamina drain.) These mechanics make you feel like a proper park‑survivor warrior.
Some additional Grounded 2 pro tips
- Prioritise upgrading your Omni‑Tool before venturing too far afield.
- Use your buggy to haul bulky materials like grass planks and weed stems; your back will thank you.
- Build near a Ranger Station to stay safe and fuel progress.
- Save, or, as we Brits might prefer, stash, your optical discs for the Science Shop.
Full‑game flavour or just dipping toes in Early Access? Either way, Grounded 2 invites you into a mini‑epic world full of ingenuity, discovery, and the occasional comical ant friend. With a solid Omni‑Tool and a reliable buggy, you’re more than ready to survive and thrive.
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