Grounded, the latest survival title from Obsidian Entertainment, has been making waves in the gaming community since its release in July 2020. Players have been drawn to its unique blend of exploration, crafting, and combat, set in a world where you’re shrunk down to the size of an ant. But amidst the excitement and buzz, a lingering question has been on many gamers’ minds: is Grounded a full game? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Grounded and explore what makes it a comprehensive gaming experience, despite some of its limitations.
What Constitutes a Full Game?
Before we dive into Grounded specifically, it’s essential to understand what constitutes a full game. In modern gaming, the lines between early access, beta, and full releases have become increasingly blurred. However, there are some key factors that typically define a full game:
- A complete narrative or story arc
- A fully fleshed-out gameplay mechanic
- A substantial amount of content, including quests, missions, or activities
- A polished user interface and overall game presentation
- Ongoing support and updates from the development team
Grounded’s Early Access Launch
Grounded launched in early access on July 28, 2020, for Xbox One and PC via Steam. At the time of launch, the game’s developers, Obsidian Entertainment, made it clear that Grounded was not a finished product, but rather a work in progress. The early access model allowed the team to gather feedback from players, iterate on the game’s design, and continuously update the game with new content and features.
Despite the early access label, Grounded’s initial launch was surprisingly robust, with a richly detailed world, a variety of biomes to explore, and a complex crafting system. Players were drawn to the game’s sense of discovery and exploration, as well as its challenging combat mechanics.
A Robust Gameplay Mechanic
One of the key aspects that defines Grounded as a full game is its comprehensive gameplay mechanic. The game’s core loop is centered around exploration, crafting, and survival, which are all essential components of a survival game. Players must gather resources, craft tools and equipment, and build shelter to survive in the harsh environment.
- Resource Gathering: Grounded’s world is rich in resources, from twigs and pebbles to rare materials like sap and crystal. Players must explore the environment to gather these resources, which are used to craft items, build structures, and upgrade equipment.
- Crafting System: The game’s crafting system is complex and nuanced, with a variety of recipes to unlock and master. Players can craft everything from basic tools to elaborate bases, using a combination of resources and blueprints.
- Combat Mechanics: Grounded’s combat system is challenging and rewarding, with a variety of enemies to defeat and strategies to employ. Players must use a combination of melee attacks, ranged weapons, and environmental hazards to take down their foes.
A Substantial Amount of Content
At launch, Grounded’s early access version included a substantial amount of content, including:
- Multiple Biomes: The game features a variety of biomes, each with its unique environment, resources, and challenges. From the lush grasslands to the treacherous swamp, each biome offers a distinct survival experience.
- Quests and Missions: Grounded includes a variety of quests and missions, which provide a sense of direction and purpose in the game’s open world. These quests often reward players with valuable resources, blueprints, and other goodies.
- Building and Base-Building: Players can build elaborate bases using a variety of materials and structures. The game’s building system is robust, allowing for a high degree of creativity and customization.
Polished User Interface and Presentation
Grounded’s user interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. The game’s menus are well-organized, and the HUD (heads-up display) provides all the necessary information without cluttering the screen. The game’s graphics are also impressive, with detailed character models, environments, and animations.
Ongoing Support and Updates
Obsidian Entertainment has been committed to ongoing support and updates for Grounded since its early access launch. The development team has released regular patches, addressing player feedback, fixing bugs, and adding new content to the game. These updates have included new biomes, quests, and game mechanics, as well as balance changes and quality-of-life improvements.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Grounded offers a comprehensive gaming experience, there are some limitations and areas for improvement. Some players have criticized the game’s:
- Lack of a Central Narrative: Grounded’s story is relatively thin, with no central narrative or driving force behind the gameplay.
- Repetition in Gameplay: Some players have reported feeling a sense of repetition in the gameplay, particularly in the early stages of the game.
- Tech Issues and Bugs: Like many early access titles, Grounded has been plagued by technical issues and bugs, which have been frustrating for some players.
Obsidian Entertainment has been proactive in addressing community concerns, releasing hotfixes and patches to address technical issues and improve the overall gaming experience. The development team has also been open to feedback, engaging with the community on social media and forums to gather input and suggestions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Grounded may not be a traditional “full game” in the classical sense, it offers a comprehensive gaming experience that is well worth exploring. The game’s robust gameplay mechanic, substantial amount of content, and polished user interface make it a compelling choice for fans of survival games. While there are some limitations and areas for improvement, Obsidian Entertainment’s ongoing support and commitment to updates have helped to address community concerns and improve the overall gaming experience.
Grounded may not be perfect, but it is a game that is full of potential, offering a richly detailed world to explore, a complex crafting system to master, and a challenging combat mechanic to conquer. If you’re a fan of survival games or just looking for a new gaming experience, Grounded is definitely worth checking out.
What is Grounded and who is the developer?
Grounded is a survival video game developed by Obsidian Entertainment, a renowned game development studio known for its work on role-playing games like Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity. The game was released in early access on July 28, 2020, and has been receiving regular updates and improvements since then.
In Grounded, players are shrunk down to the size of an ant and must survive in a backyard filled with giant insects, treacherous terrain, and scarce resources. The game offers a unique blend of exploration, crafting, and combat, challenging players to adapt to their miniature surroundings and fight to stay alive.
Is Grounded still in early access, and what does that mean?
Yes, Grounded is still in early access, which means it is not yet a fully released game. Early access is a development phase where the game is made available to players while it is still being actively developed and improved. This allows the developers to gather feedback, test new features, and fix bugs before the game’s full release.
During early access, players can expect to encounter some bugs, incomplete features, and balancing issues. However, Obsidian Entertainment is committed to supporting the game with regular updates, adding new content, and addressing player concerns. The early access period allows players to participate in the game’s development and help shape its final form.
What kind of updates can I expect during early access?
During early access, players can expect to see a variety of updates, including new features, bug fixes, balance changes, and content additions. These updates will be released on a regular schedule, with the developers aiming to push out new patches every few weeks. Each update will bring the game closer to its full release version, adding more depth, complexity, and polish to the gameplay experience.
The updates will also address player feedback, fixing issues reported by the community and making adjustments based on player suggestions. This collaborative approach ensures that the final product is shaped by the people playing it, resulting in a more enjoyable and engaging experience for everyone.
Will Grounded have a single-player mode or is it only multiplayer?
Grounded offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing players to choose how they want to experience the game. In single-player, you’ll be alone in the backyard, facing the challenges and dangers on your own. In multiplayer, you can join forces with up to three friends, working together to survive and thrive in the miniature world.
Multiplayer allows for a more social and cooperative experience, enabling players to divide tasks, share resources, and offer each other support. However, multiplayer also introduces new challenges, such as coordinating strategies and managing resources among multiple players.
How long will Grounded remain in early access, and when can I expect a full release?
Obsidian Entertainment has not provided a specific timeline for Grounded’s full release, but the developers have stated that they expect to remain in early access for at least a year or more. This allows them to gather sufficient feedback, test new features, and ensure the game meets their high standards for quality and polish.
During this time, the developers will continue to add new content, fix bugs, and make balance adjustments, gradually building towards a full release. When Grounded finally exits early access, it will emerge as a more refined, feature-rich, and engaging experience, offering a satisfying and complete adventure for players.
Will Grounded have a storyline or is it purely a sandbox game?
Grounded has a narrative framework, but it is not a traditional story-driven game. The game’s story is more of a background element, providing context and motivation for the player’s actions. As you explore the backyard, you’ll uncover clues and snippets of information that reveal the events leading up to your miniaturization and the secrets of the mysterious forces at work.
While there is a narrative structure in place, Grounded’s focus is on survival, exploration, and discovery, allowing players to create their own stories and experiences within the game’s sandbox world. The story serves as a guiding force, but it does not dictate the player’s progression or limit their freedom to explore and experiment.
Is Grounded available on multiple platforms, and are cross-play and cross-save supported?
Grounded is currently available on PC (Microsoft Store and Steam) and Xbox One, with plans for future releases on other platforms. While there is no official word on cross-play or cross-save support, the developers have expressed interest in implementing these features in the future.
Cross-play would allow players across different platforms to play together, while cross-save would enable players to access their saves from any platform. If implemented, these features would greatly enhance the game’s multiplayer and cooperative aspects, providing a more seamless and convenient experience for players.