Grounded 2 has officially entered early access, and Obsidian Entertainment has laid out an ambitious roadmap that promises to expand the backyard adventure far beyond its launch state. Like its predecessor, the game will evolve through a series of major updates, but this time the content drops are meatier, with new bosses, creative tools, aquatic gameplay, and progression systems designed to keep players engaged long after the first hours of exploration.
If you’re ready to see how the backyard will grow, here’s a full breakdown of Grounded 2’s early access roadmap through 2026 and beyond.
What’s Coming in the First Year
The first year of early access will feature three core updates:
- Fall 2025 Update – First Park Boss (AXL), building upgrades, and Hotpouch on Buggies.
- Winter 2025 Update – Creative Playgrounds, new bugs, Tier 3 gear, and handheld support.
- Summer 2026 Update – Aquatic bases, Swimming 2.0, and Tier 4 progression.
Omni-Tool tier upgrades and new crafting recipes will arrive throughout the year, alongside smaller patches for new languages, mutations, and quality-of-life improvements.
See also: How to Get Spine Nubs in Grounded 2: Best Locations & Farming Guide
Fall 2025 Update: Meet AXL, the First Park Boss
The first major patch of early access, arriving in Fall 2025, brings Grounded 2’s first Park Boss: AXL.
- AXL has its own dedicated arena in Brookhollow Park, and defeating it rewards exclusive weapons, armor, furniture, and crafting recipes.
- The Building Grid System allows for precise structure placement.
- Hotpouch on Buggies lets players access healing items or tools on the move.
- Japanese and Brazilian Portuguese support arrives in this patch, expanding accessibility.
This update marks the first big step in survival progression, as AXL unlocks new crafting paths integrated into the game’s core loop.
See also: Grounded 2: How to Get Spine Nubs and Best Farming Spots
Winter 2025: Creative Mode, New Bugs, and Exploration
The Winter 2025 update deepens exploration and creativity with new systems and areas.
Key highlights include:
- New Park Area – A secret section of Brookhollow Park opens for exploration.
- Playgrounds Mode – A creative mode to build and experiment freely without resource grinding.
- New Mechanics:
- Sour 2.0 – Enhanced elemental combat.
- PEEP.R 2.0 – Improved bug scanning.
- Coziness System – Levels up base comfort and may offer passive benefits.
- New Bugs – Crickets, Earwigs, and variants of existing insects for expanded combat variety.
- Mobility & Gear – Ladybug Buggy, Tier 3 equipment, and Tier 3 Omni-Tool upgrades for advanced crafting.
- Base Enhancements – Mushroom Set 2.0 furniture and Buggy quality-of-life improvements.
This update gives survival players new gear and exploration challenges, while creative builders can start designing elaborate bases and arenas.
See also: Don’t Buy the Wrong Grounded 2 Editions—Read This First
Summer 2026 Update: Bases, Ziplines, and Tier 4 Gear
The Summer 2026 update transforms the backyard with aquatic exploration and late-game progression.
Key features include:
- Water Exploration – Water-based Buggies and new aquatic creatures.
- Swimming 2.0 & Ziplines – Improved traversal and the ability to connect distant bases safely.
- Smoothies 2.0 – Upgraded consumables with better buffs for survival.
- Water Bases – Build raft-style or submerged dome bases for the first true aquatic settlements.
- Tier 4 Gear – Including Tier 4 Omni-Tools for top-level crafting and survival.
With this patch, the backyard becomes a multi-layered environment, encouraging underwater building and expanded exploration.
Grounded 2’s Post-Year-One Roadmap
Obsidian plans to extend early access with even bigger features and challenges, including:
- Passive and Active Mutations 2.0 for deeper progression and combat variety.
- New Buggies, Buggy mutations, customization, and progression systems.
- Additional Park Bosses, giant Colossi, and new bug variants.
- Advanced base-building materials and full base relocation, allowing players to adapt or move homes.
- Expanded language support: Arabic, Korean, Polish, Russian, Thai, Traditional Chinese, and Turkish.
These future updates will make Grounded 2 larger, more dynamic, and more replayable than its predecessor.
How the Roadmap Shapes Your Adventure
Grounded 2’s roadmap ensures that early access is more than just a preview—it’s a long-term adventure. From the first battle against AXL to the thrill of building a submerged dome base, every patch adds meaningful gameplay layers.
See also: Final Fantasy XIV to Roll Out Fan-Requested Forked Tower and Occult Crescent Updates
If you’re jumping in early, now’s the time to fortify your base, upgrade your gear, and explore the backyard—because the world will only grow bigger, tougher, and more rewarding. Play Now!
