Grounded 2 is about to make Brookhollow Park much wetter - and much more dangerous. On August 11, 2026 the survival sequel arrives on PlayStation 5 at the same time as Into the Abyss, a major update that opens the pond above and below the surface.
For new PS5 players, this is the first chance to enter the park. For people already playing on Xbox or PC, the pond is the bigger attraction: it adds a fresh region, new progression routes, underwater equipment, returning creatures, and a Buggy that can travel on land and water.
When is Grounded 2 coming to PS5?
Grounded 2 launches on PS5 on August 11, 2026. It is already available in Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC, and in Early Access on Steam. Xbox players can also access it through Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, with Xbox Play Anywhere support between console and PC.
The PS5 launch does not mark version 1.0. Obsidian describes Grounded 2 as being in an ongoing early access development period, so the game will continue to grow through updates and community feedback. Anyone buying it should expect a game that is playable now but still being expanded.
What is in the Into the Abyss update?
Into the Abyss opens the pond, one of the largest new areas added to Brookhollow Park so far. Exploration takes place on the shoreline, across the water, and deep below the surface. The update also reaches into connected areas including the Mountains and the Bayou, giving returning players more than a single underwater room to clear.
The pond has its own progression. New diving suits let you stay underwater longer and push into sections that are out of reach when you first arrive. That makes oxygen and equipment part of the route instead of turning the whole area into an unrestricted swim from the start.
The Toe-biter is a Buggy for land and water
Grounded 2 already lets players raise and ride insect Buggies, but the Toe-biter changes how travel works around the pond. This amphibious mount can cross dry ground and water, so you do not have to abandon your ride every time the route leaves the shoreline.
Its value should go beyond speed. Buggies can help with exploration and encounters, and a mount that works in both environments should make trips for materials, secrets, and new objectives less awkward. Obsidian has not yet detailed every unlock requirement, so players may need to progress through the pond before the Toe-biter becomes available.
Which creatures are returning?
The koi fish and diving bell spider return for the new underwater space. Grounded veterans already know that the pond is not a calm shortcut, and the sequel is using those familiar threats alongside creatures and surprises that Obsidian has not fully revealed.
The koi is especially important to the mood of the area. At normal size it would be harmless scenery; at Grounded scale, it becomes something huge moving through water where the player cannot sprint or climb away. That change in movement is what gives the pond a different kind of tension from the grasslands.
How much does Grounded 2 cost?
The standard edition is currently listed at $29.99 on Xbox, and it is included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Obsidian has not announced a separate price for Into the Abyss in its update reveal. PS5 pricing can vary by region, so the PlayStation Store listing is the best place to check the final local amount on August 11.
Should you start now or wait for August 11?
Xbox and PC players can start before the update, learn the crafting loop, and build a base before the pond opens. PS5 players will enter with the larger map already available, which may make the early game feel broader but also gives them more systems to learn at once.
If you prefer finished games, waiting for version 1.0 is still the safer choice. If you enjoy watching a survival world change and do not mind balance updates or unfinished edges, August 11 is a strong entry point: the PlayStation community arrives, the pond opens, and Grounded 2 gets one of its most distinctive exploration zones.
