Into the Abyss: The Biggest Grounded 2 Update Yet Changes How You'll Explore Brookhollow Park
If you've spent time exploring Brookhollow Park, you've probably found yourself staring at the pond, wondering what was waiting beneath the surface.
With Into the Abyss, it's finally time to take the plunge.
Our biggest update yet expands the park with an entirely new underwater experience that transforms how you'll explore, build, and survive. From sprawling new locations and underwater base building to dangerous new creatures, expanded progression, and a new amphibious Buggy, this update isn't just about adding more space—it's about introducing a whole new dimension to Grounded 2.
Welcome to The Abyss
The pond has always stood out as one of Brookhollow Park's largest landmarks, but what you've seen so far is only the beginning.
Beneath the surface lies one of Grounded 2's largest new areas to date. What first appears to be a familiar pond quickly opens into a sprawling environment with surprising verticality, hidden routes, and new points of interest. Beyond the shoreline, you'll also venture into new surrounding areas, including the Bayou and the Mountains, while those willing to take the plunge can descend into the Abyss itself.
Every dive rewards curiosity, but it also demands preparation. The deeper you descend, the more you'll rely on upgraded gear, careful planning, and your understanding of the environment to survive what waits below.
Every Dive Starts Before You Enter the Water
Surviving beneath the surface means preparing differently than you have before.
The new Diving Suit introduces a progression path built around underwater exploration. Discovering Optical Disks unlocks new Diving Suit recipes, allowing you to craft upgraded equipment for longer expeditions and opening access to even deeper parts of the pond.
Rather than treating underwater exploration as a short detour, Into the Abyss makes it an entirely new gameplay loop. Each upgrade opens new opportunities to explore deeper, discover hidden resources, and uncover more of what the pond has to offer.
Build a Home Below the Surface
Players have built incredible creations throughout Brookhollow Park since Early Access began, and we're excited to see what you'll create next.
For the first time, you'll be able to establish fully underwater bases, opening entirely new possibilities for where and how you build. New underwater building pieces, including Bubble Floors that create breathable spaces beneath the surface, let you transform the depths into your next home, staging area, or research outpost.
Whether you're building for function, creativity, or simply because you've always wanted an underwater base, this update expands your toolbox in exciting new ways.
New Ways to Fight. New Reasons to Prepare.
Of course, the pond isn't giving up its secrets without a fight.
Into the Abyss introduces new underwater combat encounters with both familiar and brand-new creatures. Returning threats like the Diving Bell Spider now share the water with new predators including the Toe Biter, while CNK robots and Pond Jockeys create new dangers throughout the surrounding areas. Every expedition asks you to rethink your gear, builds, and approach before taking the plunge.
If you'd rather have a Toe Biter on your side than standing in your way, they can also be tamed and transformed into your newest Buggy. Its amphibious nature lets you seamlessly travel between land and water, opening new routes through the park while making exploration and combat feel more connected than ever.
As always, choosing the right gear, mutations, and build before setting out can make all the difference once things go sideways.
More Waiting to Be Found
Beyond the pond itself, Into the Abyss expands Brookhollow Park with new collectibles, additional rewards for exploration, and more reasons than ever to wander off the beaten path.
Hidden throughout Brookhollow Park are Critter Capz, collectible bug-themed figurines waiting to be discovered. Tucked away in hidden corners and off-the-beaten-path locations, they're a reward for curious explorers and completionists alike, encouraging you to revisit familiar areas and uncover every new path the update has to offer.
Your Next Adventure Starts Below the Surface
One of our goals with Grounded 2 has always been to make Brookhollow Park feel like a place worth exploring again and again.
Into the Abyss takes that philosophy deeper than ever before. It's not just a new destination; it's a new way to experience the park. Every dive presents new choices, new dangers, and new discoveries waiting just below the surface.
Whether you're chasing every collectible, building an underwater stronghold, or simply determined to see what lies at the very bottom of the pond, we can't wait to watch your next adventure unfold.
Gear up, gather your friends, and take the plunge.
We'll see you in Brookhollow Park.
For the full list of new features, additions, and bug fixes, please head over to our patch notes.
Grounded 2 is available in Game Preview for XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, and ROG XBOX Ally handhelds, and in Early Access on Steam and PlayStation 5. Play with Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, or purchase the game on your platform of choice. Play on both XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC at no additional cost with XBOX Play Anywhere.