Grounded is the latest survival game from Obsidian Entertainment that finds four teens inexplicably shrunken down to bite-size proportions and forced to contend with the everyday dangers of the backyard. At this point, you've fixed the mysterious device and have accidentally triggered an explosion at the nearby oak tree. If you haven't been, stop here and learn how to fix the mysterious device before reading any further.
Once the mysterious device turns on, it triggers three powerful lasers that converge overhead. This opens the next objective with a huge trail of smoke that leads north to the side of a tall oak tree. Seconds after coming in contact with the tree, an explosion rocks the backyard, sending debris and smoke everywhere. Our next objective is to investigate the explosion at the oak tree. Let's move on!
It's a big(ger) world out there.
Obsidian Entertainment makes its exclusive debut on Xbox One and PC with Grounded, a cooperative survival experience that makes all of your problems much, much bigger, and you much smaller. Join your friends as you try and survive in a dangerous backyard.
How to investigate the oak tree explosion
You should have a clear view of the oak tree from the mysterious device. Check your gear and start your journey by heading in that direction.
If you haven't already, now is a good time to craft a Lean-To and set up a respawn point, as well as fetch some food and water. The north is crawling with spiders, so it's best not to travel by night since spiders are more active then. A run-in with a wolf spider is not something to be scoffed at, so it's best to craft accordingly. Continue the hunt for answers as you investigate the oak tree explosion. Let's gear up and head out.
- Keeping the oak tree in your sights, head north until you see a large lantern. Be sure to keep an eye out for any wandering spiders that might be on the same path as you.
- Once you're at the base of the oak tree, you have two choices — go through the tree or go around. Going through the tree is faster, but there's a chance it'll be crawling with spiders.
- If you decide to go through the tree, crouch and sneak around the spiders, avoiding their sight. If they're sleeping, this shouldn't be too difficult, but if you see the red of their eyes, you might want to get out of there fast.
- Going around is safer, but there's still a chance you might bump into some bugs looking for a snack. Use the tree roots and leaves to stay out of harm's way.
Once on the other side of the tree, look for the purple smoke rising from the point of impact. Beneath some rocks and leaves, there's a door. And if you see it, you are definitely going the right way.
The lab hidden in the tree
You've found a miniature lab is lodged in the roots of the oak tree, but who exactly build it? Could it be linked to the mysterious device somehow? Of course, to find out these answers, you'll have to investigate things further. Let's step inside and figure out where it leads.
- Inside the lab, head down into a large room where you'll find a giant container of pure science. Grab the audio log marked BTU 01 sitting on the terminal in front of it. The audio log is a recording from an unknown person named Wendell.
- Take a look at the terminals around the container. There should be a terminal with green and red buttons.
- To get this working, press the top left red button and then the middle red button on the second row. Doing this will give you a matching set. After that, pull the lever next to the buttons.
- The door on your right will open and also introduce a new threat — TAYZ, an enemy robot. He moves slowly, but his attacks do significant damage, so watch out.
- Defeating TAYZ will reward you with some raw science, and officially rid the lab of enemies.
- On the left of the terminal, there's a room full of 9-volt batteries that have shorted out. Take a look inside for some raw science. Then, head to the right, into the room TAYZ entered from.
- Enter the large room to find a toppled robot named BURG.L. Don't fret; this one is friendly. Help him up, and he'll fill you in on what's going on.
BURG.L is a robot research assistant that offers a daily quest that rewards you with raw science. You can also trade in any raw science you have collected in exchange for tool, and base building upgrades, as well as accept any BURG.L chips you may find.
BURG.L will offer some advice and backstory for the player. It's unclear why BURG.L is the only thing functioning in this lab, but he seems very happy to see a friendly face. And at this point, after being shrunk down and forced to fight for your life in someone's backyard, who isn't?
What's next?
Grounded's story ends here, for now. The game is still in early access, and the Obsidian Entertainment has promised more content, creatures, and story in the immediate future. From here, you can continue to explore, build huge bases, and complete missions for BURG.L. The backyard is yours for the taking!
What's your favorite part of Grounded so far? And what are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments.
It's a big(ger) world out there.
Obsidian Entertainment makes its exclusive debut on Xbox One and PC with Grounded, a cooperative survival experience that literally makes all of your problems much, much bigger, and you much smaller. Join your friends as you try and survive in a dangerous backyard.
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