Beginner's Guide - Basics and Features - Grounded Guide - IGN (2024)

Grounded is a survival game from Obsidian Entertainment, where you take on the role of a shrunken teenager. In this beginner's guide, we'll cover the general story, the basic features, the gameplay overview, and more. If you're looking for more detailed information on any element of the game, be sure to check out the individual dedicated pages in this guide.

Looking for specific information? Use the links below to jump to the information:

• Grounded's Story
• Game Modes
• Hunting and Crafting Basics
  • Managing Hunger and Thirst
  • Build Safe Places
• Find Chips to Unlock Recipes
• Mutations and Perks

Grounded's Story

The game begins with a news report that says some teenagers have mysteriously gone missing. These are Max, Willow, Pete and Hoops, the four available characters you can choose from. There aren't any differences in gameplay between the four, just in their personality - so choose whoever you wish!

It turns out they've been shrunken, and whoever you choose as your character soon awakes to find themself inside a giant briefcase. With the use of science, you'll have to find a way to help them survive the treacherous backyard, get back home, and to their true size.

Single Player and Multiplayer Modes

You can choose to take on the yard by yourself or work alongside friends to complete objectives. Each yard can have up to 4 players at once, all representing a different character. In multiplayer mode, you can host your own yard or join someone else's.

Check out: How to Play With Friends (Multiplayer) for a more detailed explanation of hosting yards and sharing saves.

Hunt and Craft to Survive

As soon as you land in the yard, you'll be prompted to begin hunting and crafting. The first part of the walkthrough focuses on how to find food, water, and craft tools so you can make use of your surroundings. Resource management and keeping an eye on your thirst and hunger levels are essential for the first few days as you get familiar with your surroundings.

Your SCA.B device will help you locate Field Stations. These are places where you can analyze materials, which you'll want to do to unlock recipes for crafting weapons, buildings, armor and food. To do this, pick up objects with E and take them to the Field Station to scan them into the Analyzer.

Once you've unlocked some basic tools such as a Pebblet Axe and Pebblet Hammer, you can begin to chop down grass, smash rocks and expand the type of resources you can analyze. Each time you do this, you'll also gain Raw Science, which not only unlocks more recipes but can also be used for upgrades later on.

Looking to find out more about getting those initial tools? Check out:

• How to Get An Axe
• How to Get Rank 1 Tools and Weapons

Managing Hunger and Thirst

A big part of the game is thinking about your thirst and hunger levels. These will get easier to manage as you unlock recipes and are able to create objects to store these essentials such as Canteens.

As you begin to venture further out into the field, preparing by crafting or cooking food will be key to your survival. First, you'll want to create a Roasting Spit that will allow you to cook raw meat. This you can pick up from slaying little bugs like Weevils around the yard. As you unlock more recipes, you'll be able to create Grinders, Smoothie Stations and even an Oven to create bigger, better and more fulfilling meals.

Take a look at the dedicated pages on food and water for more information:

• How to Cook Food
• How to Get Water

Build Safe Places

At the start of the game, a Lean-To will be essential for getting a good night's sleep and avoiding the dangers of the dark. Use Lean-Tos as respawn points, particularly if you're venturing into more dangerous and unfamiliar territory.

You'll begin being able to craft shelters from Grass Planks, but as you progress, you'll unlock stronger materials that mean you can build a fortified base. Take the time to build a solid foundation and have all of the equipment necessary to craft higher-tier weapons, armor and building materials.

Find Chips to Unlock Recipes

Not only will you need to find Super Chips as part of the main story missions, but you'll also find a number of BURG.L Chips scattered around various locations in the backyard. Make a point of finding more than just the Super Chips, to expand your knowledge and the recipes you can craft.

Want to find them all? See: BURGL Chip Locations

Mutations and Perks

You can upgrade your teenager and apply different buffs to them throughout your journey in the backyard. Some of these can be purchased, while others can be unlocked by performing actions over and over again or defeating bosses.

You'll start by being able to have 2 active perks, but can eventually have 5 active perks equipped.

Want to know more? Take a look at All Mutations and Best Mutations.