Book it if
You want a friendly survival game with a story, a strong setting, and a clear end point for four players.
Skip it if
You want to play with more than four friends or spend as little as possible.
Trip sheet
- Crew size
- 1–4 players
- Online
- Yes
- Crossplay
- Yes
- Split-screen
- No
- Solo
- Fully playable solo
- Voice chat
- Optional
- Danger
- Tense
1The pitch
Four teenagers wake up shrunk down in a backyard, where grass is a forest and a wolf spider is a nightmare. You gather grass, sap, and bug parts to build bases and gear, while following a story about how you ended up tiny. It left Early Access on September 27, 2022.
2Playing together
Online co-op supports up to 4 players. Crossplay works through Xbox network accounts with Xbox and other PC versions, and later console ports joined crossplay. There is no split-screen.
3Roles in the squad
Groups usually split into a builder, a gatherer, and fighters who handle the bugs. Boss fights and dangerous areas need everyone together. An arachnophobia option exists for squad members who need it.
4Look & sound
Everyday objects at giant scale make the backyard a memorable setting, from juice boxes to sprinkler heads. Bright colors keep it friendly, while the underground areas get properly creepy. Sound cues tell you which insect is nearby.
5Setup & value
It costs $39.99 on Steam for Windows, with each player needing a copy, which makes it the most expensive game here. Steam lists it as Verified on Steam Deck. A sequel exists, but the original remains a complete game.
Best bits
- Memorable backyard setting
- Story and bosses give clear goals
- Crossplay with Xbox
- Arachnophobia mode
Watch out
- Capped at 4 players
- Highest price on this list
- Resource grinding in the mid-game
Score sheet
- Teamwork 25%
- 82
- Fun as a squad 25%
- 86
- Easy to join 15%
- 84
- Replay 20%
- 74
- Value 15%
- 80
82 × 25% + 86 × 25% + 84 × 15% + 74 × 20% + 80 × 15% = 81.40 → 81
Trip report verdict
Verdict
“Grounded has the most memorable setting on this list and a story that keeps a group of four moving. Its four-player cap and higher price hold it back against cheaper, roomier survival games.”
By the Squad Play Review editorial desk · Updated 6 Oct 2026 · How we score · Report an error
