Obsidian Entertainment’sGroundedis thevideo game version ofHoney I Shrunk the Kids. It’s a survival title that miniaturizes players and asks them to survive in a backyard environment that is filled with mystery and a ton of threats.
While the game itself is focused on the pillars of the survival genre like crafting and base-building, the combat inGroundedputs an overarching sense of progression on top of the experience. Fighting insects and other enemies starts out as an exercise in futility, but eventually, fully equipped players will be able to make quick work of the more imposing threats.
RELATED:Grounded is Out Now in Early Access
But arguably the biggest moment inGroundedis players' first encounter with a spider. For most people, spiders are scary enough at their normal size, but inGroundedthey tower above the player and are downright terrifying. Seeing a spider for the first time is easily one of the most memorable parts ofGroundedand stands right alongside any jump-scare in a horror game.
Grounded smartlyguides players towards a specific area of the mapin order to progress the story/mystery and the developers put a spider just close enough to ensure that most players will run into it. Depending on how players approach, there are a few different ways that the spider encounter can play out, but all are terrifying.
SomeGroundedplayers might hear the spider first before being instantly killed by it. Others might see the grass moving and wonder what type of larger create is able to split the blades to the side. And a select few might decide to test how strong the spider is, and learn that the answer is, “Very strong.”
No matter how the spider encounter inGroundedgoes, the only recourse is to run away. Eventually, through crafting and findingrare items like Ant EggsinGrounded, players might be able to build up a loadout that is capable of taking down a spider. But for the first encounter, players are ill-equipped and outmatched in every sense of the word.
One has to imagine that the spider encounter inGroundedis built as one of the main selling points of the game because of how memorable it is. It may be scary but it also should generate a bit of laughter, as players try to run for their life.Groundedplayers who take on the backyard in co-opmight have a more unique experience, as they watch their friends helplessly try to escape.
There are other merits to Grounded and it’s one of the better games in the survival genre, so those who might be too scared of spiders or actually arachnophobic might be turned off by that possibility. Luckily, Obsidian Entertainment has givenGroundedanArachnophobia Modethat makes the spiders a lot less intimidating. There is also a slider so that players can adjust the intensity of the spider design from making them more realistic to making them look like a bunch of ovals.
Those who can brave the sight of spiders are in store for something unique when playingGrounded. Even if gamers have seen the spider in a stream or YouTube video, there is nothing like coming across an Orb Weaver on your own.
Groundedis in early access on PC and Xbox One.
