The ‘Toxic Tangle’ update for Grounded 2 is now live, and we have the full patch notes. From ladybug mounts to new areas and threats, it’s all listed here.
After a showing during this month’s New Game + showcase, the Toxic Tangle update for Grounded 2 is now live. Some highlights of this update for Obsidian’s early access title include:
- Ladybug Mounts
- A giant snake that you can ride like a train
- New area in the Garden
- New threats
- and much, much more
You can find a launch trailer for the update at the top of this page as well. Grounded 2 was released last year in early access after being announced during the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase in June of that year. Keep an eye on Xbox Era for further coverage of the title as we move towards its eventual 1.0 release.
In our Review-In-Progress, our EIC Jon Clarke stated:
If you’re a fan of the original game, I’d say there’s nothing ground(ed) breaking here. In fact, it’s very easy to like Grounded 2 because in many ways, it’s the first game again, albeit at a much bigger scale, with new mysteries to solve and an entirely new map to explore and survive in. The core strengths of the original are here and intact, from the gorgeous world and solid survival mechanics, to another intriguing story to unpack, but I can’t help but feel there should have been more from the start that feels truly new. Still, it is a lot of fun, and as we begin another early access journey, this peblet and clay foundation is pretty solid – I can’t wait to see what else is in store.
Ominent’s experiments have taken a sour turn, and a strange new corruption is spreading across Brookhollow Park. Tang now stains the soil, seeps into water, and clings to unsuspecting creatures—and it’s up to you to survive whatever’s brewing beneath the surface.
Welcome to The Toxic Tangle, the first major content update for Grounded 2, available now for all players. This update expands the park with a new biome, new creatures, armor and weapons, trinkets, building sets, and a few threats that may be more than they appear.
A Whole New Garden
Overgrown vines choke the greenhouse, creating twisting paths and hidden crawlspaces. These massive monstrosities and staggering structures all combine to produce that ‘how do I get up there?’ moment. The Garden biome is ripe for exploration, stacked with vertical climbs, secret stashes, and probably a bug or two you didn’t see coming.
From the pumpkin patch to the carrot jungle, every corner offers something to harvest, hoard, or accidentally aggro. It’s big, it’s messy, and it’s absolutely crawling with trouble. Bring your best gear—and maybe a backup plan.
The Ladybug Buggy Rolls In
One of Grounded’s most iconic bugs is finally rideable—and she’s not here to play nice.
The Ladybug Buggy is a heavy-duty, tank-style mount equipped with a pressurized water cannon. Use it to blast airborne pests out of the sky, rinse away sour Tang buildup, or just give your enemies a bad day. It can also ram headfirst into foes with a powerful charge and slowly regenerates health over time.
If you ever jumped on a ladybug in the first Grounded and wished you could stay there, this one’s for you.
New Threats (and Familiar Faces)
The Garden is full of life, but not all of it wants to share the space.
New creatures like the coordinated Earwigs, the bulky Potato Beetles, and the soon-to-be fan-favorite, the Woolly Aphid, will challenge your reflexes, your timing, and your trust in anything with antennae.
You might also want to keep your eyes open. The Masked Stranger may have retreated after your first encounter, but she’s not gone—and she may not be alone.
Oh, and the Snake Colossus? You’ll know it when you see it. Probably right before it sees you.
Mutation Updates, BUILD.M Upgrades and More
Mutations have leveled up. They’re now split into active and passive types—actives still work the way you know and love, but passives now apply automatically based on your weapon loadout. That means less menu juggling and more time doing cool stuff, like perfect blocking a Tang-covered Rust Beetle or showing off your hybrid build mid-fight.
And for all the architects, decorators, and “I-just-need-one-more-wall-piece” players out there, this update’s for you. The builder toolkit gets a serious upgrade with new kits like the Pumpkin Set, a refreshed Mushroom Kit, Scale Roof Set, updated Acorn Stairs, and a community request for floor hatches. It’s all about more pieces, better parity between sets, and smoother snapping to bring your backyard blueprints to life.
Whether you’re crafting a greenhouse hideout, a pumpkin fortress, or a garden party palace, we can’t wait to see what you build—and share. Tag us, drop it in Discord, or show it off wherever you hang out. We’ll be watching (with admiration, not binoculars).
The Garden MIX.R and O.R.C. wave challenges are also live, ready for anyone who thinks they’re tough enough to survive the swarm.
Lastly, the Founder’s Pack also grows with this update, adding new base-building items like the High Roller’s Dice Bag, Champion’s Banner, and more ways to personalize your park adventure.
What’s Next?
Alongside this update, we’re preparing for the return of Playgrounds Mode, entering PTB (Public Test Beta) in February with all the core tools from the first Grounded. Whether you’re building mini-games, boss arenas, or custom gauntlets, Playgrounds will give creators the tools they need to thrive. To keep an eye on what’s coming to Brookhollow Park, be sure to check out our updated roadmap for a sneak peek at what’s in store for Grounded 2.
There’s never been a better time to shrink down, suit up, and explore the weirdest corners of Brookhollow Park. The Toxic Tangle update for Grounded 2 is available now
A Message from the Scientists at Ominent
Welcome back, Ranger. Ominent Practical Technologies has officially expanded operations into the Garden Patch, and with it comes new tools, new threats, and several things Corporate insists are “completely under control.”https://www.youtube.com/embed/4p2f1EwEqKc
In this Developer Vlog, Lead Community Scientist Employee 347 walks you through what’s arriving with this new update — from quality-of-life upgrades to unsettling new discoveries lurking among the leaves.
Learn about:
🌱 The Garden Patch — a brand-new area featuring three new labs as Ominent expands its operational footprint
🔍 PEEP.R 2K — upgraded SCA.B technology for scanning insects, gathering data, tracking materials, and zooming in on distant discoveries
🏠 Coziness — decorate offices, labs, and field outposts to earn morale-boosting perks, with multiple reward tiers planned
🐞 Ladybug Buggy — ongoing research into insect domestication and mounted utilities
🧪 New Status Effect: Tang — research into corrosion and acid exposure (results may vary by intern)
🐜 New Creatures — including Black Ants, Fireflies, Wasps, Rust Beetles, Potato Beetles, Earwigs, Crickets, Wooly Aphids… and something much bigger
From upgraded research tools to cozy base incentives and unsettling new wildlife, The Toxic Tangle brings fresh challenges and discoveries to Brookhollow Park. Ominent thanks you for your continued service and reminds you to complete your self-evaluation forms in a timely manner.
Good luck out there, Ranger. And please remember: Ominent is not liable for injuries involving acid, corrosion, stingers, or unpaid interns.
The full patch notes should be available HERE soon (they were not ready yet at the time of this reporting)
How do you feel about this latest update for Grounded 2? Let us know in the XboxEra Forums or make some noise in the lively XboxEra Community Discord Server. If you’re looking to be a bigger part of an amazing community, then either choice is a good one!
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