The pond in Brookhollow Park has been closed for over a year. Today, it finally opens—and with it, Grounded 2 arrives on PlayStation 5 for the first time. However, it’s not all straightforward: release times vary across sources, and not everything promised made it into the patch. Here’s a breakdown of what was actually added, what was postponed, and how to download this massive update across all platforms.
Obsidian Entertainment and Eidos-Montréal have rolled out “Into the Abyss”—the second major update for Grounded 2 since its Early Access launch in July 2025. While the first update was more about polishing, this one represents a true deep dive: a new aquatic zone, vehicles, enemies, and mechanics that radically alter the game’s pacing. And yes, this addition isn’t just “more content”—it’s a fundamental shift in focus from surface-level survival to underwater exploration.
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What’s in the “Into the Abyss” update: new biomes, creatures, and mechanics
The star of the show is Skunk Pond, previously just a decorative feature. It is now a fully realized biome complete with murky water, submerged ruins, and underwater bases. The developers have populated it with two new enemy types: koi (massive carp that attack in schools) and diving bell spiders (which build air domes and lie in wait for ambushes). You’d best not venture in without a wetsuit and diving gear—standard armor is useless underwater.
But the most exciting addition is the vehicle. Forget ziplines and walking; you can now ride the “Toe-biter Buggy”—a giant water bug that outpaces any land vehicle in the game. It can both swim and dive, and its sharp proboscis is used to harvest resources from the lakebed. In addition, a Pneumatic Transit System (PTS) has been introduced—a network of pipes allowing players to zip between underwater bases in the blink of an eye. This is a real game-changer for the meta: bases can now be located underwater rather than just on land, and logistics becomes a matter of strategic planning rather than constant running around.
The developers haven’t neglected the “land” side of things, either: they’ve improved ziplines, added new weapon blueprints, and introduced the ability to craft underwater traps. Plus, cross-play is now fully functional across all platforms. It looks like Obsidian has succeeded in creating an update that appeals equally to newcomers and veterans alike.
Update release details and download info: platforms and pricing
Here’s where it gets interesting. Obsidian’s official blog lists the date as August 11, 2026, with a time of 18:00 UTC. However, the PlayStation Store page for PS5 shows 20:00 Moscow time (which corresponds to 17:00 UTC)—a one-hour discrepancy. We checked: the official FAQ on the developer’s site confirms 18:00 UTC, whereas the PS Store appears to be displaying the local time zone without conversion. So, expect the update around 21:00 Moscow time—and don’t panic if it hasn’t appeared by 20:00. The game should pick up the patch automatically upon launch, though restarting the client is recommended for large files. Here is a summary table of platforms, prices, and access methods:
The update is free for anyone who has already purchased the game. Newcomers will need to buy the full version. And yes, the PS5 version features a separate set of trophies, giving completionists another reason to dive in.
What’s next—when can we expect the full release out of Early Access?
Judging by the update cadence, this “tribute to the fans” is likely just an intermediate step. The first major update arrived three months after the Early Access launch, and the second followed five months later. If this pattern holds, the next (and possibly final) update—bringing the game to version 1.0—should be expected between December 2026 and January 2027. However, this is currently just speculation; official roadmaps lack specifics, offering only a vague promise to “continue expanding the world.” One thing is certain, though: Brookhollow Park will live on and accumulate new mysteries for a long time to come.
The update is available for download now. If you’re on PS5, the game awaits you in the PlayStation Store for $29.99 (or for free if you already own the Xbox version and participate in the cross-buy program—yes, that option exists too). Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers receive the update automatically. Dive in—and keep an eye out for announcements: the underwater depths of Brookhollow Park hold more than meets the eye.
