10 Best Open-World Video Games Of 2022

Slipping somewhat under the radar this year because it's been in early access since 2020, Grounded finally had its full release in 2022.

Shrinking players down to half the size of an ant, Grounded takes place in the player’s literal backyard as they do what they can to survive a world that they have no place in. Of course, the game certainly gets points for novelty and there’s lots of cool twists on the survival genre using the premise. Hunger and thirst are satiated with water droplets and bug meat, and players defend themselves by crafting weapons out of sticks and rocks.

More than that though, Grounded has a very interesting ecosystem that the player becomes a part of the more they play. Of course, apex predators like spiders will attack on sight and should be avoided but other insects can be harvested, lead players to resources and have some pretty interesting AI depending on player action.

Obsidian Entertainment’s wealth of experience gives Grounded a wonderful sense of charm and, all jokes aside, a unique sense of scale about its open-world and its inhabitants. For a genre littered with large-scale maps, towers and often gargantuan enemies; Grounded goes the other way completely with a small, personal affair and is all the better for it.