Grounded offers players a distinct experience of battling spiders, collecting resources, and surviving in a backyard at ant size. Initially released by Obsidian Entertainment in 2020 for Xbox and PC, followed by a full release in 2022, the game is now expanding to Switch, PS4, and PS5 in April 2024.
Embracing the concept of shrunken protagonists, a theme popularized by the 1989 movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Grounded follows four teens mysteriously reduced in size in a backyard. Unlike the film, the characters have no memory of how they shrank, turning familiar surroundings into vast landscapes for exploration, promising an exciting adventure on the Nintendo Switch. Yet, the game's upcoming debut on Nintendo's platform carries a subtle irony.
A Scaled-Down Odyssey on the Nintendo Switch
While Grounded seems a natural fit for the portable nature of the Switch, offering solo or cooperative play, concerns arise due to its original design for Xbox and PC. The irony lies in the adaptation process required to optimize Grounded for the Switch, a console known for its unique specifications.
Adapting to Fit the Switch
Like many titles transitioning to the Switch, Grounded may need to sacrifice graphical quality. This transformation can be likened to 'shrinking' the game to suit the Switch's smaller scale, presenting a new challenge for Obsidian Entertainment. Notably, the game appears to run at a lower resolution on the Switch, hinting at compromises in visual fidelity.
Despite resolution constraints, Grounded manages a stable 60 FPS, occasionally dipping during intense combat sequences. Players may anticipate performance modes to balance frame rate and visual quality, an aspect crucial for an optimal gaming experience.
While concerns persist regarding the Switch's graphical capabilities compared to other consoles, early indicators suggest a promising launch for Grounded in April. The game's transition to a smaller platform promises an engaging journey of resource gathering, base construction, and unraveling the mystery behind the characters' diminutive state, ensuring an enjoyable experience for players.