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The Grounding

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2020

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Quick resume

If she catches you, she kills you. Smoke 6 times without getting killed.

Global score

89/100

Genres

Indie

Pros

  • Effective jump scares
  • Unique thematic narrative
  • Short and replayable
  • Atmospheric graphics and sound
  • Free or low cost

Cons

  • Short game length
  • Teleporting mother ai issues
  • Limited gameplay depth
  • Lack of polish in enemy movement
  • Removed community features and memes

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    3

    "Players have freedom to explore rooms and choose when to approach blunts, but must follow stealth mechanics to avoid the mother."

  • Competence
    2

    "Requires skillful timing and stealth to avoid instant death from the teleporting mother, with some challenge in navigation."

  • Competition
    -4

    "Focus is on individual play and personal achievement; no evidence of player-vs-player or ranked competition."

  • Continuation
    3

    "Players report multiple playthroughs and speedrunning attempts, indicating desire to replay despite short length."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

  • Creativity
    2

    "Game features unique thematic elements and narrative creativity, but gameplay follows a fixed stealth pattern."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over other players; interactions are with AI only."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game as a scary, immersive distraction and stress relief, often playing to experience jump scares."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and personal interest, no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting
    1

    "Some exploration of different rooms and strategies, but core gameplay loop is repetitive and fixed."

  • Exploration
    2

    "Players explore multiple distinct rooms with thematic differences and hidden lore elements."

  • Expression
    -4

    "No character customization or player-driven aesthetic changes reported."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Game includes surreal and exaggerated elements like teleporting mother and abstract narrative themes."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No social or community features; experience is solitary."

  • Growth
    2

    "Players develop stealth and timing skills to improve performance, though limited learning depth."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention due to sudden jump scares and instant death mechanics."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles present."

  • Progression
    3

    "Progression through collecting six blunts and unlocking the ending, though game is short and linear."

  • Relaxation
    -3

    "High tension and jump scares create sustained alertness rather than relaxation."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Jump scares and atmospheric audio-visuals provide strong sensory stimulation and emotional excitement."

  • Status
    -4

    "No social recognition or leaderboard systems; focus is on personal experience."

  • Story
    3

    "Narrative and lore are emphasized with symbolic paintings and thematic storytelling."

  • Strategy
    2

    "Requires planning routes and timing to avoid the mother, but overall mechanics are simple."

  • Thrill
    5

    "Jump scares and unpredictable enemy teleportation create strong suspense and thrill."

  • Value
    3

    "Players appreciate the game as a free or low-cost horror experience with replay value."

  • Violence
    2

    "Includes violent death from mother character and jump scares, but no player-inflicted violence."

  • Survival
    4

    "Core gameplay revolves around avoiding death and surviving until all objectives are completed."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026