Gamezone Philippines: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Gaming Spots and Experiences

Walking through the digital landscape of Grounded 2’s Creative mode, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment wash over me—not because the game isn’t visually stunning or conceptually ambitious, but because something crucial was missing. As someone who has spent years exploring gaming hubs across the Philippines, from Manila’s bustling e-sports arenas to Cebu’s cozy indie cafés, I’ve come to appreciate how environment shapes experience. And here, in this highly anticipated sequel, the absence of meaningful water-based gameplay stood out like an empty chair at a full table. The map, while expansive and rich with detail in so many ways, frustratingly lacks any deep-water sections, offering only a few muddy puddles to play in. It’s a curious omission, especially when I recall the first Grounded title, which featured a huge koi pond teeming with life—and yes, more than a few scary critters lurking in its shadowy depths. That pond wasn’t just eye candy; it was a centerpiece for adventure, a place where tension and beauty coexisted. In Grounded 2, I went searching for something similar, hoping to set up the base of my and my daughter’s new virtual abode near such an aquatic wonder. But after combing through Creative mode’s options, I came up dry. It felt like planning a trip to one of the Philippines’ famous island getaways, only to find the ocean had been replaced by wading pools.

Now, don’t get me wrong—Grounded 2 has plenty to offer, and as an avid gamer who’s logged over 200 hours across various survival and creative titles, I can see the potential bubbling under the surface. The developers have clearly prioritized certain elements, and water gameplay seems to be on the docket for later during early access, much like Creative’s missing decor and other recipes. From a development standpoint, that’s fair enough; early access is all about iteration and community feedback. But as a player who leans heavily into creative building and immersive environmental storytelling, this gap leaves me hesitant to fully recommend the game right now. Think of it like visiting a highly-rated gaming lounge in Quezon City only to find half the PCs are still being set up—you can still have fun, but the experience isn’t complete. In my playthrough, I tried to compensate by focusing on land-based structures and terrain manipulation, yet the world felt quieter, less dynamic without those aquatic risks and rewards. Water in games isn’t just eye candy; it’s a gameplay multiplier. It introduces physics puzzles, navigation challenges, and that eerie, beautiful uncertainty of what lies beneath. In the original, that koi pond was a masterclass in atmosphere. Here, its absence is palpable.

Reflecting on my time with Grounded 2, I’m reminded of why the Philippine gaming scene has thrived—it’s not just about hardware or graphics, but the richness of shared experiences. Whether you’re battling it out in a Mobile Legends tournament at a Manila arcade or exploring virtual worlds from a humble internet shop in Davao, depth matters. And right now, Grounded 2’s Creative mode lacks that depth, literally and figuratively. I estimate that water-based content could elevate player engagement by as much as 30–40%, based on my observations of similar early-access titles that expanded their environmental features post-launch. Of course, that’s a rough guess, but it underscores a point: for players like me who crave holistic worlds, this sequel isn’t yet the must-have follow-up. I’ll keep an eye on updates, because the foundation is strong—the art direction is gorgeous, the sound design immersive, and the building mechanics smoother than ever. But until those watery depths make their debut, I’d suggest creative-focused gamers temper their excitement. There’s a great game here in the making, but for now, it’s waiting for the tide to come in.