One of the main objectives of the main quest “Networking” in Grounded 2 is to enter the Network Center, a seemingly simple task that can actually be quite time-consuming. The path leading to the Network Center is filled with twists and turns, powerful bosses blocking the way, as well as puzzles that need to be solved before players can progress.
Upgrade to Tier 3 weapons and armor, stock up on food, healing items, and water, and empty out your backpack before venturing deeper into the Network Center. This is a lengthy quest that requires adequate preparation.
How to Enter the Network Center in Grounded 2
Follow the quest marker to Statue: Southern Ascent, the entrance to a white pipe filled with O.R.C. controlled creatures. Progress through the pipe until you reach a junction where one path branches to the right. You’ll find an O.R.C. Cockroach called Major Diesel guarding the right entrance. Defeat Major Diesel and continue down the right tunnel until reaching a locked door.
There is a breakage in the pipe just before the locked door, with a dead root blocking the way. Chop through the obstruction using your Red Soldier Ant Buggy to take this shortcut. This will lead you to the Statue front steps maze.
From the maze entrance, go straight until you see the Ruby Ring. From here, turn left and keep going in a straight line. Immediately after you see the O.R.C. Red Soldier Ant, turn right and then right again to get out of the maze and into the flower bed.
Behind the red ball in the flower garden, you’ll see a thick green water pipe with a yellow stripe running along its length. Follow this water pipe to the right while keeping your eye on the hedges to the left.
A named O.R.C. Northern Scorpion called Captain Nitro will be standing guard on a thick tree root on the left. Defeat Captain Nitro and chop through the dead root behind it to continue towards the Network Center.
Climb the tree roots behind on the other side of the hedge until you reach an Ominent facility that serves as one of the entrances of the Network Center. When you enter, the mysterious stranger will inform you that she has disabled this shortcut, and you’ll have to find another way if you want to reach her. Stock up on bandages and snack bars if needed, and use the water cooler here to fill up your water meter before continuing onward.
Exit the locked Network Center entrance and turn back. There is a tree branch that goes underneath the Ominent facility. Follow this path on your buggy until you encounter an O.R.C. Red Soldier Ant.
Defeat the Ant and break through the dead root behind it to come out on the other side of the hedge. Continue onward, and the path will lead you back into the hedge where an O.R.C. Orb Weaver is waiting in ambush. Defeat it, and continue onward through another dead root that leads you down to a concrete slab with a red ribbon.
Follow the tree branches down toward the concrete slab. Here, you’ll see Lieutenant Blade, an O.R.C. Praying Mantis Nymph standing guard on the red ribbon.
After it is defeated, climb the red ribbon as it curves upwards, and you’ll find yourself back inside the hedges.
Follow the tree branch to find another Ominent facility. Climb the tree branch that curves above the facility, and keep going until you see a large maple leaf that connects the tree to the concrete platform above.
Jump on the rusty nail, then onto the small tree branch to your left to reach the top of the platform. Ahead of you, you’ll be able to see a ladder going up. Take the ladder to finally reach the Network Center.
How to Restore the Network Center in Grounded 2
Progressing through the Network Center will eventually lead you to the third floor, where the path ahead is locked until you restore the power to the facility. Here is what you need to do:
Obtain the Network Center Access Pass from the dead Ominent Worker lying beside the glass door on the balcony. Then, facing the access terminal, turn left and use the Access Pass to unlock the metal doors.
On the far side of this corridor is a whiteboard with a bright purple X on it. The glass floor right beside it is broken, allowing you to enter. Jump down below the floor and crouch.
The goal here is to fix the broken wiring. A bright yellow spark coming off the live wire and a buzzing sound indicate where the wiring is faulty. Fix all three spots and return to the corridor through the broken glass panel.
Directly to your right is a switch that you can now push to bring the power from this location back online.
Go back to the terminal room, and enter the door on the other side.
First, turn left to find the second switch at the end of the corridor in front of another whiteboard. Activate it, and return to the main area.
The main path leading to the other end of the corridor is blocked by thick cables. However, just to its right, the metal panelling has a hole you can enter through. Do so, and you’ll emerge into a room with the third switch.
Turn the switch on and return to the main room. Interact with the terminal to open the room leading to the boss fight with the masked stranger.
Grounded 2
- Released
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2025
- ESRB
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Teen / Violence, Blood
- Publisher(s)
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Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
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Online Co-Op
- Prequel(s)
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Grounded
- Number of Players
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Single-player
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