Activating the Mysterious Machine in Grounded triggers a sudden blast at the base of the massive oak tree, marking a major turning point in early story progression. This event draws players toward an underground facility that holds essential answers about their miniaturized status. Learning how to navigate the area around the oak tree safely will ensure you complete this foundational quest without losing valuable progress.
Reaching the Oak Tree Location
Once the blast occurs, a distinct trail of purple smoke rises from the northern side of the yard near the large oak tree. Navigating toward this landmark requires caution, as dangerous creatures frequently patrol the surrounding roots and fallen leaves. Keeping a safe distance from aggressive spiders will make your approach much smoother.
As you near the base of the oak, locate the visible plume of smoke hovering over a hidden entrance buried beneath debris. Clearing away the surrounding obstacles reveals a metallic door leading directly into the subterranean facility. Entering this passage transitions the objective from exploration to active facility investigation.
Exploring the Oak Lab Ruins
The interior of the Oak Lab displays significant structural damage caused by the recent explosion, leaving several pathways blocked by rubble. Proceeding through the primary corridor will bring you into direct contact with automated security units that defend the interior. Defeating these hostile robots unlocks access to deeper chambers containing valuable resources.
Searching the side rooms provides extra utility, including raw science pickups and hidden resource vaults located near shorted-out electrical components. Interacting with nearby control terminals allows players to open shortcut doors that simplify future visits to this central hub. Taking time to clear every accessible room ensures you gather all available early-game advantages.
Rallying BURG.L and Unlocking Core Systems
Deep inside the facility, players will discover BURG.L, a friendly robot helper lying unconscious on the floor after the blast. Interacting with BURG.L restores his power systems and initiates a dialogue detailing the overarching narrative of the yard. He serves as your main contact for acquiring new crafting recipes and story progression objectives.
To complete the mystery, register your DNA using the biometric scanner positioned next to the primary terminal in the main room. This action links your character to the network, unlocking access to automated terminals across the entire backyard map. Completing this step concludes the initial investigation and opens up new story quests across distant biomes.
