11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of the Frostpunk series, announcing the development of Frostpunk 1886, a remake of the original game set to launch in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the release of Frostpunk 2, and nearly a decade after the debut of the first Frostpunk in 2018.
Frostpunk is renowned for its unique blend of city-building and survival gameplay, set in an alternate history of the late 19th century. Players are tasked with managing a city during a global volcanic winter, making critical decisions on resource management, survival strategies, and exploring the surrounding areas for survivors and essential supplies.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a 9/10, praising it as "an engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game" that masterfully combines various thematic elements. Frostpunk 2, while receiving an 8/10, was noted for its "ground-up rethinking of its ice-age city builder mechanics," offering a larger but less intimate experience with increased social and political complexity.
Despite the focus on the new remake, 11 bit studios remains committed to Frostpunk 2, promising ongoing updates, free major content expansions, a console launch, and additional DLCs. The shift to Frostpunk 1886 marks a significant transition as the studio moves away from its proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both the original Frostpunk and This War of Mine, to the more advanced Unreal Engine 5.
Frostpunk 1886 is not just a visual upgrade; it introduces new content, mechanics, laws, and an entirely new Purpose path, promising a fresh experience even for veteran players. The use of Unreal Engine 5 also paves the way for mod support, a feature long requested by the community but previously unattainable due to technical constraints of the original engine. This engine change also opens up possibilities for future DLC content, making the game a living, expandable platform.
11 bit studios envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve concurrently, offering two distinct paths that both explore the theme of survival in the face of unrelenting cold. Alongside these projects, the studio is also working on The Alters, slated for release in June.
This strategic move by 11 bit studios not only honors the legacy of Frostpunk but also pushes the boundaries of what fans can expect from this beloved franchise.
