11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of the Frostpunk series: they've announced Frostpunk 1886, a remake of the original game, slated for release in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the launch of Frostpunk 2, showcasing the studio's commitment to evolving this beloved franchise. With the first Frostpunk having debuted in 2018, the upcoming remake will mark nearly a decade since its initial release.
Frostpunk is a unique city-building survival game set in an alternate history of the late 19th century. Players are tasked with constructing and sustaining a city amidst a global volcanic winter, managing scarce resources, making tough survival decisions, and venturing beyond the city limits to find survivors, resources, and other vital items.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a solid 9/10, praising it as, “Frostpunk deftly mixes a variety of thematic ideas and gameplay elements into an engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game.” Meanwhile, Frostpunk 2 received an 8/10, with IGN noting, "Thanks to a ground-up rethinking of its ice-age city builder mechanics, Frostpunk 2's larger scale is less intimate but more socially and politically complex than the original."
11 bit studios remains dedicated to supporting Frostpunk 2 with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLCs, even as they embark on the development of Frostpunk 1886. The studio's proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both the original Frostpunk and This War of Mine, is no longer in use, prompting the team to seek a new engine to continue the legacy of the first game.
The decision to use Unreal Engine 5 for Frostpunk 1886 is a significant step forward. This engine not only enhances the visual experience but also allows for the game to become a living, expandable platform. This includes the much-requested mod support, which was previously unattainable due to the technical constraints of the original engine, as well as the potential for future DLC content.
The title Frostpunk 1886 pays homage to a crucial moment in the game's universe—the Great Storm that descended upon New London. This remake is far more than a visual upgrade; it expands on the original game with new content, mechanics, laws, and an entirely new Purpose path, promising a fresh experience for both new and veteran players.
11 bit studios envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve in tandem, each offering a unique take on survival in the unforgiving cold. Alongside these projects, the studio is also working on The Alters, set to be released in June, further showcasing their dedication to delivering compelling gaming experiences.
