11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of the Frostpunk series: they've announced 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. The first Frostpunk game, which debuted in 2018, will see its remake nearly a decade later.
For this ambitious project, 11 bit studios is harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5. Frostpunk is renowned for its unique blend of city-building and survival gameplay, set in an alternate 19th-century world enduring a volcanic winter. Players must construct and manage a city, make tough survival decisions, and explore the surrounding areas for resources and survivors.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a stellar 9/10, praising its mix of thematic ideas and gameplay, describing it as "an engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game." Frostpunk 2, while slightly less warmly received with an 8/10, was commended for its "ground-up rethinking of its ice-age city builder mechanics," offering a more expansive but less intimate experience compared to its predecessor.
Despite the new project, 11 bit studios remains committed to Frostpunk 2, promising updates, DLC, and a console launch. The studio explained that with the cessation of development on their proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both Frostpunk and This War of Mine, they sought a new engine to continue the legacy of the first game. Unreal Engine 5 provides this foundation, allowing for not just a visual upgrade but also new content, mechanics, laws, and an entirely new "Purpose path" for Frostpunk 1886. This new path aims to offer a fresh experience even for seasoned players.
The title Frostpunk 1886 honors a pivotal moment in the game's universe, the Great Storm's descent upon New London. This remake isn't just a visual overhaul; it's an evolution of the original game, incorporating long-awaited mod support and the potential for future DLC content.
11 bit studios envisions a future where both Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve together, offering parallel paths of survival in an unrelenting cold environment. Alongside these projects, the studio is also working on The Alters, expected to release in June.
