11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of the Frostpunk series, announcing Frostpunk 1886, a highly anticipated remake of the original game set to launch in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the release of Frostpunk 2, and with the first Frostpunk having debuted back in 2018, this means the remake will arrive nearly a decade later.
For those unfamiliar, Frostpunk is a unique city-building survival game set in an alternate late 19th-century world engulfed in a volcanic winter. Players are tasked with constructing and managing a city, making crucial decisions on resource management, survival strategies, and exploring the harsh environment for additional survivors and supplies.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk was glowing, awarding it a 9/10 and praising its innovative blend of themes and gameplay, calling it "an engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game." Frostpunk 2, while still well-received, scored slightly lower at 8/10. The review highlighted its "ground-up rethinking of its ice-age city builder mechanics," noting that it's "less intimate but more socially and politically complex than the original."
Despite the focus on the new project, 11 bit studios assures fans that Frostpunk 2 will continue to receive free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLCs. The move to develop Frostpunk 1886 comes after the studio decided to stop developing its proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both Frostpunk and This War of Mine, in favor of Unreal Engine 5 for this new endeavor.
"With the studio’s proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered not only the original Frostpunk but also This War of Mine, no longer in development, the team has long sought a new foundation to carry forward the legacy of the first game," 11 bit explained. The shift to Unreal Engine 5 for Frostpunk 1886 is not just about graphics; it's a comprehensive reimagining that introduces new content, mechanics, laws, and an exciting new Purpose path, ensuring a fresh experience for both new and returning players.
Moreover, the use of Unreal Engine opens up new possibilities, including long-awaited mod support and the potential for future DLC content, transforming Frostpunk into a living, expandable platform. "But Frostpunk 1886 — so titled to honour a pivotal moment in the timeline of the universe, when the Great Storm descended upon New London — is no mere visual overhaul. It builds upon the core of the original, expanding it with new content, mechanics, laws, and — perhaps most excitingly — an entirely new Purpose path, offering a fresh experience even for the most seasoned players," 11 bit stated.
The studio envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve in tandem, "two paths forged in parallel, each carrying the vision of survival into unrelenting cold." In addition to these projects, 11 bit studios is also working on The Alters, set to release in June, further showcasing their commitment to delivering compelling gaming experiences.
