11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of their critically acclaimed series: they've announced Frostpunk 1886, a comprehensive remake of the original Frostpunk game, slated for release in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the launch of Frostpunk 2, highlighting the studio's commitment to the franchise. With the original Frostpunk debuting in 2018, the upcoming remake marks nearly a decade since players first ventured into its icy world.
Frostpunk is a unique city-building survival video game set in an alternate late 19th-century world, where players must construct and manage a city amidst a global volcanic winter. The game challenges players to make tough decisions on resource management, survival tactics, and exploration for survivors and essential items beyond their city's borders.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a stellar 9/10, praising it as an "engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game" that deftly mixes various themes and gameplay elements. On the other hand, Frostpunk 2 received an 8/10, with IGN noting its "larger scale is less intimate but more socially and politically complex than the original" due to a complete overhaul of its city-building mechanics.
Despite the focus on the new project, 11 bit studios has reassured fans that it will continue to support Frostpunk 2 with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLC. The shift to Frostpunk 1886 comes as the studio's proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both the original Frostpunk and This War of Mine, is no longer in development. The team has been seeking a new engine to further the legacy of the first game, and they've chosen Unreal Engine 5 for this endeavor.
According to 11 bit, "Frostpunk 1886 — named to honor a pivotal moment in the game’s universe when the Great Storm descended upon New London — is not just a visual upgrade. It builds upon the original's core, introducing new content, mechanics, laws, and an exciting new Purpose path, providing a fresh experience even for seasoned players. Reimagining Frostpunk in Unreal Engine also paves the way for it to become a living, expandable platform, fulfilling long-awaited community requests like mod support and allowing for future DLC content."
The studio envisions a future where both Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve simultaneously, "two paths forged in parallel, each carrying the vision of survival into unrelenting cold." Alongside these projects, 11 bit studios is also working on The Alters, set to release in June, showcasing their ongoing commitment to delivering engaging and innovative gaming experiences.
