Is Frostpunk 2 Giving You The Chills? Find Warmth Beneath The Idea Tree – Kotaku
“What would I do if I was stuck in a frozen wasteland and had to build a society with dwindling resources and a hostile environment?”
It’s a question many of us probably haven’t thought about. Unless, you’re a fan of Frostpunk, the city-building survival strategy game released in 2018. Set in an icy, post-apocalyptic world where the last remnants of humanity cling to life near a giant, ever-present steam core, you are the leader tasked with making impossible decisions, juggling the needs of your society against the dwindling resources and encroaching dangers.
I won’t spoil any plot points, but let’s just say those choices are pretty difficult. It doesn’t help that the game uses its oppressive art style and soundtrack to drive home just how bleak everything is.
The announcement of Frostpunk 2— set 30 years after the events of the first game—was a welcome surprise for fans, although we are still left wondering how developer 11 bit studios plans to tackle this follow-up. We still haven’t gotten any official confirmation of a release date or details about how this new entry in the Frostpunk series will unfold. The studio, however, gave us a few hints.
We Know More About The World
While the setting remains similar to the first game—we’re still in the middle of an unending winter—the events of the first Frostpunk will directly influence the game’s setting, specifically its lore and how the characters react to the cold and harsh world around them.
Frostpunk 2 introduces the concept of “The New World.” This concept, described by game director Jakub Stokalski as a “slightly less desperate” region to the north, with fertile land and a growing community of survivors. However, this idyllic vision isn’t exactly true—in fact, The New World has been a subject of some controversy among the game’s community.
The official trailer for Frostpunk 2, released last year, paints a picture of this “New World,” and we can tell from what little we’ve been shown so far that its history, inhabitants, and struggles will add a new layer of complexity to the already compelling story presented in the first game. But will it truly be “less desperate”? Only time will tell.
Here’s what we know from Frostpunk 2’s developers:
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It won’t be set directly after the first game; the action takes place 30 years later.
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The story focuses on a new set of characters and includes an expansive narrative, branching storylines, and intriguing relationships with different factions within the frozen world.
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New technology that appears to include machines and advanced technology in addition to steam-powered devices.
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The developers claim the gameplay will “be a fresh experience for returning players.”
New Worlds and New Ways To Survive
If you’ve played the first Frostpunk, you’re probably aware of its heavy focus on societal management and its emphasis on harsh choices. That won’t be changing, it seems, with new aspects added to create new problems and new challenges, forcing players to consider new approaches.
These are some of the most promising new elements the developers have hinted at for Frostpunk 2:
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**New challenges:** The devs haven’t explained what new challenges are on the horizon for Frostpunk 2, but they did promise more exploration, a bigger map, and a “complex society” that requires different approaches to management and development.
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**Politics, conflict, and alliances:** In this cold and harsh world, where every resource matters, there will inevitably be conflict. We can expect factions and other groups that players can work with—and against. 11 bit studios has revealed that Frostpunk 2 will have a new approach to its societal structure. This means we’re likely going to see much more complex political dynamics and a whole lot of alliances.
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**Resources, development, and research:** It wouldn’t be Frostpunk without having to worry about your community’s well-being. With more complicated politics and societal dynamics to consider, expect plenty of choices that can potentially hurt or benefit your community in surprising ways.
As you can tell, it’s difficult to piece together what Frostpunk 2 is shaping up to be. 11 bit Studios isn’t saying much—the only hint so far has been in their tagline: “This time, not only will you have to manage a city. You’ll have to shape its future.”
That last point is particularly exciting. The way the team is handling society and political drama gives us some clue to the world they’re building. Frostpunk 2 will offer a deeper dive into how you’ll manage and manipulate your society.
Beyond Survival—Frostpunk’s Evolving Legacy
Frostpunk 2 promises a more intricate system for players to explore. It doesn’t seem like 11 bit studios will be leaving the first game behind. With more detailed governance, players might actually need to think like a political strategist, as much as a city-building expert. Will this push the game away from its dark, dystopian core or double down on its themes of sacrifice and hard choices?
While we don’t have an official release date yet, it looks like we can expect to hear more from 11 bit studios sooner rather than later.
Hopefully, Frostpunk 2 is a successful attempt to evolve the formula from the first game. What exactly makes it “a new experience,” or what does it mean to “shape its future,” remain a mystery, but it’s clear 11 bit Studios is trying to do something new while remaining faithful to the things that make Frostpunk a truly unique game.
