11 bit studios has unveiled an exciting project: Frostpunk 1886, a remake of their critically acclaimed original game, set to launch in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the release of Frostpunk 2, marking a significant milestone as it will be nearly a decade since the first Frostpunk debuted in 2018.
For this ambitious remake, 11 bit studios is harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5, a move that promises to enhance the visual and gameplay experience of the original. Frostpunk is renowned for its city-building survival mechanics, set in an alternate late 19th-century world gripped by a volcanic winter. Players are tasked with constructing and maintaining a city, managing scarce resources, making tough survival choices, and venturing beyond their city walls in search of survivors, resources, and other vital items.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a stellar 9/10, praising its unique blend of thematic elements and gameplay. We noted, "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 highlighting its more expansive and politically nuanced approach, stating, "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 committed to supporting Frostpunk 2 with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLC, even as they embark on the development of Frostpunk 1886. The studio explained the shift from their proprietary Liquid Engine, used in the original Frostpunk and This War of Mine, to Unreal Engine 5. They stated, "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."
The upcoming Frostpunk 1886, named to commemorate a crucial event in the game's universe—the Great Storm's descent upon New London—promises more than just a visual upgrade. It aims to expand on the original's core elements with new content, mechanics, laws, and an intriguing new Purpose path, ensuring a fresh experience for all players. The switch to Unreal Engine also opens up possibilities for mod support and future DLC, fulfilling long-standing community requests.
11 bit studios envisions a future where both Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 will evolve concurrently, each enhancing the survival narrative in the unforgiving cold. Additionally, the studio is gearing up for the release of The Alters in June, keeping their fans eagerly anticipating what's next.
