11 bit studios has recently announced Frostpunk 1886, a highly anticipated remake of the original Frostpunk game, set to launch in 2027. This exciting news comes just over six months following the release of Frostpunk 2, marking a significant milestone as the first Frostpunk game debuted in 2018. With the release of the remake scheduled for 2027, fans will have nearly a decade of Frostpunk's rich history to look back on.
For this project, the Polish developer is harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5, promising a visually stunning and technologically advanced experience. Frostpunk, known for its unique blend of city-building and survival elements, is set in an alternate late 19th-century world engulfed by a volcanic winter. Players are tasked with constructing and maintaining a city, managing resources, making critical survival decisions, and exploring beyond their city walls for survivors and essential resources.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a remarkable 9/10, commending the game for its innovative mix of themes and mechanics: “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 from IGN, with the review noting: “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.”
Despite the focus on the new remake, 11 bit studios remains committed to supporting Frostpunk 2 with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLCs. The studio's decision to move away from its proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both the original Frostpunk and This War of Mine, to Unreal Engine 5 for Frostpunk 1886 reflects a strategic shift aimed at enhancing the game's capabilities and longevity.
11 bit studios emphasized that Frostpunk 1886 is not just a visual upgrade but a comprehensive reimagining of the original game. It introduces new content, mechanics, laws, and an entirely new Purpose path, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience for both new and veteran players. The use of Unreal Engine also paves the way for long-awaited mod support and the potential for future DLC content, transforming the game into a living, expandable platform.
The studio envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve in tandem, each offering unique paths through the unforgiving cold. Additionally, 11 bit studios is also working on another project, The Alters, slated for release in June, further showcasing their commitment to delivering compelling gaming experiences.
