11 bit studios has announced Frostpunk 1886, a highly anticipated remake of the original Frostpunk game, set to launch in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the release of Frostpunk 2, and nearly a decade after the first game debuted in 2018. The Polish developer is leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 5 for this project, marking a significant technological shift from the proprietary Liquid Engine used in the earlier titles.
Frostpunk is renowned for its unique setting in an alternate history late 19th century, where players must manage a city during a global volcanic winter. The gameplay involves building and maintaining the city, managing scarce resources, making critical survival decisions, and exploring the surrounding areas for survivors and supplies.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a strong 9/10, praising its innovative blend of thematic ideas and gameplay mechanics, describing it as an "engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game." On the other hand, Frostpunk 2 received an 8/10, commended for its expansive rethinking of the ice-age city builder genre, though noted for being less intimate but more complex socially and politically than its predecessor.
11 bit studios remains committed to enhancing Frostpunk 2 with ongoing DLC and is planning its console launch, while simultaneously developing Frostpunk 1886. The studio's decision to move away from the Liquid Engine, which powered both Frostpunk and This War of Mine, underscores their ambition to build on the legacy of the original game using a new foundation.
According to 11 bit, Frostpunk 1886 is not merely a visual update but a comprehensive reimagining of the original game. It introduces new content, mechanics, laws, and an exciting new "Purpose" path, ensuring a fresh experience for both new and veteran players. The use of Unreal Engine 5 also paves the way for the game to become a dynamic, expandable platform, fulfilling long-standing community requests for mod support and the potential for future DLCs.
The studio envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve in tandem, offering two distinct yet interconnected paths through the harsh, morally challenging world of Frostpunk. Additionally, 11 bit studios is also working on another project, The Alters, set for release in June, further showcasing their commitment to delivering innovative gaming experiences.
