11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of their critically acclaimed city-building survival game, Frostpunk. The Polish developer has officially announced Frostpunk 1886, a comprehensive remake of the original game, slated for release in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the launch of Frostpunk 2, highlighting the studio's dedication to expanding the Frostpunk universe.
Frostpunk 1886 will leverage the power of Unreal Engine 5, marking a significant shift from the studio's proprietary Liquid Engine, which was used for both the original Frostpunk and This War of Mine. This change aims to breathe new life into the game set in an alternate history of the late 19th century, where players must build and sustain a city during a global volcanic winter, manage resources, make tough survival decisions, and explore the surrounding areas for additional survivors and supplies.
IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a 9/10, praising its unique blend of thematic ideas and gameplay elements. We described it as an "engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game." Frostpunk 2, while still well-received, scored an 8/10, with our review noting its larger scale and increased social and political complexity compared to its predecessor.
11 bit studios has confirmed that they will continue to support Frostpunk 2 with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLC, even as they embark on the Frostpunk 1886 project. The studio emphasized that Frostpunk 1886 is not merely a visual update but a significant expansion of the original game. It will introduce new content, mechanics, laws, and a new "Purpose" path, promising a fresh experience for both new and veteran players.
The transition to Unreal Engine 5 for Frostpunk 1886 also paves the way for long-awaited mod support, a feature that was previously unattainable due to technical constraints of the original engine. This move will transform Frostpunk into a dynamic, expandable platform, capable of supporting future DLC and community-created content.
11 bit studios envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 coexist and evolve in parallel, each offering a unique take on survival in the unforgiving cold. Alongside these projects, the studio is also working on The Alters, expected to be released in June.
