"Frostpunk 1886: 2027 Remake Announced, Devs to Keep Updating Frostpunk 2"

11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of the Frostpunk series, announcing the development of Frostpunk 1886, a remake of the 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 the original Frostpunk was released back in 2018. With the upcoming remake, it will have been nearly a decade since the inception of this beloved franchise.

Frostpunk is a compelling city-building survival game set in an alternate 19th-century world engulfed by a global volcanic winter. Players are tasked with constructing and managing a city, making critical survival decisions, and exploring the surrounding areas for resources, survivors, and other vital items.

IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a stellar 9/10, praising its unique blend of thematic ideas and gameplay elements: “Frostpunk deftly mixes a variety of thematic ideas and gameplay elements into an engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game.” Frostpunk 2, while still well-received, scored an 8/10, with IGN noting its expanded scale and increased social and political complexity: "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 project, 11 bit studios remains committed to supporting Frostpunk 2 with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLCs. The shift to Unreal Engine 5 for Frostpunk 1886 comes as the studio's proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both Frostpunk and This War of Mine, is no longer in development.

11 bit studios shared their vision for Frostpunk 1886, emphasizing that it's more than just a visual update: “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. While Frostpunk 2 continues to forge ahead with free major content updates, a console launch, and DLCs, this newly announced project marks a return to the franchise’s roots, offering both newcomers and longtime citizens of New London an evolved take on the harsh, morally challenging survival experience that started it all."

The title Frostpunk 1886 honors a crucial moment in the game's universe—the Great Storm that descended upon New London. The remake promises new content, mechanics, laws, and an exciting new Purpose path, ensuring a fresh experience for both new and veteran players. The transition to Unreal Engine also introduces long-awaited mod support and the potential for future DLC content, transforming Frostpunk into a living, expandable platform.

11 bit studios envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve together, each exploring different facets of survival in the unforgiving cold: “Fans can look forward to a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve side by side — two paths forged in parallel, each carrying the vision of survival into unrelenting cold.”

In addition to these Frostpunk projects, the studio is also working on The Alters, set for release in June, further expanding their portfolio of engaging and thought-provoking games.