"Frostpunk 1886 Remake Set for 2027, Developer to Keep Updating Frostpunk 2"

11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of the Frostpunk series, announcing Frostpunk 1886, a much-anticipated 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 first Frostpunk game was launched back in 2018. With the remake's release, it will have been nearly a decade since the original game captivated players.

Frostpunk is renowned for its unique setting—a city-building survival game set in an alternate history of the late 19th century, where players must navigate a worldwide volcanic winter. The game challenges you to build and maintain a city, manage scarce resources, make tough survival decisions, and explore the frozen wastelands for survivors and vital supplies.

IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a commendable 9/10, praising its mix 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.” Meanwhile, Frostpunk 2 received an 8/10, with IGN 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."

While continuing to support Frostpunk 2 with free major content updates, a console launch, and planned DLCs, 11 bit studios is moving forward with Frostpunk 1886. The studio's proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both the original Frostpunk and This War of Mine, is no longer in development. As such, the team has chosen to harness the power of Unreal Engine 5 for this ambitious remake.

11 bit studios emphasized that Frostpunk 1886 is more than just a visual upgrade. The remake pays homage to a crucial moment in the Frostpunk universe—the Great Storm's descent upon New London. It builds on the original's core, introducing new content, mechanics, laws, and an exciting new Purpose path that promises a fresh experience for both new and veteran players.

Leveraging Unreal Engine 5 allows Frostpunk 1886 to become a living, expandable platform. This includes long-awaited mod support, a feature fans have requested but was technically unfeasible with the original engine. Additionally, this new foundation opens up possibilities for future DLC content, ensuring the game remains dynamic and engaging.

11 bit studios envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve together, offering two distinct paths that explore the theme of survival in an unrelenting cold. Alongside these projects, the studio is also working on The Alters, expected to release in June, further expanding their portfolio of thought-provoking games.