Back in 2018, 11 Bit Studios whisked players away on an unforgettable journey with the city-building survival game Frostpunk. Now, six years later, the studio is back doing it all over again with the hotly anticipated Frostpunk 2, taking everything good about that first one and improving it tenfold. While the concept may not be for everyone, what the studio has been able to craft with Frostpunk 2 is truly special.
Frostpunk 2 once again brings players to a blizzard ravaged post-apocalyptic Earth, but this time, it picks up 30 years after the events of Frostpunk. In that time, the world has fallen into further disarray, grappling with limited resources, overpopulation, and an environment bent on taking them out. As players take on the role of Steward, it is up to them to guide the city of New London through this mess in hopes that they can have a better future. And what ensues is a city-building experience that many may not soon forget.
How Frostpunk 2's Gameplay Compares to Manor Lords
Frostpunk 2 and Manor Lords are two sides of the same coin, both offering unique city-building and survival mechanics but with different emphases.
Frostpunk 2 Shines In Its Aesthetic
One of the best parts of Frostpunk 2 is the aesthetic that 11 Bit Studios has built. From the very start of the game, players can quickly feel just how desperate the situation is. The city of New London is coated in a thick layer of rust and grime, the surrounding land is frozen solid, and every second the world inches closer to disaster. It all sucks players into this post-apocalyptic atmosphere, which is made even better by the sounds and music playing in the background.
As players take on the role of the Steward of New London, they must grapple with the struggles of this world if they want any chance at coming out on top, which they will likely not accomplish. From breaking through the frozen tundra and building new districts to meet the demands of the people, to appeasing the many factions at play and conquering the wasteland surrounding the city, they have to do it all. And it is far from easy, as the game challenges them at every turn, making this game far more than just another city-builder.
Frostpunk 2 Presents a Challenging and Satisfying City-Building Experience
The core gameplay loop of Frostpunk 2 is pretty standard for a city-builder, but there are also a few surprises that will keep players on their toes. They must construct various districts to keep their city growing, with each one accomplishing a different task. Housing expands the city's limited space, industrial districts help forge new goods, extraction districts let players mine the limited resources dotting their surroundings, and food districts help prevent their people from going hungry.
Before they can plant a district within New London, however, players must first break through the frozen wasteland. If they have enough resources and workforce, they can start breaking the thick layer of ice that surrounds their city. Once that is done, they can place one of the many districts, keeping in mind that the closer it is to other districts the more heat is conserved. Then, they can forge ahead with expanding it, adding special building types, and ensuring that it stays together against everything that will come its way.
Not only do they have to balance these districts and the limited supplies, but they must also balance their heating. Since the game takes place in a frozen wasteland, heat is an extremely important component. Players must ensure that enough coal or oil is coming in from the city center so that the citizens do not freeze. The more districts and citizens there are, the higher the demand for heat is. Luckily, there are many ways to help alleviate that stress, but if players are not careful, things can quickly fall apart.
Players Are Far More Than a City Builder in Frostpunk 2
As players build their city, they must also appease the many factions that call it home. Each faction has their wants and desires, as well as their dislikes. It is up to the player to ensure they all play nice, and if they anger them, then things can quickly take a turn for the worst. They can do this by promising them things, funding their projects, voting for things they like within Frostpunk 2's council, or just lending support where they can.
With Frostpunk 2's factions, the council plays a big role. Through the Council hall, players must work with 100 members of the community to pass new laws if they want to make changes within their city. Each faction will have their opinions on these laws, and it is up to the player to sway them by negotiating. But they will want to be careful what they promise, because making one faction happy may anger all the others.
The Council is not the only way to improve society either, as Frostpunk 2 also has a massive research tree filled to the brim with things to unlock. Split up into multiple sections, this Idea tree lets players explore various ideas that will hopefully improve their city. However, just like with the council, each faction has a different opinion on what exactly is better for society. So, it is up to the player to figure out which is worth pursuing, even if it means some factions get left out.
Additionally, the world of Frostpunk 2 is far more than New London, as there is a massive frozen world waiting to be explored. With the help of the Frostlanders, players must head out into that world to discover new settlements, resources, random events, and people looking for a home. While it can be extremely dangerous, doing so is vital for survival, as New London cannot survive on its resources alone.
Frostpunk 2 is Worth the Price of Admission
All of this makes for a pretty challenging but unforgettable experience. Frostpunk 2 will keep players on their toes as they balance all the necessities while also keeping the people who call New London home happy. And as the game progresses, things only get harder. Not only will the world around them constantly toss things their way, but the citizens will also grow more restless, resources will dwindle, and the settlements will require their undivided attention.
What 11 Bit Studios has crafted here is truly special, as it lives up to its city-building survival name. Those looking to test their mettle in a different type of city-builder may want to take this one for a spin. However, those that may be looking for something a bit calmer will not find it here. Because although there are calmer points, this will keep even city-builder experts constantly moving, especially if they increase the difficulty. And if the first one is anything to go by, then that adventure is only just getting started.
Frostpunk 2
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- September 20, 2024
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- 11 Bit Studios
- Publisher(s)
- 11 Bit Studios
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Franchise
- Frostpunk
- PC Release Date
- September 20, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Survival, City Builder
- The aesthetic is beautiful
- A fun but challenging city-builder experience
- The factions take it to the next level
- Can get a bit overwhelming at times