Frostpunk 1886 Remake Set for 2027, Developer Promises Ongoing Updates for Frostpunk 2

11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of the Frostpunk series: they've announced Frostpunk 1886, a highly anticipated remake of the original game, set to launch in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the release of Frostpunk 2, highlighting the studio's commitment to the franchise. With the original Frostpunk having debuted in 2018, the remake's release will mark nearly a decade since the first game captivated players worldwide.

For this ambitious project, 11 bit studios is harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5, promising a significant upgrade in visuals and gameplay. Frostpunk is renowned for its unique setting in an alternate history of the late 19th century, where players must build and manage a city amidst a global volcanic winter. The game challenges players to make tough decisions about resource management, survival strategies, and exploration beyond their city's boundaries to find survivors and essential supplies.

IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a stellar 9/10, praising it as an "engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game." On the other hand, Frostpunk 2 received an 8/10, with IGN noting that "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 dedicated to Frostpunk 2, planning to enhance it with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLC. The shift to Unreal Engine 5 for Frostpunk 1886 is a strategic move away from their proprietary Liquid Engine, which powered both Frostpunk and This War of Mine, but is no longer in development.

11 bit studios emphasized that Frostpunk 1886 is not just a visual refresh but a comprehensive expansion of the original game. It introduces new content, mechanics, laws, and an innovative "Purpose path," providing both new and returning players with fresh challenges. The use of Unreal Engine also enables the implementation of long-awaited mod support and the potential for future DLC content, turning the game into a dynamic, expandable platform.

The studio envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 develop in tandem, each enhancing the other's exploration of survival in an unforgiving, icy world. Alongside these developments, 11 bit studios is also preparing for the release of The Alters in June, continuing their tradition of delivering compelling gaming experiences.