Frostpunk 2

Frostpunk 2 is a real-time strategy game developed by the Polish 11 bit studios, also responsible for the warmly received This War of Mine. It's a sequel to Frostpunk from 2018. The player once again must manage New London, one of the last bastions of humanity after a new ice age wiped out civilization.

Plot

The game is set in 1917, thirty years after the first installment. The world's been frozen over due to an unexplain climate disaster, forcing humanity to fight for survival. The few survivors formed cities and settlements around generators, giant coal-powered heat-producing structures. One of these cities is New London - it has survived resource shortages, human conflict and a catalysmic event known as the Great Storm.

After three decades, it's turned to a prosperous city. Unfortunately, its residents are now facing a new problem. The resource they have relied on for years - coal - is no longer sufficient to provide heat to the entire city. Hope lies in the underground oil deposits, which the settlers begin to exploit. People's uncertainty about this new source of warmth, frequent crime, nomads camping on the city outskirts and incoming cold all cause social unrest and distrust in government. Our task is to alleviate this difficult situation, ensure our people's safety and stay in power in face of angry citizens.

Mechanics

Gameplay-wise, Frostpunk 2 expands on the original game. The core gameplay remains the same. It's a real-time strategy game, in which we expand our city and take care of our citizens' needs. Coal is replaced by oil and its extraction is our top priority. If we ever run out, the generator in the city center will shut down, leaving our people helpless against the cold. Players must build mining outposts, food-producing buildings, hospitals to treat sick citizens and houses for them to rest after a hard day's work.

Frostpunk 2, like its predecessor, heavily emphasizes difficult moral choices. Many times we might end up having to abandon morality to survive. Players must find a balance between pragmatism and idealism, or the city - and themselves - will not survive. Our decisions have consequences and affect the fate of the city. There are many factions within the game, all with conflicting, mutually exclusive agendas. Depending on the faction we choose to support, the game will proceed differently.

Game modes

Just like its predecessor, Frostpunk 2 only supports singleplayer.

Technical aspects

Both the visuals and the audio are rather impressive. The dark, serious artstyle is striking, its color palette using mostly white and shades of gray. The buildings are inspired by authentic structures the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The soundtrack was once again composed by Piotr Musial, known for his work on the first Frostpunk, This War of Mine and the Blood and Wine expansion for The Witcher 3.

Last updated on 18 March 2024