Frostpunk 1886: 2027 Remake Announced, Dev Promises Ongoing Updates for Frostpunk 2

11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of the Frostpunk series: they've announced 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 debuted back in 2018. By the time Frostpunk 1886 hits the shelves, nearly a decade will have passed since the first game's release.

For this ambitious project, 11 bit studios is harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5, moving away from their proprietary Liquid Engine, which was used for both the original Frostpunk and This War of Mine. This shift is aimed at providing a new foundation that will carry forward the legacy of the first game while introducing new possibilities.

Frostpunk is renowned as a city-building survival game set 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 critical decisions on resource management, survival strategies, and exploration beyond the city limits to find survivors and resources.

IGN's review of the original Frostpunk awarded it a stellar 9/10, praising its unique blend of thematic ideas and gameplay elements, saying, “Frostpunk deftly mixes a variety of thematic ideas and gameplay elements into an engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game.” On the other hand, Frostpunk 2 received an 8/10 from IGN, with the review 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."

Despite the focus on the new remake, 11 bit studios has reassured fans that they will continue to support Frostpunk 2 with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLC. This commitment to both games reflects their dedication to the franchise.

The title Frostpunk 1886 pays homage to a crucial moment in the game's universe—the Great Storm that descended upon New London. This remake is not just a visual update; it promises new content, mechanics, laws, and an entirely new Purpose path, ensuring a fresh experience even for seasoned players. The use of Unreal Engine also opens the door for long-awaited mod support and the potential for future DLC, transforming the game into a living, expandable platform.

11 bit studios envisions a future where both Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 evolve concurrently, each enhancing the survival experience in the unforgiving cold. Alongside these developments, the studio is also gearing up for the release of The Alters in June, promising a busy and exciting period for fans of their work.