Frostpunk 2: Unraveling the Dark Secrets Behind One Man's Utopia

City builders may be a common concept, but Frostpunk by 11 bit studios took it to the extreme. Set in a volcanic winter that nearly wiped out humanity, players must struggle to gather resources, make crucial decisions for city growth, and navigate the frozen wasteland in order to survive. With an engaging story, enjoyable gameplay, and diverse scenarios, Frostpunk offers a unique experience. Now, Frostpunk 2 poses a significant question: what happens after surviving the apocalypse?

Taking place 30 years after the volcanic winter ends, Frostpunk 2 showcases a world that is still harsh but more manageable. However, 11 bit studios amplifies the intensity by shifting the primary enemy from nature to human nature. As the city expands into a sprawling metropolis, differing visions for the future emerge, and it falls upon the player to shape that future. Game Rant recently had the opportunity to witness 30 minutes of gameplay from Frostpunk 2, and although brief, it provided both informative and thrilling insights.

The game mode we witnessed was not the core story mode of Frostpunk 2, but rather its Utopia Builder game mode. This mode functions as an endless sandbox, and it appears that there will be multiple scenarios available to accompany it. The one we observed was called The City Must Not Fall. One of the most notable differences is the significant increase in scale; while the original game focused on constructing key buildings and gradually expanding the city, players now have a central hub and a sprawling metropolis at their disposal. In Frostpunk 2, players have the opportunity to construct entire districts, which encompass various essential elements such as Housing, Food, Extraction, Industrial District, and Logistics (which enables the city to explore and expand beyond its current borders). Furthermore, icebreakers can be utilized to clear vast areas of ice for further expansion. These districts act as foundational layers and form the basic economy of the game, which is then enriched by modifiers and upgrades. For instance, we were shown the Research Institute, and even within the Central Hub, players have the ability to construct a Council Hall.