Frostpunk 1886: Everything We Know

Remember the biting cold? Remember the impossible choices? Sending children into the mines just to keep the coal coming? The original game wasn’t just a city-builder; it was a crucible, testing players’ morality against the harsh reality of survival in a frozen apocalypse. That oppressive atmosphere, the constant struggle, and the gut-wrenching decisions stick with you. Now, prepare to face that storm again with Frostpunk 1886.

Developer 11 bit studios has sounded the horn, calling players back to the very beginning, to the year the Great Storm descended upon New London. The frost is returning, familiar yet changed. Get ready to stoke the fires and make impossible choices all over again. Here’s everything we know so far about Frostpunk 1886.

What is Frostpunk 1886?

Frostpunk 1886 represents a deliberate return to the origins of the series. The setting is New London, precisely in the year 1886, plunging players back into the desperate struggle that defined the original game. It’s the same fight for survival against overwhelming odds that captivated so many. However, this journey back is far more than a simple trip down memory lane.

11 bit studios describes Frostpunk 1886 as a “reimagining”. They are meticulously rebuilding the original Frostpunk experience using the modern power of Unreal Engine. The developers have outlined a specific blend: roughly 70% of the classic Frostpunk gameplay and atmosphere, fused with 30% entirely new content. Players will once again rule Earth’s last city in an apocalyptic winter, but this time they’ll encounter new events, new choices, and enhanced visuals that promise to make the experience feel fresh even to the fans of original game.

Frostpunk 1886 Story

In terms of story, Frostpunk 1886 takes players back to dangerously unstable ground. The game is set squarely in New London during the pivotal year of 1886. This timeframe mirrors the main campaign of the first game, focusing on the cataclysmic arrival of the Great Storm and the monumental effort required to build a functioning city around the life-giving generator.

Players will once again assume the demanding role of the Captain, the leader burdened with impossible responsibilities. The core mission objective remains unchanged: guide the populace, carefully manage dwindling resources, make tough decisions under immense pressure, and ultimately ensure the survival of what might be the last bastion of humanity on Earth.

Frostpunk 1886 Gameplay

Anyone who endured the trials of the first Frostpunk understands the core gameplay loop. It was a masterful, nerve-wracking blend of city-building strategy and society survival simulation. Players managed critical resources like coal, wood, steel, and food, assigned citizens to vital tasks, researched technologies to push back the cold, and enacted laws through the Book of Laws – choices that often carried significant moral weight and societal consequences. Maintaining hope while suppressing discontent was a constant, delicate balancing act. It was a harsh, demanding experience, but immensely satisfying when the city survived against the odds.

Frostpunk 1886 intends to significantly expand upon this proven formula. 11 bit studios has confirmed that the game will feature a wealth of new additions. Players can anticipate new gameplay mechanics designed to offer more strategic depth, new laws presenting fresh ethical dilemmas, innovative technologies to unlock, and entirely new buildings to construct and manage.

And here’s the feature fans have been waiting for: official mod support is confirmed! The community has dreamed for years about customizing and expanding the Frostpunk experience. 11 bit studios has finally listened. Perhaps the most significant gameplay change announced will be the introduction of a completely new ‘Purpose’ path, which will be available alongside the original Faith and Order paths. So, this means a new way to control your city with values that weren’t an option in the first game. Furthermore, the transition to Unreal Engine could potentially lead to smoother overall performance and perhaps more refined user interface elements compared to the original.

Development

Frostpunk 1886 is being developed and published by 11 bit studios. This is the same team behind the original Frostpunk and its sequel. One of the driving reasons for this project was technological necessity: the first game ran on 11 bit’s proprietary Liquid Engine, which is no longer supported or updated. That old engine had serious limitations, so the developers sought a new foundation. By shifting Frostpunk to Unreal Engine 5, the team gains a more powerful and flexible platform, allowing the game to become a “living, expandable” experience with features fans have long requested.

They’ve stated that die-hard fans will find plenty of new content and surprises, while new players will get the definitive way to experience Frostpunk’s story of survival. Notably, the developers have also clarified that working on this remake doesn’t mean abandoning the sequel. Frostpunk 2 will continue to be updated alongside the development of Frostpunk 1886. Ultimately, Unreal Engine 5 is the key that unlocks the door to implementing all the ambitious new content, the refined mechanics, the potential for future DLCs, and, crucially, the long-awaited mod support.

Trailer

11 bit studios released an announcement teaser, but it’s very brief. It serves primarily as announcement that Frostpunk 1886 is officially happening.

Frostpunk 1886 – Release Date, Platforms and Editions

Frostpunk 1886 launches in 2027 and will be available on PC via Steam. 11 bit studios hasn’t revealed specific editions yet but promises to share more details, including gameplay reveals and behind-the-scenes content, as the release date approaches. To stay updated with latest news, you can follow the official social media account here.