Can the world survive when winter never thaws?

The critically acclaimed Frost Punk was an unexpected hit upon its release just a few years ago, primarily due to its bold departure from conventional strategy game formulas – the developers at 11bit Studios prefer to call it a ‘society survival game’ instead. Rather than thrusting players into combat against rival armies, Frostpunk tells the tale of an alternate 19th-century world beset by a catastrophic global ice age brought about by a massive, planet-spanning blizzard known as the Great Frost. Confronting the ultimate test of strategy and survival, this apocalyptic game pits you against the relentless fury of Mother Nature itself, as you navigate treacherous blizzards to scavenge vital resources for the last remaining survivors – fuel, food, and shelter – in a desperate bid to establish a sanctuary amidst the ruins of New London.

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As the sequel to Frostpunk, the game takes place approximately three decades after the original, with New London having experienced exponential growth and development. As the appointed ‘Steward’ of the town, it is your duty to source novel supplies of food and fuel to cater to the increasing population’s needs. Diverse threats persist, as impoverished residents grapple with hunger, lawlessness, and internecine strife. In reality, the perpetual threat of unanticipated snowstorms, capable of reducing visibility to zero within a matter of minutes, looms large over New London, its residents always on high alert for the sudden onset of a blinding whiteout.

Unlike its predecessors, Frostpunk 2 presents an especially challenging experience, even for seasoned gamers accustomed to traditional resource management and technological development mechanics. The game’s sequel boasts a comprehensive prologue that simultaneously serves as an introduction for novice players and a tutorial, guiding them through the frozen ‘frostlands’ to salvage resources from a ruined facility by navigating its icy terrain and scavenging vital supplies.

Notwithstanding, even fundamental tasks akin to collecting sources can prove to be surprisingly sophisticated. Rather than simply hacking away at wood or collecting metal and various components like one might do in an unconventional crafting game, you initially need to ‘frostbreak’ a path, carefully choosing your route through the treacherous terrain to reach the makeshift workshop’s overturned wagons. Assemble an extraction district, a compact manufacturing facility, designed to collect goods and services provided by housing districts for employee benefits, as well as food districts to ensure sustenance and well-being.

While Frostpunk 2 may appear to be a condensed iteration compared to its predecessor, it actually requires the Steward to adopt a more strategic approach by crafting a detailed blueprint for the society’s development, rather than solely focusing on immediate actions like coal mining. Notwithstanding the city’s unique dimensions and advanced societal framework, a rich narrative fabric awaits under your editorial guidance.

The core narrative marketing campaign presents several challenge scenarios, allowing users to modify economic conditions, including scarcity of food and fuel. By manipulating the climate, you can customize the frequency and intensity of blinding snowstorms, as well as adjust social dynamics, akin to the levels of crime and political turbulence, to harmonize with your town’s unique cultural tone. Throughout the city, rival factions emerge, their demands and objectives posing a significant challenge: the Icebloods, convinced that only the strongest can thrive in the unforgiving winter landscapes, and the Machinists, who advocate for technological solutions to safeguard people’s well-being and warmth.

After completing the primary game, an “Endless” Utopia mode becomes available, allowing you to start anew by choosing from various regions, each boasting distinct terrain and climate conditions. The game’s visuals are a true highlight, boasting dramatic and imposing 3D graphics that evoke the futuristic tone of Blade Runner, reimagined in a winter wonderland setting. Zoom out to capture a comprehensive view of the wintery landscape, or zoom in to reveal the intricacies of each district with enhanced detail. While the game exclusively functions on Macs equipped with Apple Silicon, I successfully tested it at a smooth 45 frames per second using moderate graphics settings on my MacBook Pro powered by an M2 Pro chip. While an M1 might occasionally struggle with performance, it’s essential to note that adjusting graphics settings could significantly benefit gameplay when paired with an M2 processor, making the adjustment worth considering.

The Frostpunk 2 game is available for both PC and consoles; however, the Steam version is only slightly cheaper, with the added benefit of a Deluxe Edition offering extra downloadable content to keep the story unfolding on Steam.

Should You Buy Frostpunk 2?

Unlike technique-driven video games like the Civilization series, Frostpunk’s gameplay isn’t straightforwardly accessible, its designers intentionally prioritizing “society survival” mechanics over merely building a formidable army to crush opponents. While the challenge of balancing all aspects of this futuristic society may attract many players, its longevity as an engaging experience is uncertain unless further development and refinement are undertaken to ensure its appeal endures beyond the initial narrative.