Frostpunk 1886 Remake Set for 2027, Developer to Keep Updating Frostpunk 2

11 bit studios has exciting news for fans of their acclaimed city-building survival series: Frostpunk 1886, a comprehensive remake of the original Frostpunk, is set to launch in 2027. This announcement comes just over six months after the release of Frostpunk 2, marking a swift return to the beloved franchise that debuted back in 2018.

For this ambitious project, 11 bit studios is leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 5, a significant upgrade from the proprietary Liquid Engine used for the first Frostpunk and This War of Mine. The decision to switch engines reflects the studio's commitment to enhancing the gaming experience, bringing the harsh, alternate 19th-century world of Frostpunk into stunning detail.

Frostpunk, set in a post-apocalyptic world engulfed by a volcanic winter, challenges players to build and manage a city while making tough survival decisions. The game has been critically acclaimed, with IGN giving the original a 9/10, praising its unique blend of thematic ideas and strategy gameplay. Frostpunk 2, while slightly less acclaimed with an 8/10, was lauded for its expanded scale and deeper social and political complexity.

Despite the focus on the new remake, 11 bit studios assures fans that Frostpunk 2 will continue to receive support with free major content updates, a console launch, and additional DLCs. Meanwhile, Frostpunk 1886 promises not just a visual overhaul but an expansion of the original game's core mechanics, new content, laws, and an exciting new Purpose path, ensuring a fresh experience even for veteran players.

The move to Unreal Engine 5 also enables the introduction of long-awaited mod support, a feature that was previously unattainable due to the limitations of the original engine. This shift positions Frostpunk 1886 as a living, expandable platform, ready to evolve with future content additions.

11 bit studios envisions a future where Frostpunk 2 and Frostpunk 1886 develop in tandem, each offering unique paths through the unforgiving cold of their universe. The studio is also busy with another project, The Alters, slated for release in June, showcasing their continued dedication to delivering compelling gaming experiences.