Frostpunk 2 Review
With thanks to the developer and publisher at 11bit Studios, I’m looking at Frostpunk 2. I’ve been delving into this icy wasteland (with parka hood pulled firmly over my head) to bring you my full video and extended written review.
As ever my Frostpunk 2 review comes with my common-sense parent’s guide to help you know the content you may want to watch out for. If you have any questions, get them in the comments over on your favourite social media platform.
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The Basics – What is Frostpunk 2 About?
Available on: PC (Steam, Epic, GOG), Xbox Series X|S
Price: c£38
Type: Chilling City Survival
Download: 12.9GB
I absolutely adored the first Frostpunk title, and have been excited for Frostpunk 2 since they announced it. Even better, Upon playing it, it’s immediately clear that Frostpunk 2 isn’t just “more of the same” as a follow up. The new title has made sweeping changes to gameplay, without icing up the beating heart that made the first title special.
Frostpunk 2 is set some 30 years following the original title. Following the death of New London’s Captain (your role in the previous game) players will take over as the city’s Steward. In doing this, you’ll get involved in an evolved set of political mechanics, while managing resources and keeping the city alive.
The first major change players will notice is the new hex-based frostbreaking and building. Instead of building smaller elements around the city’s core, players will create districts. Hosing, extraction, food, industry and logistics will all now be created as grouped buildings, with players able to set rules and expand as you need.
In addition, instead of ruling with an iron grip, players will set up a council to guide the city’s progress. This will mean various factions in the city get a vote on laws and ordinances, with the player guiding or swaying these votes.
Exploration of the surrounding area, and the setup of outposts, can also become a large part of your play here, and players will need to set up expeditions and supply routes to keep on top of resource needs as your city grows.
Frostpunk 2 does keep a lot of what made the first title great. Hard and seemingly un-winnable decisions, are here again, alongside the ever-present fluctuating conditions. It’s been great to see Frostpunk 2 take inspiration from the original game, while evolving mechanics and story to create a vastly evolved experience.
Is Frostpunk 2 Safe for Children?
Rating: Adults Only.
Frostpunk 2 is rated by PEGI at 18 and above and by the ESRB as a Mature 17+. It may not look it from the outset but this strategic city survival game does some with a fair amount of warnings for sexual themes, violence and bad language.
It’s rare that players will see blood or gore, but these themes are all included in some pretty dark descriptions. The written narrative for Frostpunk 2, and the choices players will have to make along the way, all contain some rather dark areas that I wouldn’t want our Micro-Bandits introduced to just yet. Because of this it’s one I am rating as Adults Only.
The Run Down – My Five-Point Rating for Frostpunk 2
Gameplay – 4: I’ve really enjoyed the changes to Frostpunk 2’s game mechanics. With the new sprawling settlement building, these new elements really use the first game as a foundation, while offering new and unique gameplay. I’d definitely have liked some more chill difficulty options, but if you are up for a challenge, Frostpunk 2 has it in spades.
Visuals – 4: Frostpunk 2 looks great at pretty much every level. I’ve had a few little niggles with frame rate during white outs but this has been few and far between. My biggest bugbear is the lack of photo mode, which would be great for these new, more sprawling cities and settlements, but overall things are looking pretty fancy.
Audio – 4: The effects and music are well created and well balanced. Voice acting is included for smaller shout outs and manages not to get repetitive which is nice. Altogether, the audio cues really help to tie things together and provide atmosphere in the frigid wasteland.
Narrative – 5: There’s a great story here for the second game, and the narrative is really helped by a natural follow on from the first title. There are loads of little pieces of lore and backstory alongside a good main campaign, and lots of narrative to follow along with.
Replay – 4: With a main campaign somewhere around the 9-10 hour mark, different ways you can approach survival, and the utopia builder mode with various start locations and an option for endless mode, there’s a decent amount to be getting back to here.
The Verdict – Is Frostpunk 2 Worth It?
Pixel Bandits Cooking With Coal Level for Frostpunk 2 is an outstanding 9 / 10. Frostpunk 2 is a game packed with grim tales, dark choices and thankless tasks, but if that’s the kind of narrative vibe you like then it’s one which will make you very happy.
New mechanics work really well to provide a worthwhile new experience which is inspired by the stories and technologies from the first game. It’s been a well thought out adventure which has benefitted from the studio experience with the original Frostpunk, and provides a freer strategic experience.
If you’re looking for something light-hearted, steer clear, as no choice that you make is going to have a perfectly happy ending. If you’re looking for a strategy with solid and unique mechanics, welcome to the Frostlands, folks.
As ever, to provide my review and common-sense parent’s guide, I received a free copy of Frostpunk 2 from the folks at 11bit studios.
