Frostpunk reframes the survival question entirely. You are not keeping one person alive. You are keeping a city alive, and the scarcity, cold, and workforce decisions play out at a macro level that feels just as tense as anything in the first-person sandboxes above it. I gravitate toward strategy in certain moods, Age of Empires 2 is still in regular rotation at LAN parties, so the management layer here clicked for me in a way it might not for everyone. The heat management is relentless. Run out of coal and your city starts dying, not in one dramatic moment but slowly, visibly, person by person. Console onboarding is not the game's strongest suit, and there is no getting around that. But if survival pressure through systems rather than avatar control sounds appealing, this is one of the more distinct picks available.
Frostpunk
April 24, 2018SimulationESRB M
Available on
Genres
Overview
About Frostpunk
Frostpunk, the newest title from the creators of This War of Mine, is a society survival game where heat means life and every decision comes at a price. In an entirely frozen world, people develop steam-powered technology to oppose the overwhelming cold. You face the task of building the last city on Earth and securing the means necessary for your community to survive.
Optimization and resource management often clash with empathy and thoughtful decision-making. While city and society management will consume most of the ruler’s time, at some point exploration of the outside world is necessary to understand its history and present state.
Story setup
In an entirely frozen world, people develop steam-powered technology to oppose the overwhelming cold. The city’s ruler has to manage both the citizens and the infrastructure they live in. The leader’s tactical skills face challenges that will frequently question morality and the basic foundations of what we consider organized society. Optimization and resource management often clash with empathy and thoughtful decision-making. While city and society management will consume most of the ruler’s time, at some point exploration of the outside world is necessary to understand its history and present state.
What decisions will you make to ensure the survival of your society? What will you do when pushed to the limit? And...
...who will you become in the process?
Reference
At a glance
- Released
- April 24, 2018
- Platforms
- PC, Xbox One, macOS, PlayStation 4
- Genres
- Simulation, Strategy, Indie
- Play modes
- Single Player
- Age rating
- ESRB M
Media
Screenshots
Click any screenshot to view it full size.
Playing together
Multiplayer & game modes
Frostpunk offers various play modes for different gaming experiences.
Play Modes
Single Player
Content
Age ratings
How rating boards around the world have classified Frostpunk. Open a board for its content descriptors.
ACBM
ESRBM
- Mild Violence
- Strong Language
- Mature Sexual Themes
- Blood
- Mild Sexual Themes
GRAC15+
- Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug
- Language
- Violence
PEGI16
- Bad Language
This game has been rated PEGI 16 for use of sexual expletives. Not suitable for persons under 16 years of age.
Also in our guides
Often listed alongside Frostpunk
Titles that appear in the same guides on this site. Grouped by where they show up, not by recommendation.
Coverage
Featured in our articles
This game appears in 1 article on this site.
#9
Game data and imagery provided by IGDB.com