I loved the first instalment in the Frostpunk series and had been holding off on playing Frostpunk 2, as I have been super busy with other games. That was until I saw that it was finally getting released on the PS5. Normally, I prefer playing management games on PC, but I’m currently getting a new system, so it’s out of commission. Though Frostpunk 2 graced the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S on September 18th, 2025, nearly a year after it was released on PC and macOS.
I’m a huge fan of 11 Bit Studios, and I can’t wait to see what else they have implemented in the Frostpunk series. So, without further delay, let’s dive into an alternate 20th century where the “Great Storm” has taken the planet, and you must try and survive in this hazardous environment.
From Survival to Rebuilding Society
Frostpunk 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to Frostpunk. In this society survival game that defined a brand-new genre by blending city building with strategy and management gameplay, we see ourselves in the not-too-distant future, 30 years after the apocalyptic blizzard storm. The Earth was still overwhelmed by the never-ending frost and harsh weather.
Unlike the gameplay of its predecessor, Frostpunk 2 focuses on more than the mere survival aspect of the game. You take up the mantle of a steward, who, as the leader of a resource-hungry metropolis, has to deal with the ever-changing political climate as the goal transitions from purely surviving to rebuilding society.
A Harsh Reality
With the chilling backstory, climate change devastated humanity in the late 1800s. For those that survive, they must find every single resource possible to attempt to build civilisations that can withstand the harshness of the weather that is now normal for Earth. It is a harsh reality that could be possible if climate change continues in the real world. Hopefully, we get on top of it before we see a world like in Frostpunk 2.
Through brilliant animations and a serious tone, the story unfolds, and when you combine the art style, it helps set the scene for the challenges present in the game. There isn’t much colour in the world other than the glow of flames. Frostpunk 2 delivers with some familiar features from its predecessor and other city-building management games, but it doesn’t come without hardships and robust management. Even the slightest mistake can have a huge impact on your settlement and your relationship with the townsfolk, as well as how well you can manage your resources.
Managing Your City
As the leader of the last city, you will find yourself with a lot of responsibility. The majority of your time will be taken up by managing the city’s workforce to gather supplies and resources. This plays out like most city-builder/survival games, and it takes time to gather resources. You also must break through the snow to get to resource spots, which requires having enough workforce on hand.
You will need to make sure your workers are well-fed, kept warm, and have a place to live so that they can stay happy, healthy, and not come down with an illness or worse, die. There are times when the weather will be harsher and will make even simple tasks harder — this is where Frostpunk 2 truly challenges you.
Meeting the Needs of Your People
Meeting the needs of the city and its people is paramount to survival and expansion. The main focus is warmth: if people are warm, they can work and thrive. You will research new survival and building methods to prepare for future storms and hold council meetings to pass new laws and make difficult choices that can either make or break your city. Having hospitals at hand keeps your people healthy and less prone to death.
There is quite a lot to take in if this is your first time playing Frostpunk 2, but the story mode does a good job explaining everything. At first, I struggled with the controls, but after a few hours, I became more comfortable, though it never felt as natural as playing on PC.
Graphics and Storytelling
Graphically, Frostpunk 2’s industrial design is impressive. I love the aesthetic 11 Bit Studios chose—it improves on the first game, making the world feel more in-depth and gritty. I did experience a few framerate issues on my PS5, but these didn’t significantly affect gameplay. The story is well-written and makes you sympathise with the characters during tough decisions. Early in the story, you must choose between reducing food or removing the elderly to make supplies last longer — just one of many difficult choices.
Replay Value and Challenges
There is plenty of replay value in Frostpunk 2. Whether replaying the campaign on a different difficulty or playing Utopia Builder Mode, you will never have a dull moment. Management games can be hours of fun if you invest the time, and Frostpunk 2 rewards patience. Both story mode and sandbox mode require challenging decisions and put your leadership to the test. Can you keep your people alive and thriving, or will the frost take all?
Conclusion
Overall, Frostpunk 2 is a brutal and brilliantly written post-apocalyptic city builder that expands on the strengths of the first game and emphasises survival in an apocalyptic setting. The game presents difficult challenges, and overcoming them feels rewarding. Multiple modes keep you playing, and although there’s a lot to take in, the game teaches you gradually. Frostpunk 2 stands out with its morbid personality and strong writing, offering a city-builder that will test your leadership. For these reasons, I’m giving Frostpunk 2 a 9 out of 10.
Frostpunk 2 Trailer
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Game code was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.
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