The highly anticipated sequel to the post-apocalyptic city-builder game, Frostpunk, has left players feeling disappointed. Frostpunk 2 takes a more macro approach to gameplay, focusing on navigating factions and their ideologies rather than the individual decisions that made the first game so impactful.
Set 30 years after the original, Frostpunk 2 sees a rapidly growing city with thousands of citizens divided into factions. The player’s role is to ensure the survival and happiness of these factions by making decisions and securing their votes through negotiation.
One major change in Frostpunk 2 is the introduction of a council system where delegates from each faction vote for or against proposed laws. This adds complexity to the decision-making process compared to its predecessor, where players could sign laws into effect without input from citizens.
The scope of Frostpunk 2 has also expanded, with players working across weeks instead of individual days. Instead of placing individual buildings and assigning workers like in Frostpunk, players can now build districts that automatically collect resources if they have enough workforce and resources.
However, despite these changes, some players feel that Frostpunk 2 lacks the weight and impact of its predecessor. The complex user interface makes it difficult for players to keep track of all aspects of their city and understand how their decisions affect it. Moral dilemmas are fewer in number and don’t hold as much weight as before.
Despite its flaws, Frostpunk 2 boasts a beautiful art style thanks to being built on Unreal Engine. The developers have also enabled modding for the game, which may provide new opportunities for unique settings and scenarios in future updates.
while there are aspects to appreciate in Frostpunk 2 such as its visuals and potential for modding, it falls short compared to its predecessor in terms of impactful decision-making and overall satisfaction. Players may find themselves returning to sink more hours into the original game instead.
Frostpunk 2 will be released on September 20th for PC, macOS PlayStation5,and Xbox Series X/S platforms.
