Frostpunk

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 34,068 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Frostpunk Game Cover
Frostpunk is a great addition to the genre and console players might want to finally know what all the fuzz was about.
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Frostpunk is a strategy game with a deep, intriguing story set in a fully frozen world. Players must develop steam-powered technology and adapt society to survive the cold, while enjoying beautiful graphics, a good soundtrack, and some humor. However, the game does have its share of bugs, grinding, and was not free of ads on some platforms. The game describes itself as a society survival game where players must oppose the overwhelming cold and adapt to the changing world.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 34,068 reviews
story1,902 positive mentions
stability185 negative mentions
  • story4,790 mentions

    The story in "Frostpunk" is a compelling blend of survival and moral dilemmas set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world where players must manage a city in the face of extreme cold. Players appreciate the depth of the narrative, which unfolds through challenging scenarios that require tough decisions, often leading to emotional investment in the fate of their citizens. While the main story is relatively short, lasting around 8-10 hours, it is praised for its engaging writing, atmospheric visuals, and the way it intertwines gameplay mechanics with storytelling, making each choice feel significant. However, some players express a desire for more content and replayability, as the linear nature of the story can lead to a sense of repetitiveness after multiple playthroughs.

    • “Great writing, a beautiful score, and intriguing narrative choices turn a good city-builder into an amazing story about humanity's struggle to survive against a world that has turned against it.”
    • “One of the few games where I genuinely cared about the background and story and connecting the dots.”
    • “It's an inspiring story about survival, desperation, humanity, and hope above all else.”
    • “The game ultimately doesn't have much beyond the highly structured linear storyline.”
    • “The story is linear but you have to make choices along the game that change the outcome of the story.”
    • “The main story is a bit short, but it is very well paced, and I never felt railroaded into any of my choices, with each new challenge free to be tackled in your own way.”
  • gameplay4,263 mentions

    Frostpunk's gameplay is characterized by its unique blend of city-building and survival mechanics, requiring players to manage resources, maintain citizen morale, and make difficult ethical decisions in a harsh, frozen environment. While the game offers a compelling narrative and visually stunning aesthetics, some players find the gameplay can become repetitive after mastering the mechanics, with limited replayability across its scenarios. Overall, it provides a challenging yet rewarding experience, particularly for fans of strategy games that emphasize moral dilemmas and resource management.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly rewarding, with each scenario offering distinct challenges that test your management skills in different ways.”
    • “The mechanics are polished and intuitive, making it easy to get lost in the game’s world.”
    • “Frostpunk deftly mixes a variety of thematic ideas and gameplay elements into an engaging and unique, if occasionally unintuitive, strategy game.”
    • “However, after a while, the core gameplay can start to feel a bit repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay isn't actually that hard on normal difficulties; it's just that the game isn't great at presenting information to the player.”
    • “The mechanics don't really change with the other scenarios, so it gets a bit repetitive.”
  • graphics2,920 mentions

    The graphics of Frostpunk have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and atmospheric design, effectively capturing the bleakness of a post-apocalyptic world. Players appreciate the intricate details, such as snow effects and character animations, which enhance immersion and emotional engagement. While the game is visually impressive, some users note that it can be demanding on hardware, requiring a capable graphics card to run smoothly at higher settings.

    • “The game’s artistic graphics, combined with its unique sound design, fully immerse the player in the frozen, desperate world.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and the atmosphere is immersive, making Frostpunk a truly unique and engrossing experience.”
    • “The graphics, audio, and gameplay come together to foster an underlying feeling of desperation that will stay with you regardless of difficulty, scenario, or hours of playtime.”
    • “Unfortunately, the graphic quality was a major draw to this game and I've had to lessen it considerably to have it run properly (100GB of free disk space while playing).”
    • “The graphics suck.”
    • “The graphics are a bit muted, but they fit the aesthetic of the game well.”
  • music2,472 mentions

    The music in "Frostpunk" is widely praised for its haunting beauty and emotional depth, effectively enhancing the game's atmosphere of desperation and survival. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's orchestral compositions, which adapt to the game's tense moments, creating a gripping experience that resonates with players. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's narrative and emotional impact, making it a memorable aspect of the gameplay.

    • “The music is hauntingly beautiful and the graphics really give the post-apocalyptic feel.”
    • “The soundtrack is a perfect complement to the game's excellent visual design, and is a big part of how immersive the game is.”
    • “The music, atmosphere, graphics, and story were all on point.”
    • “The music is just boring.”
    • “The music is overly-depressive though, and mind you they should have thought of a few tracks that inspire 'hope' since that's one of the mechanics of the game.”
    • “The only downside is that the music is fairly monotonous, and can get a bit wearying (seeing as how depressing the entire game is).”
  • atmosphere1,591 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Frostpunk" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the bleakness and desperation of a post-apocalyptic world. Players commend the stunning visuals, evocative soundtrack, and the emotional weight of moral decisions, all of which contribute to a gripping experience that keeps them engaged throughout. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay depth and replayability, the game's atmosphere remains its standout feature, drawing players into its chilling narrative and environment.

    • “Shattering cold visuals and a chilling soundtrack create a mood and atmosphere that makes for extremely cozy winter gameplay as Victorian Britons struggle to survive in a broken world.”
    • “The game’s tough moral choices, stunning visuals, and intense atmosphere create an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The atmosphere created by the game, artwork, and the music is well done.”
    • “The atmosphere is not nearly as oppressive without the events that change things up regularly and eventually after around the first blizzard you will have a city that works completely fine without any challenges and the game gets quite boring after a while.”
    • “While the gameplay is perhaps not all that different from other city builders, the game really drives home the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere created by subtle things, like the world growing colder and the sides of the screen icing as you hear the world freezing.”
  • replayability1,531 mentions

    The replayability of Frostpunk is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while the game offers a variety of scenarios and moral choices that can lead to different outcomes, the overall experience can feel repetitive after a few playthroughs. Some players appreciate the challenge of trying to optimize their strategies and achieve different endings, while others feel that the linear nature of the scenarios and scripted events limit long-term replay value. The addition of an endless mode and expansions has helped to enhance replayability for some, but many still express a desire for more diverse content and customization options to keep the experience fresh.

    • “I think the replay value on the main campaign would hold up reasonably well, the fact that there's a half a dozen extra scenarios that feel like they could almost be separate solid games is amazing, which change up your starting situation in interesting ways and give you a different plot and events and local wasteland to explore.”
    • “All in all, if you’re someone who loves strategy games with real consequences, detailed city-building mechanics, and a touch of survival, Frostpunk offers an experience that’s challenging, thought-provoking, and endlessly replayable.”
    • “The game's multiple scenarios and endless mode provide lasting replayability, making Frostpunk a must-play for fans of strategic survival games.”
    • “The initial playtime is not so long, as the scenarios have limited replayability and endless mode doesn't really offer much.”
    • “Your base game has absolutely no replay value, as once you memorize the scenarios there's absolutely no reason to do the same scenarios over again.”
    • “The main problem I have with this game is that it doesn't have any replay value.”
  • emotional447 mentions

    Frostpunk is widely praised for its profound emotional impact, as players navigate heart-wrenching decisions that test their moral compass while managing a struggling society in a harsh, post-apocalyptic world. The game effectively combines gripping storytelling, atmospheric visuals, and a haunting soundtrack to create an immersive experience that evokes a range of emotions, from despair to fleeting joy. Many players report feeling deeply invested in the lives of their citizens, often leading to moments of genuine emotional turmoil and reflection on the value of human life.

    • “The intense struggle to keep your people alive while balancing resources and hope creates a deeply emotional and strategic experience.”
    • “The emotional weight of your leadership will be tested as you balance progress and morality.”
    • “Frostpunk is a compelling experience with a smart and interesting take on the genre that might not have the emotional punch you were looking for.”
    • “The story was heartbreaking and left me feeling empty.”
    • “I expected an emotional journey, but it fell flat and felt forced.”
    • “The characters' struggles were supposed to be moving, but I found them unrelatable and dull.”
  • optimization271 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, particularly in late-game scenarios or on lower-end hardware. While some users have noted that the game runs smoothly on higher-end systems, others express frustration over the lack of optimization, even at low settings, suggesting that the developers need to address these performance concerns to enhance the overall experience. Regular updates have been mentioned as a potential remedy, but many players still feel that the game is poorly optimized and requires serious patches.

    • “Regular updates and optimizations enhance the player experience.”
    • “Well optimized and graphics still look good today.”
    • “The game is optimized very well which makes playing it enjoyable, even on 3x speed.”
    • “Optimization is bad and it lags a lot even on lowest settings... I want developers to work on that... else the game is really good... it is like Plague Inc.”
    • “The game is really nice with a very good idea but with poor optimization and has many bugs and lags that will just spoil your gameplay. I'm very sorry that I paid for this game and simply cannot play it as it is crashing every time I'm trying to save the game or reach day 17+, and according to forums, this is very common for this game.”
    • “However, the optimization is extremely poor, to the point where the game will still suffer monster lags even with all graphic options on their lowest settings, and I will never be able to experience it despite my computer not being even one year old and being a very decent computer, if not top-notch.”
  • stability217 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and audio glitches, particularly on Mac systems. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay with minimal issues, a significant number have encountered persistent bugs that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration and unplayability for some. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern, especially for those with specific hardware configurations.

    • “All aspects of the game were well thought-out, it looks and runs great, and you really feel the pressure to help your community survive the harsh winters.”
    • “The developers and all involved seem to have made a well polished game, I have noticed no glitches or bugs so far, which is only a bonus for a new release.”
    • “It's completely bug free and runs perfectly.”
    • “Unplayable on Macs, regardless of your setup: the game freezes your entire OS and you will have to reboot manually; the developer was aware of this issue all the way back to Sonoma OS and did nothing.”
    • “The game is a buggy, glitchy, hot mess.”
    • “The only major issue in the game are the ridiculous amount of crashes and freezes the game goes through on an hourly basis; you can expect around one per hour, so remember to save constantly.”
  • grinding179 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while some players find it engaging and rewarding, many others describe it as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game and during micromanagement tasks. The need for extensive resource management and the pressure of achieving specific goals can lead to a feeling of monotony, with several players suggesting that it requires a significant time investment to progress. Overall, the game offers a challenging experience, but the grinding aspect can detract from enjoyment for some players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Difficult, not tedious.”
    • “It's an incredibly fun and challenging game, but allowing yourself to care about achievements will absolutely drive you up the wall because of how tedious a lot of them are.”
    • “The 'endless' modes are where the fun and longevity truly lie, but they have their own increasingly tedious demands.”
    • “While the game captures the atmosphere of despair and self-sacrifice very well, it soon becomes repetitive and tedious.”
  • monetization98 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism from users, primarily due to the intrusive in-game advertisements and large updates that seemingly serve only to promote other titles rather than enhance gameplay. Many players express frustration over the forced ads in a paid game, with some describing the frequent, hefty updates as a blatant cash grab. While some appreciate the absence of microtransactions, the overwhelming presence of ads and DLC promotions has led to a negative perception of the game's monetization practices.

    • “I will give the studio massive thanks for not taking the greedy route and making it full of microtransactions. I'm very grateful to them for their integrity.”
    • “There are no corners that the developers cut, and they still only asked $30 at launch for a perfectly working game that is gorgeous, fun, addicting, and has no microtransactions of any kind.”
    • “Additionally, all content updates were free; no DLC nor microtransactions will hamper (or ease) your experience.”
    • “Just opening the game brings up ads for another game, which are hard to skip, and a big add to wishlist button.”
    • “I'm sick of this game pushing updates that are nearly 1GB in size all for the sole purpose of pushing new ads to me in-game.”
    • “This is an advertisement board for their other games with some light survival strategy gameplay.”
  • humor69 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark and absurd elements, often highlighting the grim realities of survival in a comedic light. Players find themselves laughing at the outrageous scenarios, such as child labor and the absurdity of their characters' choices, while also experiencing moments of genuine emotional turmoil. Overall, the game successfully combines brutal strategy with a sense of humor that keeps players engaged and entertained, even amidst the chaos.

    • “In short, Frostpunk is a brilliantly brutal, darkly humorous journey of survival and strategy.”
    • “Your people will even riot and revolt against you if you can't keep them satisfied, which is funny to me because the world is a giant ice-ball and almost everyone is dead, so you think they would be more willing to work if it meant their survival, right?”
    • “It legit will talk trash to you when you complete a scenario which is hilarious and also kinda makes your heart hurt, you know, making choices like not saving people, child labor... the game will remind you that you're a terrible person for that.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The game features impressive character development, with a strong emphasis on the story and the growth of its citizens, all set against a stunning steampunk aesthetic characterized by detailed environments and intricate designs.

    • “There was a lot of effort put into its story and the character development of your citizens.”
    • “The game's steampunk aesthetic is stunning, with detailed environments and intricate character designs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

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Play time

18hMedian play time
41hAverage play time
8-33hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 336 analyzed playthroughs

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