11 bit studios is officially bringing its acclaimed survival city-builder Frostpunk back to the frozen wastes—this time with a complete next-gen overhaul. Dubbed Frostpunk: 1886, the remake is set to launch in 2027 and will be built entirely in Unreal Engine 5, marking a major leap in both visual fidelity and gameplay depth.
A Modern Take on a Brutal Classic
Originally released in 2018, Frostpunk gained cult status for its morally gray decision-making, city-building under impossible odds, and bleak storytelling. With 1886, 11 bit aims to retain the soul of the original while reimagining its systems from the ground up.
According to the developers, the game will feature completely revamped mechanics, a redesigned Purpose path, and new laws that will add even more complexity to an already punishing world. Think of it less as a remaster and more as a full-fledged reboot.
“We’re not just modernizing the visuals—we’re enhancing the entire experience,” said Jakub Stokalski, game director at 11 bit. “The way people build, make choices, and survive in 1886 will feel more dynamic and immersive than ever before.”
Unreal Engine 5 + Mod Support
One of the biggest additions to Frostpunk: 1886 is native mod support, something fans have been asking about for years. Combined with the power of UE5, the team promises a highly moddable and visually stunning sandbox of despair.
Expect massive snow physics upgrades, smarter AI pathing, and lighting effects that truly capture the hopelessness of a sunless world.
Parallel Dev with Frostpunk 2
While Frostpunk 2 remains in development, 1886 is being created alongside the sequel rather than in its shadow. That means two drastically different experiences from the same universe: one expanding the timeline, the other reimagining its roots.
Release Window & Platforms
Frostpunk: 1886 is targeting a 2027 release window. No platforms have been officially confirmed yet, but sources close to Insider Gaming say we can expect a PC and current-gen console release, with next-gen optimizations a given.
1-Up Games 