Deal | Steam: “exceptionally oppressive” – acclaimed city builder on sale for $4.50
Frostpunk is a survival city-builder that stands out with its relentlessly bleak atmosphere, morally challenging choices and a gripping narrative – rare qualities in the genre. Set during a devastating ice age that has pushed humanity to the edge of extinction, players take on the role of a leader guiding a group of survivors who have settled around a massive steam generator in northern England – their last source of warmth in a world frozen solid.
The goal: to build a functioning society – or at least a system capable of survival. But Frostpunk goes far beyond a simple survival story; it’s a constant moral balancing act. Every decision carries weight, often forcing you to choose between equally grim options. Do you introduce child labor to keep production running, or risk falling behind? Allow public executions to maintain order or face potential rebellion? It's rarely about making the right choice – it's about choosing the lesser evil, knowing someone will always pay the price.
At its core, Frostpunk is a city builder in the traditional sense – you manage resources like coal, food and steel to keep your people from freezing or starving. But unlike typical games in the genre, the focus isn't on expansion, it's on survival. The generator at the heart of the city provides essential heat, shaping the entire layout around its reach. Adding further depth are exploration teams, a detailed tech tree and a law book that lets you shape society – often through difficult and controversial choices.
Reviews: Strong atmosphere, minor flaws in game design
The German gaming magazine GameStar reviewed Frostpunk and called it “beautiful, motivating and captivating – yet also sad, unsettling and haunting.” The editors praised its heavy atmosphere, shaped by a striking steampunk setting, a powerful soundtrack and outstanding visuals. They even described the game's mood as extraordinary for a city builder. According to the testers, the blend of resource management, research and morally complex decisions creates a compelling mix of motivation, tension and depth.
GameStar did raise some criticisms regarding game design choices. Once a law is enacted, it can’t be reversed, and there’s limited insight into the individual needs of citizens. The restricted building space also curbs long-term strategic flexibility and the game can become somewhat overwhelming in its later stages. Despite these points, Frostpunk earned an impressive 89 out of 100 from GameStar. The reception across other platforms is just as positive: the city builder boasts around 100,000 reviews with a 92% positive rating on Steam, alongside a Metascore of 84 and a user score of 8.3 on Metacritic.
85% discount on Steam
Frostpunk, developed by 11 bit studios, was released in April 2018 as a mid-budget AA title and is typically priced at around $30 on Steam. However, until May 22, it’s available with a big 85% discount, bringing the price down to just $4.50. According to SteamDB, even steeper discounts of up to 90% have been offered before – most recently during the Real-Time Strategy Fest in mid-January. So if you're willing to wait, you might catch an even better deal.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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