Frostpunk: Console Edition

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 120
  3. Negative: 11 out of 120
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  1. MrInfuse
    Oct 11, 2019
    10
    Amazing game with real choices and consequences you feel real depth and struggle as you build up your city from nothing with limited resources in a beautifully crafted world 10/10 Must play
  2. Nessiah
    Oct 12, 2019
    10
    The best city builder I have ever played on PC now works on PS4 as well. Finally, I am able to play over 10-hours session without back pain. Thank you 11bit
  3. qurczak
    Oct 12, 2019
    10
    best and most ambitious city builder with survival elements I've ever played!
  4. Mafiabrett
    Oct 16, 2019
    9
    Played this on the PS4 Pro. I have to say this is one of the best Indie City Builders out there. It mixes a Survival element and Political element to the game that makes it stand out from the others. Its the perfect game to play this Winter, sitting in a chilly room playing a game about a new ice age taking over the world. The game plays fairly good too, didnt have any performance issuesPlayed this on the PS4 Pro. I have to say this is one of the best Indie City Builders out there. It mixes a Survival element and Political element to the game that makes it stand out from the others. Its the perfect game to play this Winter, sitting in a chilly room playing a game about a new ice age taking over the world. The game plays fairly good too, didnt have any performance issues aside from split second frame rate drops during a autosave which happens on all platforms. My only complaint is there being only 4 Story Scenarios, that's where the game shines best to me. Giving context and story to the world while putting the player in a fun little challenge. Also at time of this review, console versions dont have "The Rifts" DLC Map/Scenario or any mention of them coming soon.

    In my Ratings:
    0-4 Games that I wish I hadn't spent money on
    5-7 Games that I enjoyed but probably wont play again
    8-10 Games that I loved and will definitely play again    … Expand
  5. Elvar
    Oct 21, 2019
    9
    It always makes me happy to play true quality games made from love. It's a great game to play with a friend on the couch to discuss decisions. Controls on the PS4 are perfect. Only thing keeping me from giving this a 10 is that the replayability is rather limited.
  6. tomvs123
    Nov 30, 2020
    8
    Great strategic and atmospheric survival city builder.

    FrostPunk is all about surviving hellish winters around giant heat generators. While limited in scope, it does an excellent job with what it has. Unlike most city builders, the goal here is to keep your people alive rather than building an interesting city. And with common temperatures much lower than you'd expect people to be    Great strategic and atmospheric survival city builder.

    FrostPunk is all about surviving hellish winters around giant heat generators. While limited in scope, it does an excellent job with what it has.

    Unlike most city builders, the goal here is to keep your people alive rather than building an interesting city. And with common temperatures much lower than you'd expect people to be able to survive in, you can make that happen.. Sometimes.

    The game's story scenarios cover different settlements that have been created in the wake of people leaving New London for various reasons. New London being the last known large outpost of humanity. For each, you get a well-written and voice-acted opening explanation, which leads you to your goals for that scenario.

    For example, in the first scenario, you're simply trying to keep your people happy to prevent them from leaving. In another one, you must deal with a huge number of refugees. In another, there's a lack of people, so you must build robots to maintain resource production facilities.

    At the default difficulty level, they're all challenging, even for someone who likes these kinds of games. You likely won't ace a scenario your first time though. Instead, you're probably scrape by with the bare minimum needed. An example here is that during one scenario, you find another outpost that is struggling and you can choose to send them resources. The easier way to complete the scenario would be to ignore the other outpost at the cost of having your people become more discontent from you allowing them to die. On my first time through, I was barely able to keep my outpost afloat, so had to sacrifice the other outpost.

    The building types, policies, and tech trees are done well, but aren't as complex as some other games. Arguably, they don't need to be complex and fit the game perfectly. Though this does limit the game's replayability.

    Building types primarily consist of housing, services that reduce discontent (churches, guard posts, arenas, etc.), medical, and resource gathering (coal, food, wood, metal). There's several other miscellaneous building types too. Your primary goal will be to keep everyone warm though heat production, meaning mining coal or wood to turn into coal. You'll additionally need metal to create certain building and research new technology.

    The primary challenge is to anticipate future resource usage and gather the resources needed to build and research things that will improve that resource usage. The game constantly throws you curve balls though. One example is severe temperature drops that could make the most technologically-advanced city fall if you're not prepared with enough coal stockpiles and medical facilities that will be needed to treat severe frostbite (leading to amputations) that is sure to come.

    Then there's the three policy trees. The main one covers things like improving medical facilities, making food last longer by making it less satisfying, and allowing duels or prostitution to reduce discontent. For the other two trees, religion or order, you can pick only one. Both work well to keep people content, but in different ways. And both can be exploited to their fullest potentials to make sure you stay in power. For example, the top religious policy basically makes you the voice of god and those who disagree will be killed. It works, but is definitely not one to pick if you want the best ending in a scenario.

    If you're a city building strategy fan and want something easy to learn, but challenging, and with a good atmospheric story, then this is the game for you.    … Expand
  7. sozkartal
    Jan 13, 2020
    8
    I think this game deserves an 8 but nothing more where you rate a game like This War of Mine with 10.
    The 11 Bit Studios could get another 10, only if they could extend the building and technology trees in the game.
  8. Berik
    Jan 18, 2021
    9
    Imagine our world back in the 19th century. The world is enveloped in industrialisation, with technological advances that we haven't even managed to attain in the 21st century. Steam and coal are the pillar stones of civilization. But then... A global ice age erupts, forcing humans to fight for survival by keeping the warmth of a generator going. If it stops working, humanity is gone.Imagine our world back in the 19th century. The world is enveloped in industrialisation, with technological advances that we haven't even managed to attain in the 21st century. Steam and coal are the pillar stones of civilization. But then... A global ice age erupts, forcing humans to fight for survival by keeping the warmth of a generator going. If it stops working, humanity is gone.

    Story:
    Frostpunk has 4 story scenario's, with the main story revolving around building and maintaining a city that faces loss of hope, committing to a strategy to keep people from leaving, and preparing for the coldest storm on Earth. What's impressive is that the choices that are presented feel like realistic options that can happen when humanity is faced with its worst enemy: itself. Doing nothing is not an option in the long run, but choosing between two evils is not easy either. As the story walks and steps on ethical lines with these choices, the game becomes increasingly immersive and exciting the further you get. Gameplay:
    The game plays as a RTS management simulator with a steampunk style. A giant generator stands in the middle of a ice crater, heating the surroundings where a city will be build. Every building is built on ground that surrounds the generator, thus relying on the heat to keep its occupants alive. The player needs to keep supplying the city with coal, or the generator turns off. You will have to make a viable economy to build and keep the city alive, but also make political decisions that can lead to creating a fanatic church, a totalitarian regime or even a city build on child labor. Harsh times require harsh measures.

    Graphics:
    For an indie game, the graphics are quite impressive on a Playstation 4. If you look at the city from medium height the steam, fires and lights look so warm in contrast to the cold ice, enveloped by icy winds. When zooming upclose to the individual people the details are very low, but Automatons are much more detailed.

    I've been thoroughly enjoying this game, as it is properly brutal and challenging till the final day. There are many different ways and strategies to tackle each scenario, and it plays on your own ethics as to how you want to achieve survival. It is a fantastic game, i give it a 9/10.    … Expand
  9. ArReviews
    Oct 15, 2019
    9
    Best strategy city builder / survival sim game on a console. Amazing port. Worth buying.
  10. n0m0188
    Oct 20, 2019
    7
    It is a very amazing, beautiful and stunning game. With the Ps4 or pro you will get a error in endless mode since they did not add a way so you can adjust on the graphics so that makes the game very annoying at times when you did not save but it would be great if when a update could make it so that you can play without errors in endless mode. 7.5 out of 10
  11. KettoKetto
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    Challenging city-builder game. Choices matter a lot in every scenario. Great design and graphics!!
  12. karay123
    Jun 20, 2020
    6
    Great city builder, for me a little too hard. After a few hours there is nothing to do more, not enough buildings to create. New expansion is coming, so maybe that will change.
  13. gmzstation
    Jul 11, 2021
    9
    This game is amazing i wish the luck foot the team who made this game amaaaazing
  14. Sharki
    Dec 14, 2020
    9
    I struggle to think of a single significant complaint I have with this game. Beautiful on the ps4, engaging and immersive world, strategic resource gathering / city building gameplay that will put you on the edge of your seat scrambling to save your settlers when things invariably go awry. I was pleasantly surprised by how well Frostpunk handles with a controller and by the bug-free natureI struggle to think of a single significant complaint I have with this game. Beautiful on the ps4, engaging and immersive world, strategic resource gathering / city building gameplay that will put you on the edge of your seat scrambling to save your settlers when things invariably go awry. I was pleasantly surprised by how well Frostpunk handles with a controller and by the bug-free nature of the game. Is this game a 10? I'd have to say that it's a bit too limited in its scope and replayability to warrant a perfect score, but I would award it a 9.5 if I could. If you enjoy resource management strategy games don't pass this one up.… Expand
  15. Bibikelis
    Dec 7, 2021
    10
    Отличная игра проходил 2 раза.очень жду 2 чуть. Кому понравилось стоит попробовать They Are Billions.
  16. wcbalis
    Oct 20, 2021
    9
    Another amazing installment from 11bit, who are tied with Supergiant as my favorite indie gaming studio. Frostpunk is absolutely brutal and challenging, not to mention a little terrifying, considering our own concerns around climate change. The game's graphics and art direction are beautifully detailed, and the axial layout of your city is both unique and jaw-droppingly gorgeous. ThereAnother amazing installment from 11bit, who are tied with Supergiant as my favorite indie gaming studio. Frostpunk is absolutely brutal and challenging, not to mention a little terrifying, considering our own concerns around climate change. The game's graphics and art direction are beautifully detailed, and the axial layout of your city is both unique and jaw-droppingly gorgeous. There is so much depth in the numerous systems at play, but after a short initial play session, I not only understood them all mechanically, but thematically as well. You'll experience an increasing sense of satisfaction as you master these systems, watching your frozen encampment grow into a bustling city. In terms of replayability, the game comes with several scenarios and map layouts that drastically change how you play; however, I highly recommend purchasing the Last Autumn DLC as well. As stated earlier, the game can be very difficult, even oppressive at times; but if you like city building sims and don't mind the occasional soul-crushing defeat after literal hours of hard work trying to keep the citizens in your city alive and happy...then you should absolutely pick this one up.… Expand
  17. medoemo7773
    Jul 28, 2022
    2
    it is so hard game, do what ever you do, but after 10 minitues sure you will lose
  18. Turbo2001
    May 6, 2023
    10
    Brilliant game. One of the most time and immersion absorbing games I have played.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Cubed3
    Jun 1, 2020
    90
    Frostpunk is quite simply one of the best city-building experiences on the PlayStation 4 with a highly detailed narrative written for four huge campaigns. The sadness in there only being four campaigns is a true testament to the team at 11 Bit Studios, as they have crafted such a memorable experience, with gut-wrenching decisions at every turn. The savagery of the game can have long-lasting effects that can carry into the subsequent play-throughs, as the memories of what arose from making previous decisions can sway future decisions down other pathways. For those who wish to experience a more laid-back 'Sim City' like experience, then this title may not be the right title to jump into. However after experiencing this, it will be easy to feel anxious to see whatever the team behind it has in store next.
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  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 18, 2019
    90
    Frostpunk is oppressive, horrific, and preternaturally addictive. The exhilaration at lasting just one more day is enough to drag you back into the next game, and unlocking new modes and scenarios as you go only adds fuel to the fire. Don’t miss this one. [Issue#169, p.84]
  3. PlayStation Country
    Oct 28, 2019
    80
    If strategy games seem boring or scare you off with all their micro-management nonsense, then this strategic city-builder might be the game to win you over. It's polished, deep, accessible, addictive and it will challenge your character more than any game we've played in years.
    Read full review
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