Rune 07 · Survival city builder · 11 bit studios, 2018
Frostpunk
The last city on a frozen Earth, built around a giant generator. Every law you pass has a human cost.
Edition reviewed: Frostpunk (2018).
Official artwork © 11 bit studiosWhat you do
Build around a generator, gather coal and food, pass laws, and keep people alive and hopeful as the cold gets worse.
Who it suits
Adults who want a strategy game with weight. Some choices are uncomfortable by design.
01The opening
Refugees arrive at a crater with a dead generator. You light it, build tents and realise there is not enough coal.
02The midgame
Laws like child labour or extended shifts force hard choices. The cold keeps dropping, and hope and discontent rise and fall.
03Where to stop
Each in-game day is a natural pause. Scenarios end on a set day, which is a satisfying finish.
Why it works
- Powerful moral choices
- Tense, focused scenarios
- Clear endings
Watch out for
- Bleak
- Limited replay variety
The score
Overall 4.4 out of 5 · Deep carved · how we score
Our verdict
A city builder with a conscience. Hard, cold and memorable.
Written by the Rune Hall desk. Updated 23 October 2026. Facts were checked against the publisher and store pages at that date; prices and platforms can change.