Survival in the Palm of Your Hand: “Frostpunk 2” Reveals Console Trailer and September Release Date

The unforgiving, frozen world of Frostpunk 2 is making the leap from PC to consoles, and it’s bringing with it a new trailer that showcases a tailored experience for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. At Gamescom 2025’s Opening Night Live, developer 11 Bit Studios dropped the official Console Gameplay Trailer, a stunning look at how the complex, city-building survival game will be a perfect fit for a gamepad. The trailer also confirmed a definitive release date of September 18, 2025, a major announcement for players who have been waiting patiently to face the brutal challenges of the post-apocalyptic ice age from their couches. This is a powerful statement of intent from the developers that they are committed to making the game accessible to as many players as possible, regardless of their platform of choice.

The Console Gameplay Trailer is a masterclass in showcasing a complex game with a new control scheme. The footage highlights the new user interface, which has been completely redesigned to accommodate a controller. The UI features a new radial menu that provides quick access to vital actions, from assigning jobs to enacting laws. The game’s intricate systems, from the new district-based city building to the new political factions, are all shown to be easily navigable with a controller. This is a major improvement from the console port of the first game, which was a more straightforward translation of the PC controls. The developers have stated that their goal was to create a game that feels native to the console, and the trailer is a clear signal that they have succeeded.

A New Era of Political and Social Conflict

Beyond the new control scheme, the trailer also gives us a fresh look at the core gameplay of Frostpunk 2. The game is set 30 years after the first, and it focuses less on the immediate survival from the elements and more on the political and social conflicts that arise from rebuilding civilization. The game’s new “Council Hall” is a major focus of the trailer, with players having to navigate between different factions with conflicting ideologies. The trailer shows the player proposing new laws and negotiating with the council members to get a simple majority, or in some cases, a two-thirds vote. This new political layer adds a new level of strategic depth to the game, as every decision has a direct impact on the city’s population and their allegiance to the Steward. The game is no longer just about keeping your people alive; it’s about leading them to a brighter future, one that is often fraught with difficult moral choices and unforeseen consequences.

The console launch of Frostpunk 2 is a major event, and it is made even better by the news that the game will be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one. This is a massive win for players who have been waiting to try the game without a large upfront cost. The game will also be available in two physical editions, the “Icebreaker Edition” and the “Whiteout Edition,” which include a variety of physical and digital collectibles. For fans of the series, this is a major bonus that shows the developers are committed to a variety of players. The trailer for the console version of Frostpunk 2 is a powerful statement of intent. It proves that the developers have not just ported the game but have reimagined it for a new platform. The game is a perfect example of a new era for survival strategy games, and for players on console, the wait for the new ice age is almost over.