PGC NEWS

Frostpunk, the acclaimed 2018 city-building survival game, captivated players with its gripping narrative, bleak atmosphere, and challenging gameplay. The final expansion, Frostpunk: On The Edge, promised a new storyline and additions to Endless Mode. Does it live up to the legacy of its predecessor? Let’s delve into the details and see if this expansion delivers a satisfying conclusion.

A Limited Scope

Frostpunk: On The Edge Outpost 11

Frostpunk: On The Edge begins with a somewhat misleading premise. While the initial presentation suggests the opportunity to build and develop settlements across the frozen wasteland, players are ultimately confined to managing a small outpost known as Outpost 11. This outpost is perpetually struggling with resource shortages, energy deficits, and the constant demand to supply resources to the main city, New London.

This setup introduces some interesting conflicts. Players must decide whether to prioritize their own survival or meet New London’s demands, leading to understandable tensions. Unlike previous scenarios, players have limited control over enacting laws, which are dictated by the game. Managing discontent and hope becomes more challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with the core Frostpunk mechanics.

Frostpunk: On The Edge Conflict with New London

While the conflict with New London sounds promising, its execution feels superficial and underdeveloped. Resolving these conflicts is surprisingly easy, and seasoned Frostpunk players are unlikely to feel emotionally invested in New London’s fate, given the small scale of Outpost 11.

Furthermore, several key features from the base game, such as Automaton construction and crucial buildings like the Greenhouse, are absent in this expansion. This design choice might have been intended to increase reliance on New London, but it ultimately restricts player agency and feels unnecessarily limiting.

The conflicts, while intriguing on paper, are ultimately shallow and lack impact.

Adding to the disappointment is the expansion’s brevity. A playthrough can be completed in under an hour and a half.

Lackluster Endless Mode Additions

Frostpunk: On The Edge Expedition

The only notable addition to Endless Mode is the inclusion of random encounters with other settlements during expeditions. These settlements can offer assistance in dealing with random hazards. While this feature sounds promising in theory, its impact on gameplay is minimal and feels largely inconsequential.

Conclusion

Frostpunk: On The Edge falls short of expectations. The limited scope, underdeveloped conflicts, and lackluster additions to Endless Mode make it a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise excellent game. While the premise of interacting with New London and navigating resource management presents intriguing possibilities, the execution ultimately feels rushed and incomplete. The short playtime and removal of key features further contribute to the feeling that this expansion fails to capitalize on the potential of the Frostpunk universe. For players seeking a substantial and satisfying Frostpunk experience, revisiting the base game or its previous expansions, The Rifts and The Last Autumn, would be a more rewarding endeavor.