Alright. Frostpunk 2 is actually quite a bit more difficult than Frostpunk 1, which is saying something. It is actually an amazing game, but for me personally, it is weighed down a bit by some of the design choices. My negatives in this review aren't going to keep it from receiving a positive rating because it IS objectively a fantastic game, but I do have some to discuss.

https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3435528879

First, I want to discuss the main positive as I see it, for this game. The actual story is deeper than the first game. This is in large part due to the various factions present in New London, and the fact that you actually need to have council votes in order to pass new laws, which is represented with a pretty deep system that includes bribery or the threat of violence and generally requires some form of negotiation in order to pass any law. There is never a consensus from the various factions on how to do things, and the push and pull required to get things done is very realistic. If you are a clever leader, you will be able to manipulate people into doing what you want, but not always, and often, it is you being manipulated. Which creates situations where you are beholden to a group for their past support.

This system has an impact on everything from research to what buildings are being constructed, how clean your city is, how healthy your population is, and so on. It is very possible for the people and the council to openly revolt against you, deposing you and taking over the city. Which is game over. Trying to find a balance between the factions that really want technological advancement and the factions who want a more natural and adaptive approach to building up and maintaining this new society is very challenging. Trying to balance need against worker safety, appropriate child labor and education laws, exploration, and so on is a constant battle.

I personally never felt like my feet were planted firmly on the ground. At any moment, everything could give way and fall apart. It's like trying to carry something heavy, but it keeps wanting to slip out of your hands, so you readjust and are fine for twenty or thirty seconds, but then your hands start to hurt and it starts slipping again, only to have to repeat this process until you hopefully get it to where it needs to be or drop it altogether and watch whatever it was break. That's this game in a nutshell. And the tension that comes with that is kind of awesome.

https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3435528885

There are a couple problems I have with this game though.

For one, the UI is far less user friendly in pretty much every way. Navigating the various systems as they've been utilized here, is going to be an obstacle for a lot of players, and I'm not sure I fully grasped all of them after about five hours in the game. The New London stuff I felt comfortable with. The colony stuff, trade routes, and so on, less so.

But the biggest issue I have is also attached to the colony/new settlement stuff. The biggest issue people had with the On the Edge DLC from the first game was the gameplay centered around finding and maintaining relationships with other communities, building roads, and so on. And so naturally, 11 bit studios doubled down on that by not only making it the emphasis of Frostpunk 2 but making it even more exasperating since you have to maintain these other settlements the same way you have to maintain New London as far as building, maintaining resources, and so on. I can respect that they had a vision for how they could expand upon the first game, but it is comical that they chose the very thing people disliked the most as their primary creative vision. It is a bit of a game killer for me, personally. Which isn't to say it doesn't work or isn't appropriate. But it very much isn't something I personally enjoy.

https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3435528864

And it all also mirrors modern day real life so much, that I'm not sure I could even be in a good head space to want to double up on the general ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ going on in our world by also wanting it going on in my hobby as well.

Ultimately, I do believe this is a fantastic game, but it just doesn't hit well for me, and I find myself really not wanting to continue playing it. It will receive a positive rating, but I personally will be moving on to the next game.

You can see from my play hours that sadly I just don't like this one like I liked Frostpunk 1.
I don't enjoy how fiddly it is to get optimum layouts. Something has just departed since 1. The fear the mystery. The zoomed in and more personnel camera. Seeing your individual and names people toil and try to survive. The scope of this game ruined that.

First game was a masterpiece, that where gameplay mechanics and story did go hand in hand. It was a real struggle to keep everyone alive. The second game you just press all the buttons and win. There a no real decisions that feel meaningful. Deaths have become meaningless numbers that you can try to keep small but they are inevitable.

I get that they tried to go further and not do the same game again, but all I want is a Frostpunk 1 remaster with mod support, that enables the community to create scenarios.

Maybe it will be an ok or good game with further support. Buy it in a sale