Frostpunk 2 Difficulty Guide: Is the Game Really Twice as Hard Than the Original?

If you’re diving into Frostpunk 2, you’re about to face a gruelling survival challenge like no other. This survival city-builder game demands careful planning, resource management, and swift decision-making as you lead a city against a world gripped by an unforgiving frost. One wrong move can cost hundreds of lives, so it’s important to choose the right difficulty setting to match your experience level and play style.

To all #Frostpunk #Streamers playing the game on @Twitch nowadays:

We dare you to play the game on HARD difficulty. 🖤 😎#Survival | #Society | #TheCityMustSurvive pic.twitter.com/dWRmeaXA34

— Frostpunk 2 (@frostpunkgame) April 19, 2018

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need about Frostpunk 2’s difficulty settings and how to customize your gameplay for the upcoming challenge you face.

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Frostpunk 2 Difficulty Levels

Frostpunk 2 offers four main difficulty levels, each tailored to different player experiences. These levels adjust how challenging resource management is, how brutal the weather becomes, and how demanding the population is.

In addition, once you select your difficulty setting, it cannot be changed during the campaign. If you find the game too easy or hard, the only way to adjust the difficulty is to restart the campaign entirely. So, think carefully before committing to your choice! Here’s what each difficulty entails:

1) Citizen Difficulty

• We Recommend: Newcomers to the game or the genre.

Citizen is the easiest difficulty setting, ideal for those just starting with Frostpunk 2 or city-building games in general. While the game will still present its fair share of challenges, there’s plenty of room for mistakes.

Resources are more abundant, the weather is less punishing, and the population is easier to keep satisfied. If you’re looking for a relatively relaxed experience while learning the mechanics, this is the mode to start with.

2) Officer Difficulty

• We Recommend: Players with some experience in survival or city-building games.

The Officer difficulty in Frostpunk 2 ramps up the challenge slightly. While still manageable, resources are scarcer, and the demands of your population increase. You won’t have as much leeway to make errors, and careful planning becomes more crucial.

It’s an excellent middle ground for those who played the first Frostpunk but aren’t ready for the most punishing settings.

3) Steward Difficulty

• We Recommend: Experienced players familiar with the original Frostpunk.

Steward in Frostpunk 2 takes the difficulty up another notch. Mistakes can lead to catastrophic consequences, as resources are tightly limited, weather conditions become extreme, and managing your population’s morale becomes more critical.

This setting demands forward thinking and expertise in balancing the various systems in the game. If you want a significant challenge but aren’t quite ready for the hardest mode, this is a sufficient challenge.

4) Captain Difficulty

• We Recommend: Hardcore players seeking the ultimate test.

Captain is the hardest difficulty available in Frostpunk 2, designed for those who thrive under pressure. With scarce resources, devastating weather, and a demanding population, this mode leaves almost no room for error.

Expect to manage constant crises and make tough decisions in rapid succession. If you’re gunning for the game’s hardest achievements or enjoy punishing survival experiences, Captain Difficulty will give you the challenge you crave.

5) Survival Mode Is For the Best of the Best

For those who want to go beyond the standard difficulty settings, Frostpunk 2 introduces Survivor Mode. This mode disables the pause function, forcing you to make decisions in real time, and only allows you to save the game when you exit.

This adds a layer of tension, as there’s no room to reconsider your actions during critical moments. Survivor Mode is an optional checkbox you can select during setup, but it’s only recommended for players who truly understand the game’s mechanics.

Also Read: How to Change Difficulty Settings in Starfield?

Customising Frostpunk 2 Difficulty

While these four presets offer distinct experiences, Frostpunk 2 allows you to customize the difficulty by adjusting specific gameplay elements individually. You can fine-tune the following aspects:

• Economy: Affects how efficiently your citizens cope with resource shortages and crises.
• Weather: Determines the severity and frequency of cold spells and storms.
• Frostland: Controls the resources available in the frozen wastelands surrounding your city.
• Society: Adjusts how cooperative or rebellious your population is when facing hardships.

For example, if you prefer intense resource management but want a more forgiving population, you can tweak the settings to your liking. This flexibility lets you tailor the challenge to your strengths or the type of experience you want.

Is Frostpunk 2 Harder than Frostpunk?

In consensus, yes. Players have reported that even on the lower difficulties, Frostpunk 2 can feel punishing, with every decision potentially leading to disaster. Moreover, many fans of the original have noted that Frostpunk 2 is tougher, requiring quick adaptation to its new systems.

Fortunately, the community has shared some quick tips to help you survive:

• Efficient Resource Management: Use every resource efficiently, as supply shortages can quickly escalate into catastrophe.
• Optimize Workforce: Maximize worker efficiency from the beginning, focusing on essential production chains.
• District Planning: Organize your city into heat-efficient districts to minimize resource waste.
• Heatstamps: Utilize heatstamps to get people back to work quickly during harsh cold snaps.

Closing Notes

In short, Frostpunk 2 offers a range of difficulty settings and customization options to suit every type of player, from beginners to survival veterans. Whether you’re looking to ease into the game on Citizen difficulty or test your leadership skills in Captain mode, it’s essential to choose the challenge that best matches your experience level.

And if you’re feeling brave, turning on Survivor Mode will push your skills to the limit. However, remember that failure is part of the journey in Frostpunk 2, but with careful planning and quick thinking, you can lead your people to a future in the cold wasteland.

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