The Hardest Starting Locations In Frostpunk 2’s Utopia Builder Mode

The Hardest Starting Locations In Frostpunk 2's Utopia Builder Mode

As a seasoned Frostpunk player, I must say that each starting location in Frostpunk 2 presents its unique set of challenges and rewards, making every gameplay experience distinct and engaging. Among these, the one that stands out as the ultimate test of survival skills is undoubtedly the Horizon map.


In the highly praised game known as Frostpunk 2, players have a multitude of responsibilities to manage. The steward must consistently balance the needs of warmth, environment, food, and resources for their citizens, all while striving to evolve from mere survival to prosperity in this harsh and unyielding terrain.

After players have dived into the primary narrative, the not-so-idyllic “Utopia Builder” emerges to offer a more flexible gameplay experience for players’ urban development aspirations. In this phase, players can pick the location of their own city and strive to construct a thriving metropolis that’s both self-sustaining and resilient. Much like the previous game’s settings, these initial locations present players with unique yet formidable challenges as they try to survive the harsh cold conditions in their chosen city.

5 Fractured Gorge

A Ravaged Environment With Few Resources

The Hardest Starting Locations In Frostpunk 2's Utopia Builder Mode

The Fragmented Canyon poses an intriguing conundrum to the player as they strive to effectively arrange, manage, and coordinate their city. The unpredictable frozen landscape rich in geothermal reserves, coupled with the scarcity of conventional fuel deposits, necessitates that players strategize around these natural heat sources. Given the randomized nature of this map, a significant portion of the challenge or ease is left to the whims of fortune. This starting location may not be ideal for those unaccustomed to utilizing geothermal reserves. It’s a challenging beginning, with a compact map size that could potentially leave many players struggling for resources.

It’s important for players to first grasp the technique for obtaining fundamental resources by breaking frost, before attempting to survive in that harsh, initial, resource-scarce setting.

4 Dreadnought

Harkening Back To The Prologue With A Broken Generator

The Hardest Starting Locations In Frostpunk 2's Utopia Builder Mode

In Frostpunk 2, the initial map of the Dreadnought may appear unchallenging at first sight, but don’t be deceived. The primary factor determining survival is the management of warmth. Neglecting this and failing to establish an effective system for distributing heat can prove fatal, even for experienced Frostpunk players. When a game starts with abundant coal or oil resources nearby, it might seem like the player has been given an advantage. However, such resources can be misleading and lead to potential difficulties in the early stages of the game.

In Dreadnought, a quick start may not guarantee success because maintaining that pace can be challenging. Players will discover that while it’s easy to manage fuel, especially during the early stages, the scarcity and spacing of other resources will rapidly become a significant problem if they’re not cautious. Prioritizing frostbreaking is crucial, but with limited resources available, deciding where to frostbreak first becomes a delicate balance. Is it wise to prioritize fertile soil deposits? If no prefabs are being replenished to manufacture and upkeep districts, will that choice be sustainable? This map, modeled after the prologue map, will keep players doubting their priorities even as they progress into the mid-game.

3 Hanging Rock

A Balanced Start That Loses Momentum Quickly

The Hardest Starting Locations In Frostpunk 2's Utopia Builder Mode

At Hanging Rock, resources are well-balanced, but its compact beginning zone and complex terrain can be difficult for those accustomed to constructing extensive or optimized cities. To effectively manage this initial location, it’s suggested to focus on researching advanced technology that enables rapid frostbreak and developing districts or buildings that are more efficient in terms of space and resource usage.

Inefficient players who fall behind technologically may discover, as the game progresses, that there are no more dependable sources for resource collection during the middle to late stages. As these resources become scarce, a state of confusion and disorder might ensue.

2 Broken Shore

A Difficult Start Lacking Iron

The Hardest Starting Locations In Frostpunk 2's Utopia Builder Mode

The region known as Broken Shore is exceptionally chilly, characterized by a harsh, icy coastal breeze and numerous expanses of frozen water. Although it provides essential resources like food and oil in the initial stages of development, the scarcity of significant iron deposits makes progress towards advanced construction and technology quite difficult. As the city expands over vast, open terrain, this issue will only grow larger.

On this map, it’s crucial to consider the harmony between districts, as an abundance of oil for heating purposes may exist, yet without iron for researching advanced warming methods, players should aim to make the best possible use of this heat economically. Locating iron isn’t unattainable, but players must be meticulous about its usage, ensuring it’s employed effectively and at the right times.

1 Horizon

This Huge Map Makes Getting Resources A Trek

The Hardest Starting Locations In Frostpunk 2's Utopia Builder Mode

In “Frostpunk 2,” the Horizon map is likely to present a challenging starting point due to its expansive size and well-balanced resource distribution, which are situated quite distant from the initial area. This large-scale, intricate map necessitates strategic planning that differs significantly from smaller maps where city districts need to be economically self-sufficient and closely connected. The cities on Horizon must spread out to bring resources into the settlement more swiftly, but this can lead to issues with maintaining warmth distribution.

To thrive on this map, players should aim to leverage every possible advantage. This means building strong relationships with the factions and making full use of any minor benefits available.

Read More

2024-09-26 16:03