How Frostpunk 2 Compares to Steampunk Games Like BioShock

How Frostpunk 2 Compares to Steampunk Games Like BioShock

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of steampunk-inspired games. From the grandeur of BioShock Infinite to the grittiness of Dishonored, I’ve traversed steam-powered cities and fought automatons in various guises. However, when it comes to Frostpunk 2, this game stands out like a gleaming cog amidst a heap of rusty gears.


As a devout enthusiast, I’d like to share my thoughts on the term “steampunk,” which gained popularity in the 1980s. Essentially, it’s a design aesthetic that draws inspiration from the Industrial Revolution of the Victorian era. However, steampunk isn’t just one thing; it can take many forms. What binds these diverse expressions is their shared incorporation of retro-futuristic technology, adorned with intricate gears and, as you might guess, steam. Based on this description, I firmly believe that the upcoming game, Frostpunk 2, can be considered a steampunk-inspired masterpiece.

In the sequel to “Frostpunk,” titled “Frostpunk 2,” players find themselves thrust into a bleak post-apocalyptic world, where a massive Frost has engulfed the globe, transforming it into an unyielding expanse of snow and ice. This world is inimical to human life, but survival can be achieved by gathering around heat-producing generators. These generators play a crucial role in “Frostpunk,” with their imposing industrial design lending the strategy game a unique steampunk flair. Notably, the steampunk aesthetics of “Frostpunk 2” differentiate it from other games in its genre in distinct ways.

Comparing Frostpunk 2’s Art Style to Other Steampunk-Inspired Games

Frostpunk 2 Doesn’t Share BioShock Infinite’s Deceptively Bright Aesthetic

In every corner, BioShock Infinite showcases its influence from the steampunk genre, as evidenced by its intricate world design, enemies, non-playable characters, and weapons that exude a distinctly steampunk aesthetic. You’ll encounter floating airships, rails for traversing buildings that seem to stretch into the sky, gleaming statues standing tall on the spotless city streets, and mechanical automatons of former U.S. presidents housed within grand halls and museums.

At first glance, the steam-powered world in BioShock Infinite appears to be a radiant and thriving utopia. However, there’s a sinister underbelly concealed beneath its gleaming veneer, much like Frostpunk 2. While the setting of BioShock Infinite seems less gritty or industrially bleak compared to Frostpunk 2, both share the commonality of being dystopian worlds. The steam-punk aesthetic in BioShock Infinite is more reminiscent of classic Americana imagery, whereas Frostpunk 2 draws more from Victorian England’s steampunk stylistic influences.

Frostpunk 2 and Dishonored Share a Much More Similar Art Style

A more apt comparison for the art style of Frostpunk 2 can be drawn with the Dishonored series, although some fans humorously labeled Dishonored‘s aesthetic as “Whalepunk” due to its world’s heavy use of whale oil instead of steam. However, it’s clear that the art style of Dishonored is deeply rooted in the steampunk genre. The buildings and interiors of Dishonored reflect Victorian-era architecture, while its lantern-lit streets show a striking similarity to those seen in the city of New London in Frostpunk 2.

In the sequel of Frostpunk, named Frostpunk 2, there’s a striking resemblance between its steampunk architecture and that seen in Dishonored. This becomes particularly evident in one of the new features – the Council Hall in Frostpunk 2. While you can only observe the interior from an overhead view, it shares many characteristics with various locations across the original Dishonored, its expansions, and sequel. These similarities include circular chambers, gleaming white floors, and grandiose glass windows.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve come across some fascinating automatons in various games. In ‘Dishonored’, I’ve battled against mechanical adversaries like Clockwork Soldiers, Clockwork Sentinels, and Tallboys. On the other hand, ‘Frostpunk 2’ introduces its own imposing Automaton, a mobile platform that strolls on four slender, robotic legs. These Automatons in ‘Frostpunk 2’ are fueled by Steam Cores, a precious resource that’s quite hard to come by.

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2024-09-30 16:04