The first Frostpunk 2 DLC makes factions matter way more, and you can sign up to try it early if you're fast

With winter about to seize half of the world in a frigid grasp once more, could there be a better time to hunker down at home with the Frostpunk 2 Fractured Utopias DLC - the first paid content patch since one of the best city-building games released last year? This new expansion adds a bunch of extra skill trees, over 100 narrative events, and lots more to, you guessed it, Utopia mode. That means you can struggle to survive the never-ending winter of the survival game as the hopefully non-hazardous version of the same season outside your house simply suggests you wear a coat outside as opposed to, say, six layers and ski goggles.

Designed with long-requested "distinctive experiences" of faction playability in mind, the next Frostpunk 2 DLC adds a redesigned starting screen that lets you pick one of eight factions to shape the direction of your next campaign. The Technocrats go for "technological dominance," which sounds fitting, while the Legionnaires aim for - and we'll give you a second to think about this one - a militarized society, that's right.

Each of these eight factions work their way down a unique skill tree, unlocking "new abilities, buildings, and hubs" as you perform whatever actions are needed to earn their favor. With enough influence, your city will start to reflect the signature style of those you align yourself with.

But don't worry, dear Citizen. Utopia mode isn't the only part of the game getting a new lease of life. With the Plague and Doomsayers challenges, you'll have two new Tales to struggle through as well. The Plague Tale (not that one) sets you up with the monumental task of finding the cure to curb a rapidly spreading outbreak before your city finds another way to become a frozen heap of corpses.

Doomsayers, on the other hand, sees your city invaded by the average town-center preacher or Rapture-riding TikTok mob, who'll make it their mission to blast the morale of your citizens by proclaiming that the end is nigh. This time for sure, though, right? It's our fault. We're all going to hell. At least they have the heating on.

Whichever way you like to spend time in your frozen metropolis, it looks as if the Frostpunk 2 Fractured Utopia will have some new way to punish yourself. And if you want to get an early look and tinker with the new content before you're expected to pay for it, you can join the ongoing playtest to share your feedback. Just log into the Frostpunk 2 First Look website and link your Discord until November 3.

Once that's over, you only have to wait until it gets a little colder outside (and part with an as-yet undisclosed amount of cash) to play again. The Frostpunk 2 Fractured Utopias expansion drops on December 8, 2025. Merry frigid Christmas.

With a DLC release window in sight, Frostpunk 2 also happens to be on a steep discount. So if you're just hopping in ahead of the arrival of new factions, you might want to learn how to increase trust in Frostpunk 2. And you won't want to leave it until it's too late to learn how to heat homes in Frostpunk 2, either.

Got some choice strategies to share with other Citizens trying to survive a space battered by an apocalyptic snowstorm? Hop into the PCGamesN Discord to discuss the best ways to see New London through a new ice age.