Frostpunk 2, the highly anticipated sequel from 11 Bit Studios, is set to release on PC Game Pass on September 20, 2024. However, console players eager to dive into the post-apocalyptic city-building game will have to wait until some time in 2025. Despite its stellar reception, console gamers won't get to experience the survival strategy until next year, leaving many fans disappointed.

Xbox Game Pass and the Road Ahead

2024 has been a significant year for Xbox Game Pass, bringing a slew of exciting day-one titles but also introducing some controversial changes. Most notably, price hikes and the decision to restrict many games to the Ultimate tier have sparked frustration among subscribers. These structural shifts, though unpopular, haven’t stopped Microsoft from expanding its Game Pass offerings, which include securing major third-party titles like Frostpunk 2.

Frostpunk 2's inclusion on PC Game Pass from launch is a bright spot in Microsoft's strategy, but console gamers will need patience before they can get in on the action. While PC players can begin strategizing their survival on September 20, console users will have to endure a wait that extends well into 2025.

Why the Delay?

The confirmation of the delay came directly from 11 Bit Studios, who responded to a fan query on Twitter asking why Frostpunk 2 wasn’t showing up on the PlayStation Store. In their response, the developers clarified that the game’s console version will not launch until 2025. This means that Xbox Game Pass subscribers on consoles can anticipate Frostpunk 2 as a potential day-one addition next year. While the news provides much-needed clarity, it has sparked some disappointment, especially considering the gap between the PC and console releases.

Frostpunk 2’s Early Reception

Despite the delay for consoles, Frostpunk 2 has been met with critical acclaim ahead of its release. Like its predecessor, the game offers a city-building survival experience, but with deeper mechanics and tougher decisions. Players are once again tasked with managing resources and navigating a world on the brink of collapse, all while making morally complex choices that can alter the course of their society.

Early reviews have praised Frostpunk 2 for its intense atmosphere, improved mechanics, and gripping storytelling, calling it a worthy follow-up to the 2018 original. The positive reception on PC Game Pass has only fueled console players' desire to jump into the game, making the extended wait feel even longer.

A Quiet Time for Console Game Pass Subscribers

The delayed release of Frostpunk 2 on consoles leaves a noticeable gap in Xbox Game Pass’s lineup for the latter half of September 2024. With Frostpunk 2 remaining exclusive to PC Game Pass for the time being, console users are left with fewer options. Wargroove 2, another title arriving this month, will be available only to Ultimate tier subscribers, making it one of the few notable releases for console players during this period.

Similarly, Ara: History Untold, another highly anticipated strategy game, will be arriving on PC Game Pass first, leaving console users once again waiting for an undisclosed release date. This trend of PC-first game launches has become a point of contention among some Xbox Game Pass subscribers, particularly those on consoles who feel left behind in the rush of new content.

Final Thoughts

While the delay of Frostpunk 2 on consoles is disappointing for many, its PC Game Pass launch remains an exciting moment for strategy game enthusiasts. The game's early reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with players praising the enhanced gameplay, intricate decision-making, and immersive world-building.

However, for console players, the wait for Frostpunk 2 and other titles like Ara: History Untold could make the latter half of 2024 feel somewhat sparse. As 11 Bit Studios continues to fine-tune the game for consoles, fans will have to remain patient, holding out hope that the final product in 2025 will be well worth the wait.

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https://news.thebadgamer.in/news/frostpunk-2-delayed-for-consoles-coming-to-xbox-game-pass-in-2025/