Barotrauma developer Fakefish is trading the depths of the ocean for frozen wastelands in their next cooperative survival game. Revealed at the Triple-I Initiative, Frostrail represents a significant departure from their previous work, moving from 2D submarine survival to a first-person shooter experience centered around a customizable locomotive in a post-apocalyptic frozen world.
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| A glimpse into the train's control panel, symbolizing the core mechanics of survival and exploration in Frostrail |
A Frozen Post-Apocalyptic Setting
Frostrail takes place in a desolate world gripped by arctic temperatures where nearly all life has been bled dry, frozen over and disfigured by a malevolent force. Players are among the few survivors who haven't succumbed to the harsh conditions or fallen prey to the game's Eldritch monsters. The environment is unforgiving, with brutal cold that limits how long players can survive away from their train, creating a constant tension between exploration and safety.
The Eden Engine and Your Mobile Fortress
At the heart of gameplay is the locomotive powered by the Eden Engine, which serves as the players' mobile base of operations and only reliable source of warmth in the frozen wasteland. As Fakefish founder and CEO Aku Jauhiainen explained, players will be able to gradually build onto their train, adding crafting benches, refineries, and other facilities that allow for the generation of crucial materials like metal, cloth, and plastic.
Resource Management and Survival Mechanics
The core gameplay loop revolves around stopping at locations along the railway to scavenge for resources before returning to the relative safety of the train. During travel between locations, players refine materials and craft items in preparation for their next expedition. Resource management appears to be a critical element, with ammunition described as a sacred resource that shouldn't be wasted on unnecessary confrontations.
Combat and Threats
The world of Frostrail is populated by dangerous creatures called Revenants – fast-moving ghouls that players must fend off. The trailer also teases a massive monster that suggests players will face increasingly dangerous threats as they progress. While combat is a key component, the game seems to encourage strategic approaches, including stealth and avoidance when possible, rather than always engaging in direct confrontation.
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| A standoff in the snow, reflecting the intense combat and challenges players will encounter in Frostrail |
Cooperative Gameplay
Unlike Barotrauma, which featured a Traitors mode where players could sabotage others, Frostrail appears focused primarily on cooperative gameplay for up to four players. Jauhiainen noted that while there's potential for accidental sabotage – such as using all the fuel or getting left behind – the game is designed to deliver a good cooperative experience rather than incorporating intentional betrayal mechanics.
Train Upgrades and Maintenance
Upgrading the Eden Engine will allow the train to move faster and pull more weight, enabling players to add additional carriages that provide more building space. However, this comes with the trade-off of requiring a more powerful engine to maintain speed. Players will also need to maintain and repair their train, navigate branching railroad paths, and clear obstacles from the tracks to continue their journey.
Release Timeline
Frostrail is currently scheduled for release on Steam in 2026, giving Fakefish ample time to develop and refine this ambitious project. While that may seem like a long wait, the detailed concept and early footage suggest a unique survival experience that combines resource management, base building, and cooperative FPS gameplay in a compelling frozen setting.