Frozen Metropolis - A Permafrost Novel serves as the gripping prequel story to the open-world survival game Permafrost. Set in a near-future Earth plunged into chaos by an unexplained lunar shift, the tale follows residents of the former megacity Metropolis as they confront an encroaching ice age, collapsing governments, and emerging threats like armed looters and a fanatical cult. Characters including Sheriff Ethan Cane, his daughter Robyn, soldier Anna, doctor Richard Sonnenberg, and businessman Logan Boyce navigate the deadly cold and fractured society. This atmospheric novel expands the grounded survival themes that define the PC game from Toplitz Productions and SpaceRocket Games.
Gameplay
Permafrost places players in the role of Rook, an engineer drawn into the frozen wasteland by a radio signal from a lost friend. The core loop centers on managing body temperature, hunger, and energy while scavenging resources from abandoned structures and wilderness areas. Harsh weather events like snowstorms force constant preparation and shelter use, turning every expedition into a calculated risk. A loyal dog companion assists by scouting ahead, carrying supplies, and detecting dangers. Combat involves primitive weapons or improvised firearms against hostile factions and wildlife, with an emphasis on positioning and avoidance rather than constant firefights. Crafting and repair systems allow players to restore technology and expand bases, while exploration reveals distinct biomes with unique dangers and loot opportunities. Progression ties directly to venturing deeper into the world and adapting to its demands.
Game Modes
The game supports solo play or online co-op for up to four players in a symbiotic format. In co-op, participants share a persistent world where they divide tasks such as scavenging, building, and hunting to strengthen a network of shelters. The cold remains equally punishing regardless of group size, encouraging coordinated movement and resource sharing without simplifying core challenges. No player-versus-player elements exist, keeping the focus on cooperative survival against environmental and faction-based threats. Dedicated servers are not available at launch, with hosting handled through peer-to-peer connections.
Story and World
The narrative unfolds in a post-cataclysm setting where the shattering of the moon triggered endless winter. Players traverse frozen city ruins blending into wild biomes, encountering territories controlled by rival factions. Side quests and a main story of dozens of objectives provide direction amid the sandbox freedom. The prequel novel Frozen Metropolis enriches this backdrop with personal accounts from the old world's collapse, highlighting intrigue and raw survival decisions that echo in the game's events. Faction interactions add tension during exploration, while the environment itself acts as the primary antagonist through frostbite risks and limited visibility during storms.
Current State and Updates
Permafrost entered Early Access on PC in October 2026 with core systems including multiple biomes, crafting recipes, building options, and co-op functionality already present. Ongoing patches address stability, quest progression, and quality-of-life improvements based on player reports. A planned roadmap includes combat animation enhancements, expanded loot and gear options, new weather effects, and a major area expansion called White Hell featuring additional story content and enemies. The game remains in active development with at least twelve months of support anticipated.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player reception on Steam stands at Mostly Positive based on hundreds of reviews shortly after launch. The grounded survival mechanics, atmospheric world, and co-op options appeal to those seeking deliberate, tension-filled experiences rather than fast-paced action. Technical issues common to Early Access titles have prompted quick patches, and the roadmap signals continued refinement. It suits players who enjoy managing resources and bases in harsh conditions, particularly fans of story-integrated survival sandboxes. Those preferring polished full releases or heavy combat focus may want to monitor further updates before committing. Availability on PC through major digital stores makes it accessible for testing the current build.
