Frostrail Interview – The Train, Enemy Factions, Horror Vibes, and More

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The survival shooter game titled “Frostrail,” set to be released next year, was graciously discussed by lead designer Ez Jämsen from FakeFish. We got insight into the game’s aspects such as the part the player’s train will play in regular gameplay, its ominous ambiance, and how Frostrail aims to achieve a harmonious blend of gameplay and narrative.

Given that the train serves as the player’s main base, what significant part might it have in the overall gameplay experience?

In this adventure, the train plays a significant role. It’s essentially your home base when you’re not venturing out into the world, collecting resources. Moreover, it requires fueling, driving, maintenance, and occasionally defense. If it should happen to be destroyed, that’s a game-ending event for you.

How crazy will the train upgrades get? Can players end up with multi-storey trains?

In this game, you start off as an underdog, struggling to survive and adapt, not getting too carried away with elaborate train construction. As the game advances, you gradually add carriages to your train. You then construct diverse types of walls on these carriages. The design adheres to a grid system for easy organization, which is particularly beneficial in singleplayer mode where managing multiple components can become challenging.

In this game, the train plays a significant role. It’s the place where you typically spend your time when you aren’t venturing outside to discover or gather resources.

In survival games, there’s sometimes an element of horror. So, I’m curious about how Frostrail will strike a balance between its primary action-oriented gameplay and the more unsettling environments it might feature.

Our game may not be classified as a traditional horror title, but it does incorporate eerie aspects to create an unsettling atmosphere. Balancing horror in an action-packed multiplayer game can be tricky, so we’ve opted for a lighter approach with horror elements similar to that of Barotrauma. While Frostrail will certainly deliver the occasional jump scare, like something darting out from the shadows or lurking ominously in the distance, the emphasis is more on tension than full-blown horror. The core gameplay remains focused on action.

What can we expect in terms of enemy variety in Frostrail?

In our design, we’re creating two opposing groups: the “Revenants,” which are more zombie-like, focused on melee attacks, and usually appear in larger quantities; contrastingly, the “Corrupted Soldiers” utilize ranged weapons, exhibit a higher level of intelligence, and tend to be fewer in number. Within these two groups, there will be various classes and types for an exciting blend, ensuring you’ll encounter plenty of visual and gameplay diversity as we progress through Early Access development.

Is the game primarily focused on a larger storyline guiding players, or is progression mainly driven by the need for survival within the game mechanics?

The game offers a rich backstory and intricate lore, yet the main force propelling and attracting players isn’t so much the narrative itself, but rather the conventional survival aspects of gameplay.

In many multiplayer games that focus on action, creating effective horror can be challenging. To keep things balanced in our game, we’ve chosen to maintain a relatively subtle approach with our horror elements, similar to the style found in Barotrauma.

What kind of weapon variety will we see in Frostrail?

An assortment of firearm types reminiscent of World War 1 – pistols, shotguns, rifles, machine guns, and so forth, along with a selection of initial melee weapons. These firearms can be crafted by players, and the modular crafting system allows for weapon customization to improve their performance.

While there will be plenty of guns, how viable is a melee-centric character?

In our design for Frostrail, we’ve made it clear that ranged weapons are the primary focus. While there will be some melee weapons available in the early stages of the game, the main combat experience is centered around ranged weaponry. However, every ranged weapon also includes a secondary melee attack for those unexpectedly close-up situations or when all else fails.

What part will the survival aspects, such as food, water, and shelter from harsh conditions, have in the game called Frostrail?

Given the title of the game, cold weather plays a significant role and should be considered by players during their outdoor activities. While warmer clothing and certain foods can lessen its impact, it’s generally unwise to stray too far from your train or linger for extended periods in extremely cold conditions.

Instead of saying “Food items, on the other hand, buff your stats”, you could say “On the contrary, food enhances your abilities or characteristics.” In simpler terms, “Eating isn’t strictly necessary in theory, but having good meals when possible can boost your odds of surviving.

“We’ve wanted to emphasize “guns first” with Frostrail.”

Do you have any plans to launch the game on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2?

Initially, Frostrail is set to debut on PC via Steam as an Early Access title. However, we are considering releasing it on consoles starting from version 1.0 and beyond.

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2025-06-05 20:43