Connect with us
Frost: A deck-building game of inevitable sacrifice

Gaming

Frost: A deck-building game of inevitable sacrifice

Frost has created a new, quiet game that forces players to focus on the inevitable march of the storm, rather than a living opponent.

In the world of Frost, the new console-based deck-building game from Digerati Distribution and designer Jérôme Bodin, a deadly storm is always at your heels, swiftly limiting your options for survival.  Managing your meager resources (food, materials, and survivors) is the only way to get to safety. The longer you take drawing and using your resources, the closer the storm approaches.  With constant options and obstacles popping up in your path, this journey takes constant care and attention to complete successfully.

Frost: A deck-building game of inevitable sacrifice

While deckbuilders – games designed to increase a base deck with new cards, thereby increasing play option – are old hat to the tabletop gaming world, having a solo deckbuilder on a console opens up new possibilities.  Each turn, the player draws resource cards (including useless Fatigue cards) and attempts to make their way through the desolate landscape by discarding the amount of resources needed in the current biome. Other, more specialized cards may be purchased by the player, usually by removing base resources from their deck.  In addition, perils or assistance arrives in each biome. The more turns the player spends dealing with these issues, the closer the storm gets. The player must make it through a set number of biomes in order to escape the storm.

Frost: A deck-building game of inevitable sacrifice

Gameplay for Frost is very straightforward and is, honestly, not complex, nor does it need to be.  The design of the game is where the true draw lies. The simple drawings of the characters and cards, all while having a quiet, snowy white background, intensifies the tension in the game.  This is compounded by the dial at the top of the screen, showing the number of turns a player has before they are swallowed by the storm. The card icons take a bit of getting used to, particularly any that are crossed out with a red line, indicating the need to remove that card from the main deck.  The Survivor and other card art are simplistic, but easily convey the game’s aesthetic.

Frost: A deck-building game of inevitable sacrifice

This foray of the deckbuilder into the console world could signal a new wave of tabletop game ports to consoles.  While most existing deckbuilders are meant for multi-player, Frost has created a new, quiet game that forces players to focus on the inevitable march of the storm, rather than a living opponent.  For fans of tense, post-apoc games, this simple game gives a new perspective on the genre.

Frost: A deck-building game of inevitable sacrifice
Frost: A deck-building game of inevitable sacrifice
Is it good?
Pros
Quiet tension in ever-growing danger
Brings the deckbuilder genre to solo play and console
Cons
Icons on cards can be difficult to read
Non-Quest play can be repetitive
7.5

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

'Universal Monsters: Frankenstein' coming August 2024 'Universal Monsters: Frankenstein' coming August 2024

‘Universal Monsters: Frankenstein’ coming August 2024

Comic Books

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup