What it is
Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 is Hinterland’s sequel to The Long Dark, expanding its frozen survival sandbox into the northern industrial city of Harmont and the wilderness around it. It is planned to launch on PC in Early Access during 2027, not on the previously suggested 2026 timetable. The game will support solo play and online co-op, but Hinterland has not announced a precise UK date, price, player count or console version.
- UK release
- 2027 Early Access; exact date and UK launch time not announced
- Platforms
- PC, with Windows 10 minimum and Windows 11 recommended
- Developer
- Hinterland Studio Inc.
- Publisher
- Hinterland Studio Inc.
- UK price
- Not announced
- PEGI
- Not announced
- Genre
- Action, indie, simulation, strategy and survival RPG
- Online mode
- Yes — online co-op alongside single-player
- Release model
- Early Access
- Game Pass/PS Plus
- No availability announced
Story and setting
Blackfrost takes place one year after the Aurora appeared in the sky and rendered technology inert. Survivors are beginning to emerge into the aftermath of the Quiet Apocalypse, facing a world where cities, towns, farms and forests have been cut off from modern infrastructure.
The main setting is Harmont, a northern industrial city surrounded by rugged wilderness. The confirmed threats include extreme winter weather, wildlife, other survivors, Aurora Storms and radioactive Blackfrost released by a reactor complex near the city. Hinterland also plans NPC survivor communities, giving solo players a wider human world to engage with than The Long Dark’s largely unpopulated landscapes.
How it plays
Blackfrost is being built as a survival sandbox and what Hinterland describes as a survival RPG. You will create your own survivor, customise traits and skills, and build a personal history through scars and stories. The game retains the original’s emphasis on managing resources and surviving the environment, while adding urban survival and a new Will to Live system focused on psychological resilience, doubts and fears.
The game can be played alone or cooperatively online. Solo players may encounter and decide how much to rely on NPC communities, while co-op players will be able to combine their skills and efforts. The Permalife system is intended to make death part of a continuing character history by carrying risks and fears into future attempts, although classic permadeath will remain an option. Hinterland has not confirmed the maximum co-op group size.
Trailers and development
Blackfrost was announced at The Game Awards on 12 December 2024 with an announcement trailer. It was a mood-setting reveal for the new frozen city-and-wilderness setting rather than a detailed gameplay demonstration. The trailer established the game’s bleak northern atmosphere and its connection to The Long Dark, while the more specific information about NPC communities, co-op, Will to Live, Permalife and the reactor comes from the official Steam description and Hinterland’s announcement.
Hinterland’s 28 August 2026 development diary confirmed that Early Access has moved to 2027. The studio says it is keeping a dedicated, smaller team on the sequel while diverting some staff to continued work on The Long Dark. A first gameplay reveal is planned before the end of 2026, but it had not been released by 27 September 2026.
Platforms, editions and UK price
PC is the only confirmed platform, with the Steam listing specifying Windows 10 as the minimum operating system and Windows 11 as recommended. No PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo version has been announced, and there is no confirmed information about other PC storefronts.
The game will launch in Early Access without its complete planned world or feature set. Hinterland expects Early Access to last at least one year and possibly up to two, although that estimate may change. The initial version is expected to include part of the world map and the foundational survival systems, with the 1.0 release planned to contain most of the world and a broader range of content. UK pricing, editions, retailers and pre-orders have not been announced.
What we still do not know
There is no confirmed UK release day or launch time, so Thursday 31 December 2026 should not be treated as a real date. The current official position is simply Early Access in 2027. There is also no PEGI rating, UK RRP, Game Pass or PS Plus announcement.
Hinterland has yet to explain the structure of any story campaign, the full map, the detailed role of NPC communities, the wildlife roster, combat systems, cross-platform play, matchmaking, dedicated servers or the final 1.0 schedule. With the first gameplay reveal still to come, the sensible approach is to wishlist the game rather than pre-order it: there is no UK pre-order product or price to assess, and the Early Access version will deliberately be incomplete.
Not yet confirmed
- The exact UK release date, launch time and point within 2027.
- UK RRP, editions, retailer listings and pre-order details.
- A PEGI rating and any other regional age classifications.
- PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and non-Steam PC versions.
- The maximum number of co-op players, cross-platform play, matchmaking and server arrangements.
- The structure of the story mode, the full map, detailed NPC systems, wildlife roster, combat and the final 1.0 release date.
- Game Pass, PC Game Pass, PlayStation Plus or any other subscription availability.
- The first gameplay reveal, which Hinterland says it plans to publish before the end of 2026.
Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2: your questions
When is Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 coming out in the UK?
It is currently planned for Early Access in 2027. Hinterland has not announced a specific UK date or time, and the previously suggested 2026 window is no longer current.
Will Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 be on PS5 or Xbox?
Not currently. PC is the only confirmed platform, and no PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo version has been announced.
Does Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 have online multiplayer?
Yes. The Steam listing confirms online co-op as well as single-player, but the maximum group size and cross-platform support have not been revealed.
Is Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 coming to Game Pass?
There is no confirmed Game Pass or PlayStation Plus availability. Hinterland has not announced subscription plans for the game.
Can I pre-order Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 in the UK?
No. The game has no announced UK price, editions or retailer pre-orders. It can currently be wishlisted on Steam ahead of its planned 2027 Early Access launch.
