Frosthaven, the record-breaking board game from Isaac Childres and the most successful tabletop Kickstarter of all time, has begun its long-anticipated transition to the digital realm. Developed by Snapshot Games and published by Arc Games, this ambitious adaptation brings the rich tactical depth of the original to screens. I had a chance to go hands-on with the June demo and talk to the Game Director, so here’s everything you need to know, along with my first impressions.
Inspiration Behind The Game
The team behind the game, comprising passionate board game enthusiasts who play two to three times a week, sometimes even at work, set out to create something significant with this project. They utilized their experience with their previous game, Phoenix Point. Phoenix Point was a strategy-tactical game in the vein of XCOM. The team saw a perfect match between their design strengths and the depth and complexity that board game adaptations demand.
Getting Started
One of the first things that stood out to me was the inclusion of a tutorial—a crucial feature for a tactical game as complex as Frosthaven. These types of games can easily overwhelm newcomers, but the demo offered a solid introduction to the basic controls and mechanics. While the trailer provided a general overview, it only scratched the surface. There’s a lot of depth here, and it may take some time for new players to get fully comfortable with everything the game has to offer.
Mechanics
Combat in Frosthaven is turn-based and driven by a card-based system, where each card represents a specific action such as attacking, moving, healing, or buffing. Every character brings their own unique deck to the battlefield, creating a distinct playstyle depending on who you choose. During my time with the demo, I played as the Drifter and the Banner Spear. I used the Drifter to buff himself and absorb damage, often drawing enemy attention, while the Banner Spear stayed at a distance, finishing enemies off with precise javelin throws. There are also short rests and long rests during battle that add a layer of strategy as well. The game also includes an undo button and the option to restart a round, both thoughtful additions that help ease the learning curve.
While the combat can feel a bit difficult at first, once it clicks, it becomes an incredibly rewarding and strategic experience. Beyond the battlefield, Frosthaven features a town-building system where you manage and develop your own outpost. By constructing and upgrading various buildings, you unlock new gameplay features and mechanics. Although I didn’t get to explore this element in depth during the demo, my conversation with Game Director Hristo Petkov made it clear that this system adds a meaningful layer of customization. You can shape your outpost based on the resources you gather, making each player’s progression feel uniquely tailored.
Game Features
As I spoke with Hristo about Frosthaven, he went over some things to expect with early access and the game when it launches. Here is what to expect:
- There will be six starting characters and 11 more that are unlockable throughout the game.
- There are approximately 150 different enemies you can face throughout the 136 scenarios.
- Early access, which is this year, will feature 8 characters and 30 scenarios with a focus on the new player experience.
- One playthrough is approximately 150-200 hours, but for completionists, you can be playing for well over 200 hours.
- The game has Quests that are long-term goals that reward the players.
- There are perks that are reminiscent of feats from Dungeons & Dragons, which can allow you to modify a character’s hit or miss chances based on the perks.
- Over 500 items in the game that you will have access to, which can be purchased with gold at the start of a mission.
- Frosthaven supports 2-4 players, so you can play with your friends anywhere and at any time.
- Voice acting that is reminiscent of a Dungeon Master from Dungeons and Dragons telling a story throughout the adventure.
- A stunning art style, highly detailed models and textures, and expressive animations all bring the world of the game to life. Be ready to explore diverse biomes, changing seasons, and dynamic environments a your adventure progresses.
Release Date
I did ask if there was a release date, and the response was that it was thought to be announced in the next month or so. Luckily, for players as part of Steam Next Fest: June Edition. The first-ever playable demo of Frosthaven will be available on Steam starting Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. PT. It will be running through Monday, June 16, at 10:00 a.m. PT. This limited-time demo offers both single-player and online co-op multiplayer for 2–4 players, giving fans an early taste of what’s to come when the game enters Early Access later this year. This updated demo features numerous UI and gameplay improvements based on feedback from the recent Closed Beta.
One exciting addition is the inclusion of voice-over narration by Forteller Games, known for their acclaimed Narrative Companion for the Frosthaven board game. This collaboration adds an extra layer of immersion, bringing the frozen world to life with professional narration that enhances every moment of the adventure. Both the demo and the full game will also support NVIDIA GeForce NOW, allowing players to stream Frosthaven on virtually any device, anywhere they want. Arc Games and Snapshot Games are thrilled to bring this enhanced experience to fans and can’t wait for players to explore the depths of Frosthaven during Next Fest and beyond. Also currently slated for PC only at this time.
Final Thoughts
While it wasn’t a traditional interview like you might expect from these events, I did have the chance to speak with Frosthaven‘s Game Director, and his excitement for the project was undeniable. His passion for bringing this adaptation to life was clear, and he genuinely couldn’t wait for fans to experience it for themselves. For newcomers to the tactical genre, the learning curve may feel steep at first, with a lot of systems and mechanics introduced early on. But I truly believe it’s worth sticking with. Once the UI sees a bit more refinement, Frosthaven has the potential to offer a standout turn-based tactical experience. I recommend you try it out!
