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Among all the Utopia Builder maps in Frostpunk 2, the Fractured Gorge is particularly special due to its plentiful natural Steam deposits. This abundance makes it one of the few maps suited for Steam-only gameplay.
This unique feature brings a refreshing twist for players looking to try something different in their Utopia Builder adventures. As always, starting with a solid plan is essential, so getting to know the Fractured Gorge as a map is a crucial first step.
What Is the Fractured Gorge Scenario?
The Fractured Gorge is a map scenario found exclusively in the Utopia Builder mode from the Main Menu. In this mode, you can play the Fractured Gorge indefinitely, thanks to the Endless Builder option available on the main menu screen, which allows for the following customizations:
- Difficulty: Set how many resources are available and the intensity of storms.
- Ambitions: Establish personal goals to strive for.
- Tales: Introduce narrative elements for a greater challenge and unique perks.
You can unlock the Endless Builder mode after completing a Utopia Builder city that has lasted around 2,000 weeks.
Which Tale Is Best for the Fractured Gorge?
The various Tales in the Fractured Gorge scenario have mixed outcomes. Check the chart below for a breakdown of the pros and cons of each Tale on this map:
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Apocalyptic Whiteout |
|
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|
Beacon of Hope |
|
|
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Depleted Cores ADVERTISEMENT |
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How to Play the Fractured Gorge Scenario: What to Expect
Your city will consistently start at the top of the gorge. The gorge itself will stretch behind it on the northern side, while cliffs will dominate the northwestern and southeastern corners. Below the city lies a slope of ice and snow leading to a plains-like area.
Resource distribution is randomized in this region, but some things remain constant:
|
Coal |
Usually found on the west side near the cliffs, either above or below. There are typically two deposits, one of which is a Deep Deposit. |
|---|---|
|
Prefabs |
Located in three or four spots, with at least one in the gorge. Deposits are generally small. |
|
Food |
Generally found east or south of the hill, often in a line. There is usually one Deep Deposit available. |
|
Oil |
Not present on this map. |
|
Materials |
Usually clustered in one large area in the east or south. The position often swaps with Food resources in each instance. Always contains at least one Deep Deposit and is plentiful. |
|
Steam |
At least two Steam deposits (Geothermal Springs) are almost always found south of the hill. Up to three have been recorded in various instances of this map. |
|
Logistics |
Two exits can be found at one of three possible edge locations: northwest, southwest, and southeast. |
While Geothermal Springs are common on this map and offer heating, the gorge itself acts as a windbreak, adding warmth. The southwest and southeast corners will always be exposed to the wind, making buildings in those areas consistently colder. This will impact at least one Logistics district without fail.
Tips and Tricks for Completing the Fractured Gorge
The Fractured Gorge heavily encourages utilizing its many Steam deposits. Therefore, it’s wise to research the Adaption Generator Upgrade, allowing you to use Steam, Coil, and Oil.
With this upgrade, expect to primarily balance Steam and Coil as your main energy sources.
Oil can only be obtained by creating a Fuel Colony or finding another colony that might contain an Oil deposit.
Aside from fuel management, launching your city in this map involves a few key priorities:
- Create two Extraction districts: one for Materials and one for Prefabs.
- Construct housing surrounding your generator on the hill.
- Start researching a Good Factory within your Ideas tree.
- Frostbreak towards a Logistics district (aim for one that isn’t in a wind-swept area, if possible).
- Establish your Council Hall to enable City Development Support for more Prefabs.
Only after addressing these items should you focus on the lesser, yet still significant, task of establishing a Food district.
The Fractured Gorge greatly benefits from early development of Skyways and external colonies. To leverage this, first secure your immediate resource needs in the city while you research Skyways.
Once you have Skyways researched, shift your focus to the Frostlands. In this new area, follow these essential steps:
- Locate a supply of Materials or Food and connect it with your Skyways.
- Look for markers that lead to flags indicating potential colony sites and pursue them.
- Avoid collecting surplus supplies that would exceed your storage capacity until later, unless you have five scout units free while others are busy.
As you explore the Frostlands, ensure you take the time to research measures that can lower Territory Threat levels. While keeping your city’s resources stocked remains vital, this should not be ignored.
As your city expands, keep most of the housing on the hill, gradually moving down from the generator. Leave a gap of about every third row for a Heating Hub. As the city grows larger, you may need to:
- Build housing on and around Geothermal Springs that are located farther away, or
- Send extra residents to your colonies.
If your city becomes large enough, it can be advantageous to develop into the gorge itself.
If one of your Geothermal Springs is located on the hill, continue to build housing around it. Just install a Heat Dispatcher and a Ventilation Tower in each adjacent district to counter the negative effects from the Extraction district.
Additionally, you can place Housing districts near Extraction districts that provide excess heat, thanks to researched technologies like the Deep Cogenerating Drill, following the same approach.
As temperatures continue to drop, your focus will eventually shift back to heating systems. Once you have secured enough resources, rapidly research generator upgrades that maximize heat production from Steam. Likewise, ensure you research all available upgrades for your Geothermal Plants.
With your generator upgraded, set Steam as your primary heating source. Once that’s done and your resources are secure, your final tasks will include:
- Expanding your housing.
- Addressing any issues related to disease, squalor, or crime that may have arisen along the way.
After reaching 2,000 weeks, you will have technically completed your journey in the Fractured Gorge, though you’ll have the option to continue indefinitely.
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