Understanding the Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2 Game

The Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2 is a fundamental game mechanic that significantly influences your storyline and the development of your city. In Frostpunk 2, the Zeitgeist is shaped by various elements, actions, and decisions tied to different ideologies, which can unlock new narrative paths and permit research into new concepts or domains.

What is the Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2

The Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2 essentially shapes your society (Image via 11 Bit Studios)

The Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2 is fundamentally a gauge of your City’s trajectory and the prevailing socio-political ideology among your citizens. Much like its namesake, the Zeitgeist in Frostpunk encapsulates the spirit or mood of the social classes within your society.

This system is heavily shaped by the ideas, beliefs, and especially the gameplay decisions you make. Additionally, the types of buildings you erect and the Laws you implement also contribute significantly to the various Zeitgeists in the game.

Your progress within the Zeitgeist System can be monitored through three circular icons, each representing different types of Zeitgeists. Clicking on each icon will display the specific Zeitgeists you have developed.

What are the types of Zeitgeist in Frostpunk 2

The Zeitgeist in Frostpunk 2 is categorized into three primary types: Technology, Economy, and Society. Each category features two distinct options that carry their own influences and standings. All six Zeitgeist types offer unique features, Districts, Laws, and Factions that can either aid or hinder their progression.

Upon completing all three Zeitgeists, you gain the ability to construct a windshield, which effectively eliminates the Heat demand for Housing Districts, albeit at the cost of radicalizing the population—a worthwhile trade if you know how to Deradicalize Factions in Frostpunk 2.

Below is a comprehensive guide to the types of Zeitgeist in Frostpunk 2:

Technology

The Technology Zeitgeist provides two options: Progress or Adaptation. These contrasting positions influence the utilization and necessity of Technology in your City and civilization.

Progress emphasizes the construction of machines to secure the City’s place in the Frostlands. It seeks to enhance society through technological advancements and to embrace innovative methods for mastering nature.

In contrast, Adaptation posits that technology cannot replace humanity and that resisting nature is in vain. They criticize the arrogance of machines, asserting that the relentless powers of the Frost render steel fragile.

Economy

The Economy Zeitgeist presents two options: Merit and Equality. These options dictate how wealth is earned, spent, and allocated within your City and civilization.

Merit asserts that those who strive for wealth and prosperity deserve to be rewarded. They advocate for being the pillars of the economy, burdening society on their backs.

Meanwhile, Equality argues that the capitalist ideals of the old world perished along with it. This ideology champions the notion that, like the indifference of the Frost to social class, society should also not discriminate. Equality promotes taking care of all individuals, regardless of their contribution to the City’s Economy.

Society

The Society Zeitgeist offers two paths: Tradition and Reason. They fundamentally decide how society should evolve and the mentality of the Citizens—whether to cling to traditions or to adopt Reason as a means to create new customs and laws suitable for the Ice Age.

Tradition holds that while the world may have transformed, people have not. They believe it is essential to respect and uphold the old social order to ensure societal progress. They advocate adhering to time-tested methods rather than pursuing drastic changes.

On the other hand, Reason dismisses the old social order, pushing for the establishment of new rules and laws more appropriate for the Frostlands. They rely on logic and rationale, asserting that a new world necessitates a new societal framework.

How to Enlighten an Option in the Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2

You can pursue a Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2 by choosing allied Laws, resources, and decisions (Image via 11 Bit Studios) — You can pursue a Zeitgeist option in Frostpunk 2 by selecting allied laws, resources, and decisions (Image via 11 Bit Studios)

In the Zeitgeist System of Frostpunk 2, you can pursue a specific option by making decisions, enacting Laws, and constructing buildings that align with the ideology of the desired Zeitgeist.

To do this, navigate to the Idea Tree and select any upgrade. Once you access the upgrade or feature you wish to pursue, the information panel will display a logo on the right. Hovering over this logo reveals which Zeitgeist your decision will support based on your preference. Additionally, passing Laws that resonate with the favored Faction can also enhance your chosen Zeitgeist.

The Idea Tree plays a crucial role in the Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2; the decisions you make and the Zeitgeists you advance will unlock particular upgrades in the Idea Tree. Specific choices you encounter in the City and during expeditions will become available once you have sufficiently advanced a Zeitgeist and garnered your society’s acceptance of certain decisions.

Factions are also pivotal within the Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2, as each is aligned with distinct Zeitgeist types. Supporting or advocating for a Faction will further contribute to achieving that Zeitgeist in your City.

You can check each Faction’s alignment by clicking their icon to see their corresponding Zeitgeist on the right. Furthermore, the icon for each Faction will indicate which of your actions have promoted that specific Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2, making it a valuable feature.

All Factions and Their Aligned Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2

Select a Faction to see which Zeitgeist System in Frostpunk 2 they are aligned with (Image via 11 Bit Studios)

Each Faction within Frostpunk 2 embodies unique ideologies and beliefs, which culminate in their Zeitgeist alignment. Below is a list of Factions and their respective alignments:

Faction	Zeitgeist
Pilgrims	Tradition, Equality, Adaptation
Faithkeepers	Progress, Equality, Tradition
Stalwarts	Reason, Merit, Progress
Proteans	Adaptation, Merit, Reason
Evolvers	Adaptation, Merit, Reason
Legionnaires	Progress, Equality, Tradition
Technocrats	Progress, Equality, Reason
Icebloods	Adaptation, Merit, Tradition
Bohemians	Adaptation, Equality, Reason
Overseers	Progress, Merit, Tradition
Menders	Adaptation, Equality, Tradition
Venturers	Progress, Merit, Reason