Despite its predecessor being a beloved yet somewhat unpolished gem, Frogwares is forging ahead with The Sinking City 2. The studio, known for creating engaging yet flawed titles, has taken a bold new direction with this sequel. Even as a follow-up, The Sinking City 2 feels distinct enough to stand on its own.
Returning to the same fictional universe and time period, players step into the shoes of occult adventurer Calvin Rafferty. His beloved, Faye Bennett, has had her spirit severed from her body. Calvin must now navigate the waterlogged city of Arkham, seeking the arcane components necessary for a ritual that might bring her back to the living world.
“The Sinking City 2 is aiming for pure survival horror with its experience.”
Our hands-on experience with The Sinking City 2 was divided into two distinct segments. The first thrust us into the flooded, derelict halls of Miskatonic University, now swarming with unearthly horrors. Shortly after, Calvin acquires a boat to traverse the deserted cityscape, tasked with locating a missing person for a peculiar character who can decipher a ritualistic tome. The second part places us within the seemingly deserted Akeley Memorial Hospital, its corridors teeming with monstrous entities and its passages barred by ancient enigmas.
While the first game leaned into investigative simulation with light action, The Sinking City 2 is fully embracing a pure survival horror approach. As the developers stated, “At Frogwares, we’re using the sequel to try our hand at creating a more grounded survival horror experience. We’ve prioritized combat, exploration, and the rich Lovecraftian setting.” This commitment is palpable from the outset, evoking strong Resident Evil Remake vibes that were thoroughly enjoyable.
The Sinking City 2 clearly draws heavy inspiration from Capcom’s revitalized horror franchise, not just in its over-the-shoulder camera perspective. The atmosphere and overall mood combine to create an experience that is both genuinely terrifying and demanding. The sense of being kept in the dark, both literally and figuratively, is far more pronounced than in the original.
“While it’s still a bit rough around the edges, The Sinking City 2 is shaping up to be a seriously spooky and genuinely interesting experience.”
Players are kept in a constant state of tension as they unravel environmental puzzles, never quite sure when danger lurks. Echoing the Resident Evil Remakes, The Sinking City 2 masterfully deceives players with foes they believed were vanquished. The creatures known as The Slither possess the ability to reanimate the dead. If players aren’t vigilant, a swarm of Slither can emerge from a recently defeated enemy and reanimate a previous one, turning seemingly secure areas into deathtraps.
However, the game doesn’t abandon the investigative elements that made its predecessor so compelling. Instead, these are integrated into a series of progression-critical puzzles, serving as both a nod to its origins and a design choice better suited to the current experience.
Amidst the pervasive dread, moments of levity in the game’s writing and character interactions provide welcome respites from the terror, making both protagonists and supporting characters genuinely endearing. The story and its cast possess a genuine heart that propels players forward through the horror, eager to see how events unfold.
Although still exhibiting some rough edges, The Sinking City 2 is shaping up to be a profoundly unsettling and captivating experience. It retains the core appeal of its predecessor while elevating the gameplay and atmosphere, resulting in something both novel and memorable. With a touch more polish, it has the potential to become a standout title in the survival horror genre.
The Sinking City 2 is slated for release on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. A definitive release date has not yet been announced.