The Sinking City 2 is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from the investigative gameplay that defined its predecessor and embracing a more traditional survival horror experience. Ukrainian developer Frogwares, known for its Sherlock Holmes series, is shifting the sequel's focus to combat and resource management, a move that risks alienating fans of the original's deductive gameplay but aims to deliver a more intense horror experience.
The game retains the atmospheric 1920s setting and a rain-drenched, submerged metropolis, this time in the city of Arkham, with players stepping into the shoes of a new protagonist, paranormal investigator Calvin Rafferty. While the original The Sinking City emphasized open-world investigation and puzzle-solving, the sequel streamlines its approach. Early hours see Rafferty charting a more linear path through Arkham's flooded streets, quickly transitioning into survival horror gameplay that features familiar trappings of the genre.
Players will navigate shadowy interiors and exteriors in search of essential items like fuses, cogs, and keys, while scavenging for health and ammunition. The crafting system is present, though it feels somewhat secondary to the core loop. Glimmers of the original's deductive past appear in light puzzles, such as deciphering glyph sequences or numerical padlock combinations, but these are generally not challenging and take a backseat to the action.
Frogwares appears to have made strides in combat fundamentals. The gunplay is responsive, featuring mechanics like focusing shots, firing, and a stomp attack for downed enemies, alongside a stumble-dodge for evasive maneuvers. Encounters with Arkham's monstrous inhabitants—reanimated corpses and scuttling horrors—are designed to be tense. Enemies exhibit unpredictable behaviors, making precise targeting and efficient ammo usage crucial.
Survival horror elements are amplified by intentional limitations. Scarce ammunition, health restoratives, and crafting resources, combined with a restrictive inventory system, ensure players rarely feel over-equipped. While these limitations are standard for the genre, The Sinking City 2 appears to lean heavily into them, potentially leading to initial frustration as players adapt to the combat's less intuitive rhythms. Untelegraphed ambushes and confined spaces further contribute to the challenge.
However, as players acclimate to a more deliberate combat approach and unlock upgrades, the experience begins to coalesce. The pacing smooths out, and the game opens up into larger environments. A standout early location is a crumbling art deco hotel, and a mid-game shift to a labyrinthine hospital encourages more exploration. As the gameplay finds its footing, the atmosphere intensifies, creating a surprisingly effective horror experience.
The game's visual design is a significant highlight. Arkham's skyline presents a striking vista of 1920s architecture juxtaposed with dilapidation and flooding. Environmental details, from vacuum tube radios to submerged tram cars, enhance the period setting. Despite the city's doomed state, the world-building through environmental storytelling, notes, and item flavor text offers a melancholic glimpse into the lives of its former inhabitants.
Despite the shift in focus, The Sinking City 2 incorporates elements of dark humor and pulp Lovecraftian narrative. Set-pieces, such as navigating a burning building with a blinking "RUN" sign, and encounters with cultists and elder gods, inject entertaining absurdity. The Weird Tales-inspired radio broadcasts, delivered with a distinct, unnerving vocal performance, further enhance the game's unique atmosphere. The Sinking City 2 represents a transitional phase for both its world and its development studio, a bold departure that, despite some early stumbles, commits to its survival horror direction.