The Sinking City 2
Review

The new installment of The Sinking City does away with the concept entirely, offering instead a linear, survival horror experience. It is effectively a Resident Evil rip-off set in the flooded Arkham, and while the genre shift disappointed many fans of the initial installment, viewed in its own context, The Sinking City 2 emerges as a polished, atmospheric survival horror experience and the best technical product from Frogwares yet.

Masterclass in Cosmic Atmosphere

When there is something that Frogwares does really well, it's the atmosphere of cosmic dread. And The Sinking City 2 is their masterpiece in that field. Unlike the previous installment, the game runs smoothly, with the developers ditching the problematic open world of the predecessor and providing the player with densely packed, interconnected linear levels.

The visual and audio design of The Sinking City 2 is fantastic. Wading through floodwaters of Arkham and listening to the squelching of Deep Ones just around the corner is absolutely perfect. The architecture of the levels is terrific as well, with several outstanding levels in the game such as the Hospital Level that is filled with environmental storytelling and a genuinely frightening atmosphere. Finally, Frogwares has managed to achieve graphical excellence and smooth character control comparable to those found in AAA horror games.

Survival Horror vs Investigation

The central gameplay loop of The Sinking City 2 will remind you of the recently released Resident Evil installments. You will explore abandoned houses and flooded asylums, use a restricted inventory, backtrack with new keys, conserve ammo, and do all the other things typical for the survival horror genre.

Combat is vastly improved compared to its counterpart from the predecessor. Guns in the game feel really punchy, and the limited amount of ammo forces you to choose between combat and evasion. However, there are issues with the combat system as well. Melee mechanics on greater difficulties feel extremely stiff, enemies frequently shrug off stunning blows, and the constantly regenerating "weak points" of bullet-sponges can transform some combat situations into boring grind rather than horror-filled standoffs.

The biggest victim of the shift in genre is the investigation itself. In The Sinking City 2, investigations have become simple text puzzles where you need to link together three highlighted notes to get a safe code. There are no interrogations, no open-world sleuthing, and no morality choices. No, you are not a detective solving the mystery; you are a survivor who needs to blast his way out of Arkham.

The Sequel of the Title

The primary reason why The Sinking City 2 became controversial in terms of its naming is the fact that this game is a sequel of sorts in the title only. The absence of slow-burn investigation that is the foundation of the previous installment, turned the game into a spinoff that competes with the titans of the survival horror genre.

Additionally, The Sinking City 2 campaign length is ok, at least considering its price. The main campaign takes around 10-12 hours to complete. What's even worse, there is a Day 1 DLC that locks another weapon and area behind the paywall. It is not really surprising that some people are upset about such a monetization approach.

The Verdict

The Sinking City 2 is a game that causes strong controversy among gamers. If you come into the game expecting the gameplay of the first installment with its investigation mechanics, then you will be profoundly disappointed with the linear nature of The Sinking City 2.

Frogwares has proved itself capable of creating a good product within the survival horror genre with terrific levels, excellent puzzles, and a gripping atmosphere of cosmic horror.