The Sinking City 2: a shift to survival horror

Frogwares, the developer behind The Sinking City , has decided to push the series in a new direction with The Sinking City 2 . This sequel marks a notable shift from open-world detective gameplay to survival horror. The move seems to fit the series’ Lovecraftian inspiration well, but it also raises questions about ambition and gameplay.

The evolution of The Sinking City

The Sinking City , first released in 2019, was an ambitious effort from Frogwares. The game offered a sprawling, flooded city for players to explore, packed with side quests and a unique blend of horror and detective elements. While it received mixed reviews, it was clear that Frogwares was aiming to make a leap in a genre they had already explored with the Sherlock Holmes franchise.

The shift to survival horror

With The Sinking City 2 , Frogwares has opted for a new genre that leans away from ambitious open-world design. This sequel is clearly focused on survival horror, where players are confronted with claustrophobic environments and limited resources. The game includes classic genre staples such as scarce ammunition and puzzles that force players to think strategically about their choices.

The gameplay in The Sinking City 2 centers on exploring enclosed locations such as libraries and hospitals, rather than the open-world concept of the first game. That raises questions about the creativity and originality of the game’s design, since it feels a lot like other recent survival horror titles such as Resident Evil 7 and Alan Wake 2 .

Gameplay and narrative

Combat in The Sinking City 2 is unmistakably inspired by survival horror conventions. Players will deal with zombie-like creatures and other enemies using a hide-and-shoot mechanic. However, the gameplay sometimes feels repetitive and offers little challenge. Even on the hardest difficulty, the experience can come across as routine and predictable.

In addition, the game includes a detective element where players can collect and organize evidence on a visual evidence board. However, this system appears less essential than in Frogwares’ earlier games; it plays only a supporting role in the overall player experience.

The story of The Sinking City 2 introduces a new protagonist, Calvin Rafferty, who, together with his companion Faye Bennett, embarks on a mysterious and grim search to recover their lost memories and solve an unresolved mystery. This narrative adds a small but interesting emotional layer, which could be a welcome change of pace from the gameplay.

Conclusion

It’s clear that Frogwares has taken a safer route with The Sinking City 2 by leaning into the survival horror genre. Despite the appealing narrative elements and the potential for interesting gameplay, it remains to be seen whether the story and mechanics in the full release will truly live up to expectations. For now, though, it feels like a missed opportunity for a studio that previously found success blending detective elements with a bleak atmosphere.