The Sinking City 2 delivers unexpected survival-horror thrills: Resident Evil fans rejoice

The Sinking City 2 arrives as a darker, more combat-focused follow-up to Frogwares’ 2019 occult thriller — and it matters because the studio has reshaped the series at a time when high-quality survival horror is in demand. Having spent several hours in Arkham’s drowned streets, the new game is equal parts mood piece and resource-management challenge, with a personal story at its centre that keeps the scares grounded.

What this game is, at a glance

The sequel shifts away from detective-heavy mechanics and leans into a more traditional survival-horror formula: limited supplies, tense encounters, environmental puzzles and an emphasis on exploration through a flooded, 1920s-inspired city. Built in Unreal Engine 5, it aims to modernize the franchise’s presentation while keeping Lovecraftian dread front and centre.

Developer	Frogwares
Genre	Survival horror / action-adventure
Main character	Calvin Rafferty
Core goal	Rescue a loved one trapped by supernatural forces
Platforms	PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Price (typical)	Around $49 (varies by store)

Gameplay: survival systems meet optional sleuthing

Combat is the engine that drives most moments here. Encounters reward careful aim, conserving scarce ammunition and targeting weak points rather than button-mashing. There are four difficulty settings, so players who prefer a slower, investigative pace can tone down the challenge.

Investigation is still present but no longer mandatory. Frogwares designed the detective elements to complement the horror — you can piece together lore and side mysteries if you want more context, but the main loop remains scavenging, fighting and surviving.

The controls can feel rough in places. Dodging while firing sometimes lacks precision, and gunplay isn’t always as crisp as the game’s visual ambition. That imprecision can be irritating, but it also underscores the protagonist’s vulnerability and fits the game’s tone at times.

Visuals and atmosphere

The world-building is the standout. Flooded streets, overgrown interiors and a muted, rain-soaked palette create a persistent sense of wrongness. Key locations — a ruined university, a decrepit hospital, an empty fish market — are convincing and often eerily beautiful despite occasional repetition in textures and reused assets.

Some cutscenes and character animations feel stiff, which undercuts immersion in a few story-heavy beats. Still, the lighting, weather effects and sound design combine to produce one of the better atmospheric experiences in recent Lovecraft-style games.

Narrative: a more personal horror

At the heart of the story is a simple but effective hook: the protagonist’s attempt to save someone he cares about. That emotional focus gives the game momentum and makes its darker turns feel more consequential. Flashbacks and quieter moments inject warmth into an otherwise grim journey, and the protagonist’s pulp-adventure energy provides a tonal counterpoint to the bleak setting.

The relationship scenes and glimpses into the characters’ past add texture and make the stakes feel human.

• Strengths: Strong atmosphere, focused narrative, meaningful resource management.
• Weaknesses: Occasional animation stiffness, some repetitive environments, and middling gunplay responsiveness.
• Replay value: New Game Plus, unlockables and hidden lore encourage a second run.

Why the studio’s story matters

Frogwares completed this project under extraordinary circumstances: pre-production began before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and development continued amid power shortages, air-raid alerts and staff disruptions. That background gives the release real significance — not just as a game, but as a resilient creative effort completed under strain.

Knowing the studio’s challenges doesn’t excuse rough edges, but it does put the game’s achievements in perspective. For a team making its clearest push into survival horror, the result feels earnest and often effective.

Who should play it — and what to expect

If you favour dense atmosphere, scavenging for supplies, and tension built around scarcity, The Sinking City 2 will likely satisfy. Players who want pinpoint, modernized shooting mechanics may find certain encounters frustrating. Those who enjoy world-building and piecing together fragments of lore will appreciate the optional investigative content.

Players looking for long-term content will find reasons to return: New Game Plus introduces unlockables such as infinite ammo, concept art and alternate costumes, while Arkham hides numerous secrets and side discoveries.

Bottom line: The Sinking City 2 is not a polish-first release, but it delivers a memorable, mood-driven survival-horror experience with a clear emotional center. It’s a promising evolution for Frogwares and a game that horror fans should consider exploring if they value atmosphere and story as much as combat precision.

Available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.