Summary
The Sinking City 2, a sequel to the 2019 detective horror title, has been revealed at Xbox’s Partner Preview event and is leaning even harder into its Lovecraftian inspiration. The Xbox Partner Preview show highlighted some of the exciting third party games set to launch on Xbox in the coming months, includingFinal Fantasy 14’s March 21 Xbox release date, theS.T.A.L.K.E.R. Legends of the ZoneTrilogy, another look at Capcom’s RTS mashupKunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, and much more.
Developed by Frogwares, a studio known for itsSherlock Holmesadventure games,The Sinking Citywas released in 2019 and largely flew under the radar. The Lovecraftian horror detective game was set in the gloomy fictional 1920s fishing city of Oakmont, Massachusetts, and featuredResident Evil-style third-person shooting combat. One ofThe Sinking City’s more interesting gameplay elements was the incorporation of its detective mechanics, which allowed players to peruse crime scenes and come up with deductions to advance the game’s narrative.
AtXbox’s recent Partner Preview showcase,The Sinking City 2got its first ever reveal trailer, which was stamped with a 2025 release window. The cinematic trailer features heavy horror elements, drawing inspiration once again from H. P. Lovecraft’s notorious cosmic horror writings. Frogwares' Head of Publishing, Sergey Oganesyan,spoke with Xbox Wireabout whatSinking Cityfans, and horror enthusiasts in general, can expect from the sequel. “The Sinking Cityis one of our most successful titles, because of our stronger horror genre leanings and the setting…it was kind of a breakthrough, and we are super excited to work on a full-scale horror game.” At the top of the list wasThe Sinking City 2’s darker shift into a full-blown horror experience. While the first game certainly featured creepy horror elements and an incredibly damp and dreary atmosphere, it wasn’t truly considered a bona fide horror title, as its horror mostly aired on the lighter side.
The Sinking Cityis one of our most successful titles, because of our stronger horror genre leanings and the setting…it was kind of a breakthrough, and we are super excited to work on a full-scale horror game.
This deeper horror tone won’t be the only change brought in the sequel.The Sinking City 2will be set in a new town, named Arkham, and will give players control of an all-new protagonist. While no further details of this new hero were divulged by Oganesyan, he did confirm that Arkham will be a bit smaller than the original game’s Oakmont. These changes in setting and protagonist hope to better welcome new players without making them feel like they need to play through the first game. Oganesyan also noted thatThe Skinking City 2will have a larger focus on combat, and that, unlike in the original, the detective mechanics will be optional, but will remain helpful. Third-person shooting was one ofThe Sinking City’s weaker points, so it’ll be interesting to see how the combat will be improved in the sequel.
When Can Fans Expect To Learn More About The Sinking City 2?
It’s possible that gamers may learn Sinking City 2later on in the year, perhaps at Gamescom or The Game Awards. Oganesyan also noted thatThe Sinking City 2began pre-production about two years ago. With this in mind, it would be wise to expect the sequel to be aiming for later on in its 2025 window, also considering Ukraine-based Frogwares is developing the title during theongoing Russo-Ukranian war.
The Sinking City
WHERE TO PLAY
The Sinking City is an adventure and investigation game set in an open world inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of Horror. The half-submerged city of Oakmont is gripped by supernatural forces. You’re a private investigator, and you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the city… and the minds of its inhabitants.- An oppressive atmosphere and story inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft.- A vast open world that can be explored on foot, by boat, in a diving suit…- High replay value thanks to an open investigation system: each case can be solved in a number of ways, with different possible endings depending on your actions.- An arsenal of weapons from the 1920s with which to take on nightmarish creatures.- Manage your mental health to untangle the truth behind the madness.
