The Sinking City 2 Embraces Survival Horror After 7 Hours, Sharply Expanding Combat
Updated
Updated · Eurogamer.net · Aug 18
The Sinking City 2 Embraces Survival Horror After 7 Hours, Sharply Expanding Combat
3 articles · Updated · Eurogamer.net · Aug 18
Summary
Seven hours into The Sinking City 2, the sequel emerges as a far more combat-heavy survival horror game, largely sidelining the 2019 original’s detective-driven structure.
Frogwares pairs that shift with a new lead—Calvin Rafferty—and a move from Oakmont to flooded Arkham, trading semi-open investigation for a leaner, more linear trek through interiors, puzzles and resource scarcity.
Combat is the biggest upgrade: gunplay feels responsive, enemies are erratic and hard to read, and tight ammo, health and inventory limits create steady pressure even if early encounters can feel overly punishing.
Arkham’s 1920s setting remains a major draw, with flooded streets, art deco landmarks and environmental storytelling helping the game’s pacing improve as later areas open up and the horror lands more effectively.
The result is a risky but promising reinvention for Frogwares, suggesting the studio has found a more confident direction even as some of the series’ deduction-heavy identity recedes.