As The Sinking City conquered the gaming world in 2019, it amazed players with its unique mix of open-world investigation and creeping horror. The game transported us into a dark, Lovecraft-inspired world where detective sensibilities and cosmic horror collided. But the sequel, The Sinking City 2, will not simply continue on this course - it dares to take a bold step forward. Sergiy Oganesyan, Publishing Director at Frogwares, has now provided exciting insights into the evolution of this survival horror, which goes far beyond the familiar elements of the first part.
The dark evolution of horror
While the first edition of The Sinking City still relied heavily on the dark atmosphere and investigation mechanics, it seems that The Sinking City 2 to go in an even scarier direction. Oganesyan emphasizes that the game will be more than just a detective story with an eerie atmosphere: "Our vision for The Sinking City 2 is to create a Lovecraft-style survival horror game with deep investigation mechanics." But the horror experience is not only defined by the detective work - the horror now takes center stage, and in an even more intense way.
The development of The Sinking City 2 was anything but easy. In view of the ongoing war in Ukraine the developers had to find creative solutions to keep the work going. Despite the difficult circumstances, the team managed to push the game forward using remote work and valuable feedback from fans. The decision to port the game to Unreal Engine 5 has not only significantly increased the visual quality, but also enhanced the atmosphere - the game now promises to be visually stunning and terrifying at the same time.
Revised mechanics and intense action
One of the most striking innovations in The Sinking City 2 is the revised combat mechanics. While the first game still relied heavily on exploring a world riddled with horrors, the sequel focuses more on combat. But these battles are anything but trivial. Oganesyan explains that the development team did everything they could to make the combat as gripping and realistic as possible. "It has to be fun to land a hit," he emphasizes, and the improvements in visual design and the newly developed "wound body systems" ensure that every blow has the right effect. Enemies react realistically to hits, which further increases the intensity of the fight. There are also evasive maneuvers and close combat techniques that make the game feel even more dynamic.
But despite the reworked combat mechanics, the atmosphere remains the true heart of The Sinking City 2. The game does not take us back to the world of the first part, but to a new city that has also been ravaged by supernatural floods. This decision gives the developers the freedom to tell a fresh story without being tied to the narrative of the first game. Fans of the series can therefore look forward to a new, yet familiar world that is just as characterized by existential horrors as the original city.
Visual masterpieces and a profound narrative
The switch to Unreal Engine 5 has changed the visual design of The Sinking City 2 to a new level. Tools like Lumen and Nanite allow the developers to create an even more detailed and immersive world, where even the smallest details contribute to the atmosphere. From murky waters to wet surfaces, every visual element serves the goal of realizing horror in a way that was previously unattainable.
The gameplay of The Sinking City 2 will be a mixture of exploration, investigation and survival horror. Although there is no open-world structure as in the first part, the game offers extensive, explorable zones full of secrets. Every corner holds new, unsettling discoveries, and the atmosphere is always full of tension and terror. The exact length of the game remains a mystery, but fans can look forward to an intense, gripping experience.
The Sinking City 2 appears simultaneously for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with the possibility of enhanced features for the PS5 Pro. Despite the technical refinements, it is above all the new narrative and the deeper immersion into horror that The Sinking City 2 into an even more terrifying experience.
It's been a long road to get here, but the team at Frogwares is dedicated to one goal: to create the ultimate Lovecraft-style survival horror experience. With innovative technology, gripping combat and a world full of existential terror The Sinking City 2 into a game that will captivate fans and newcomers alike.
English 
German