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The Sinking City 2 Review

PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, PC; Frogwares Frogwares’ Lovecraftian action-horror is full of grim tenacity and pulp paperback charm, despite a few frayed edges

The Sinking City 2 Review

TL;DR

  • The Sinking City 2 is a pulpy action-horror game fueled by scrappy ambition and Lovecraft fan fiction.
  • Development continued in Ukraine despite the ongoing invasion, with air raid sirens and public address systems frequently heard.
  • The game replaces the first game's exploration of Lovecraft's provincial racism with combat against cosmic horrors.
  • Influences from Resident Evil 2 are apparent in the UI, inventory management, and scarcity of supplies.
  • The game features clever puzzles reminiscent of Frogwares' Sherlock Holmes lineage.
  • Combat can be relentless, and the central romance is hampered by stiff acting and dialogue.
  • Gallows humor, elaborate secrets, and expert tension compensate for some of the game's shortcomings.
  • The narrative emphasizes refusing to abandon what one loves amidst destruction and disaster.