The Sinking City 2 has received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its oppressive Lovecraftian atmosphere, engaging puzzles, solid gunplay, and effective shift toward a more focused survival-horror experience. While inventory management, uneven combat, and some narrative issues hold it back, most reviewers agree that Frogwares has delivered a compelling and atmospheric horror game.
7.6
Average Score (adjusted)
Confidence: High
Divisive
Reviews: 9
Top Review: Vandal (8.3)
Spread: 2.3
⭐ 8 / 10
GamingBolt's verdict is "Great," concluding that The Sinking City 2 is an impressive take on Lovecraftian horror that successfully shifts to survival-horror with an excellent atmosphere, a solid story, intriguing characters, smooth gunplay, and enjoyable survival mechanics. The review praises the semi-open world of Arkham for feeling dangerous and mysterious, rewarding exploration with well-implemented upgrade systems. However, the negatives are tedious inventory management that forces too many trips to safe rooms, and clunky melee controls. Despite utilizing many tried-and-tested genre staples, the reviewer states the game brings enough new elements to make that complaint acceptable, and the city's atmosphere is its greatest strength, keeping players on edge throughout.
⭐ 70 / 100
PC Gamer's verdict is that The Sinking City 2 is an
incremental improvement over the original, trading the first game's
overstayed open world for a tighter survival-horror experience in more constrained locations. The pros include improved combat with a dodge
move, a snappier feel, and the solid Resident Evil-inspired structure of
puzzles and zombie encounters. The cons are significant: the story
rushes to an abrupt end, the inventory and crafting systems feel like
filler, the investigation elements are downplayed, and the game moves on
from its flooded city setting just as it starts to become interesting.
⭐ 7 / 10
But Why Tho? concludes that The Sinking City 2 is a challenging survival horror game that pushes players to
their limits, excelling in its Lovecraftian worldbuilding, atmospheric
environments, and clever puzzles. However, the experience is
significantly dragged down by its unlikeable and annoying protagonists,
Calvin and Faye, whose selfish story and constant
commentary—particularly during boss fights—undermine the horror. The
review also notes issues with unfair bullet-sponge enemies and overly easy boss fights, but ultimately states that if you can get past
the protagonists, you will have a great time.
⭐ 4 / 5
Hardcore Gamer concludes that The Sinking City 2 is an
interesting survival horror game with a strong, unsettling, and
oppressive atmosphere that demands careful inventory management. The
review notes that the game feels limited in upgrades and progression,
and that the combat balance is poor, with enemies requiring too many
bullets and the game itself compensating by giving out extra ammo during
horde fights. However, the powerful ambiance and Lovecraftian
inspiration make the experience striking in the right way for the genre.
⭐ 83 / 100
Vandal concludes that The Sinking City 2 is a highly
recommended survival horror game with excellent pacing and a strong
Lovecraftian atmosphere. The review praises its balanced mix of linear
progression and rewarding exploration, and states that the shift in
genre from the first game's detective-focused open world works well.
However, the negatives are that the game now faces very high competition
from other survival horror titles, and the combat design and certain
situations could be more polished. The final verdict emphasizes that it
is a highly recommended title for fans of the genre, as long as they understand that it lacks the resources of the biggest genre exponents.
⭐ 4 / 5
GamesRadar+ concludes that The Sinking City 2 works phenomenally well, confidently
standing alongside modern Resident Evil and Silent Hill games with its
polished design, unpredictable scares, and excellent use of Lovecraftian
themes. The review praises its dense, well-designed maps, solid
gunplay, and the constant tension of inventory management and enemy
encounters. The negatives are that mandatory enemy gauntlets and boss
battles feel less dangerous than the regular exploration, some areas
feel somewhat disconnected, and a few mechanics (like waiting for weak
spots to appear) can be artificially annoying. However, the reviewer
states that despite the odd misstep, the game has become a new favorite
survival horror series to follow.
⭐ 8 / 10
Gamereactor concludes that The Sinking City 2 is an
impressive and enjoyable survival horror game that successfully merges
Frogwares' strengths in narrative-heavy puzzles with the classic
survival horror template. The review praises its excellent level design,
engaging puzzles, twisted narrative, strong performances, quality
technical performance, and brilliant use of accessibility options.
However, the negatives are that it faces many typical survival horror
pitfalls, including aggravating inventory management, limited ammo
economy forcing evasion, and the issue of receiving ammunition for
weapons not currently carried. The review also notes the game is
predictable in places and underuses the "sinking city" setting itself.
Overall, the reviewer states that despite areas needing improvement, the
game is a thrilling experience and makes them excited to see what
Frogwares does next.
⭐ 3 / 5
The Guardian concludes that The Sinking City 2 is a pulpy
action horror with scrappy ambition, generous doses of gallows humor,
elaborate secrets, and expert tension that picks up the slack from its
flaws. The review praises the clever puzzles, the strong influence of
Resident Evil 2 Remake's design, and the writing that tells a story
about refusing to leave what you love in the rubble. However, the
negatives include enemies that are so relentless that most combat is
unavoidable, undermining the intricate map design, and the central
romance that flops due to stiff acting and overwrought dialogue. The
review highlights the context of the Ukrainian developers continuing
work through the war, stating the game is full of grim tenacity and pulp
paperback charm, despite a few frayed edges.
⭐ 8 / 10
COGconnected concludes that The Sinking City 2 is an
excellent game that they loved, despite its flaws. The review praises
the gripping Lovecraftian narrative, the detective adventure mechanics,
and the throwback to traditional survival horror, stating that the world
and story constantly compelled them. However, the negatives are that
combat feels like an obligatory and bland mechanic, there are framerate
drops, and the game sometimes lacks polish. The reviewer notes that
while the game might not appear as slick as other modern survival horror
titles, it feels more unique with its combination of 1920s Lovecraftian
narrative, detective mechanics, and survival horror elements, and
recommends that curious survival horror and Frogwares fans should
absolutely pick it up.
Very Positive
Limited reviews