Frogwares has long been known as the Sherlock Holmes developer, almost exclusively dedicating its creative output to adventures involving the iconic detective and his assistant Watson. But in 2019, the Ukrainian studio flipped the script and released The Sinking City – a Lovecraftian-inspired experience that added more action to the equation. Sure, it was largely a variation of the same theme, but it showed a changing of the guard of sorts – a desire to move away from the familiar and try something different. Now, seven years since the first entry (and after a couple more Sherlock adventures), Frogwares is on the cusp of releasing The Sinking City 2, and this time the studio has pivoted from its detective-focused gameplay, fully committing to a survival horror experience. We recently went hands-on with a preview build to see if this was the right move.
Despite being a sequel, The Sinking City 2 is a standalone entry that sees you play as occult adventurer Calvin Rafferty, who heads to Arkham, a city that has been affected by a supernatural flood and overrun with parasitic creatures known as the Slither that emerged from the water. Rafferty’s goal is to find a way to bring his girlfriend back after she failed to wake up from a failed ritual.
The preview build gave me access to two missions at different points in the story and showcased the varied gameplay styles. The first mission started with Calvin already in Arkham, with his search for a specific ritual book leading him to the Miskatonic University library where the book was rumoured to be. It didn’t take long for this mission to introduce the game’s refined combat mechanics, with the university crawling with eldritch creatures.
Combat was one of – if not – the main criticisms from the original entry, with floaty shooting mechanics that weren’t overly satisfying. Frogwares has openly stated that improving the gunplay has been one of its main priorities for TSC2. In the preview, Calvin has access to a pistol, a semi-automatic rifle and a shotgun to deal with the Slither. While I’ll reserve final judgment until the game releases, I will say that the improvement is noticeable – guns do have more heft, but you’ll still need to temper your expectations, this is a AA game after all. If I had to compare it to anything, I’d say it feels similar to Silent Hill 2 Remake.
Where combat is still a little weak is that enemies have hit spots highlighted by growths on their bodies. Sometimes these may regenerate in other areas once they’ve been shot, while other times they will be exterminated. This design means that you always have a rough idea of how hard the enemy will be to kill, which does take some of the tension away. In saying that, in the second half of the preview, there were a couple times that I became outnumbered, panic set in and I scurried off with my tail between my legs.
Shoot the spot
Upon retrieving the book, Calvin discovers that it’s written in a language of symbols he doesn’t understand, and with Microsoft Word and the Wingdings font not yet invented to help him translate it, he must find another way to decipher the text. Which is when we run into Corentin de Grandemange – a man who has infected himself with the Slither but somehow remains human. He offers to help in exchange for a favour (classic), asking Calvin to find a person at the Devil’s Reef Hotel for him. This sends Calvin out into Arkham, and with the city covered in water, he’ll need to use an appropriate method of transportation (it’s a boat).
En route to the next destination, Calvin decides to stop and suss out a church, which shows off TSC2’s exploration, investigation mechanics, and puzzle design. The investigation gameplay may not be the main focus, but that doesn’t mean that Frogwares has forgotten its roots. Investigation work is still a core part of The Sinking City 2, but it is no longer compulsory to proceed. Instead, finding clues and making deductions may help you solve puzzles or understand what you need to do next.
Which is exactly the case here. Through clues I found in and around the church, I was able to figure out the order that I needed for a puzzle involving symbols and lightning. There’s a Mind Palace-esque screen that lets you connect clues, and successfully grouping clues will reward you with upgrade points that can be used to upgrade Calvin’s abilities.
Interesting choice
The second mission sees us cut to the middle of the game, and for reasons unknown (during the preview), we find ourselves at the Akeley Memorial Hospital. This section of the preview is where we really get a taste of the survival horror vibe Frogwares is going for, and I must admit, I dig it. The confined hallways create a level of tension that the more open areas can’t achieve, and along with some creepy audio work, there are some genuinely nerve-racking moments. I’m deliberately being vague with mission and story details here, as I think you’re best off experiencing it for yourself. But the Akeley Memorial Hospital has some interesting story threads that I am keen to learn more about.
You can tell where Frogwares has lifted inspiration from with some of its design choices. Like a lot of survival horrors, Calvin can utilise a room free from danger to deal with his business. Here, you can save your game, manage your inventory and stash, and upgrade Calvin’s skills. You can also craft health items and ammunition from materials found in the world, and although Calvin has a limited amount of inventory slots, this can be upgraded as you progress.
I really enjoyed The Sinking City back in 2019, and after a couple hours with the preview, my excitement for TSC2 has increased. Based on what I’ve played, I think the move to a more combat-heavy survival horror game has been a great call – Frogwares’ take on Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos makes for a great foundation for such an experience, and The Sinking City 2 is shaping up to be an impressive follow-up, building on almost everything I loved about the first game.
The Sinking City 2 will release later in 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Previewed on PC using code provided by the publisher
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