First things first, do not judge this one by the cover. The game is far from being polished, looks old, the combat system is clunky and outdated, yes, but due to a lot of passion and commitment behind it, the plot and the Lovecraft atmosphere will engage you pretty fast. Kept me playing for the entire weekend. A good thing I want to point out straight-ahead is even the side missions/cases are pretty interesting to solve. However, you'd better stick to the main plot for your first play through, it's pretty intriguing, as the side missions will only ruin your first impression, because it's not a high budget game and it shows. Among the downsides - the house interiors are pretty similar one to another. Halfway I came across a ruined house which looked like exactly the same as the one I had to investigate at the very beginning, up to the holes in the floor and the second floor wall. Later I would realize that nearly every house in the suburbs looked the same. Some characters you meet too will look the same with only different hair and clothing. What were the creators thinking? They should've waited to raise more money for this project instead of serving it half-cooked. So be prepared to come across some feel cheap stuff. It's strange that Man of Medan by Bandai Namco already announced will have a significantly lower price, while obviously being a much better looking game than this.
Needless to say the Sinking city is not an AAA game. Definitely a guilty pleasure but worth checking out. I personally did not regret getting it on PS4 on the very first day it was released because the Lovecraftian cosmic horror detective story plot saves it all. What more do you need to be entertained?
Even after Sekiro and RE 2 remake (2 of the best games ever and the best games of the year for sure) I enjoyed this game a lot. Do not judge it by the cover. This is one of the best games you'll ever play. Extremely addictive.
Let's get to the main issues
1. Mechanics and especially the combat system are dated
2. Cheap repetitive interior designs. I don't know why the developers didn't improve this part. It's just too obvious.
3. Some minor glitches
Now... did any of the aforementioned ruin the game play for me?! No, absolutely not, because, again, the story and the atmosphere are so nicely executed that you will want to forgive the downsides.
I'm not rating this game 10/10 because of the technical issues and would want the developers to go back and fix/polish it. What I want even more, is that team making as many Lovecraft games as possible, because they know how to do it.
7 Reviews
Action Detective
kosmasp12 May 2021
Have to admit, had no idea you could rate video games here too. Thought it was more or rather just about movies. This game was something that was really something that was along what I like to play and what I like to see. At least story wise that is true. There is enough madness and darkness here too. The story is quite interesting with Cthullu and other things. So if you are interested in those things ... you'll find a lot you will like here too.
So when it comes to the story aspect, I'd give it even higher notes or ratings. But the game has issues with controls and the action parts of it. At least that's how I would describe it and you may disagree with me. Add to that the fact that there are about3-5 templates when it comes to buildings - so you got those blueprints and every other house looks the same, just has other interior design to it. Sometimes a floor or two are cut off - the access to them are removed. But overall you will start thinking "haven't I been here before?" - even when you clearly haven't.
Not that can be viewed as a story tool - or seen as part of the mysticism. But it is just one of the things that might take away all the fun you can have while playing this. The detective aspect of the story might other entice you or bore you. I loved it, even if certain things could have been made easier (on the map, placing of clues and so forth ... it's different, with good and bad things combined).
So interesting overall with mad moral choices and even worse Trophies attached to some of those decisions - although mostly there are no real story changes. You can decide however you feel "best" - same goes for deciding which of the 3 endings you prefer ... none are being taken away, no matter what you do during the game ...
So when it comes to the story aspect, I'd give it even higher notes or ratings. But the game has issues with controls and the action parts of it. At least that's how I would describe it and you may disagree with me. Add to that the fact that there are about3-5 templates when it comes to buildings - so you got those blueprints and every other house looks the same, just has other interior design to it. Sometimes a floor or two are cut off - the access to them are removed. But overall you will start thinking "haven't I been here before?" - even when you clearly haven't.
Not that can be viewed as a story tool - or seen as part of the mysticism. But it is just one of the things that might take away all the fun you can have while playing this. The detective aspect of the story might other entice you or bore you. I loved it, even if certain things could have been made easier (on the map, placing of clues and so forth ... it's different, with good and bad things combined).
So interesting overall with mad moral choices and even worse Trophies attached to some of those decisions - although mostly there are no real story changes. You can decide however you feel "best" - same goes for deciding which of the 3 endings you prefer ... none are being taken away, no matter what you do during the game ...
A budget game that has its strong and weak moments
85122221 November 2023
Greetings from Lithuania.
I played and beated "The Sinking City" (2019) with its all possible outcomes. This is low budget AA video game with low production values, but one of those examples were production values is not everything. I liked the story of this game. Dialogs were solid as well mystery side. Its a detective type of game with set design and world heavily inspired by H. P. Lovecraft works. And that was the strongest aspect of this game. Also exploration was fun even if interiors of buildings you visit is just copy and paste.
Overall, with combat being at best just an OK, "The Sinking City" is a descent video game but clearly made on budget. The ending was pretty bad, because the cutscenes explaining every outcome lasted like 10 seconds. The game itself took me to beat like 17 hours. I mean come on. I would recommend it to pick it up for cheap on some sale - you might actually enjoy it just don't expect much.
I played and beated "The Sinking City" (2019) with its all possible outcomes. This is low budget AA video game with low production values, but one of those examples were production values is not everything. I liked the story of this game. Dialogs were solid as well mystery side. Its a detective type of game with set design and world heavily inspired by H. P. Lovecraft works. And that was the strongest aspect of this game. Also exploration was fun even if interiors of buildings you visit is just copy and paste.
Overall, with combat being at best just an OK, "The Sinking City" is a descent video game but clearly made on budget. The ending was pretty bad, because the cutscenes explaining every outcome lasted like 10 seconds. The game itself took me to beat like 17 hours. I mean come on. I would recommend it to pick it up for cheap on some sale - you might actually enjoy it just don't expect much.
Masterpiece
jason_angelswings10 January 2022
Like most of their Sherlock games this is completely under rated. Story is classic lovecraftian but has the great mechanics of a Sherlock game. Combat is basic but fun enough. It's more about the atmosphere and the fact they could be found any corner. Brilliant game. Must play.
A turning point for Frogwares
kellcooz2 May 2024
The game has a huge open world city setting, but with large sections that have nothing to interact with. I initially found this frustrating at first. However, once I figured out how the case-and-address system worked, it started to make more sense.
The story starts off quite slow, but is actually pretty good once it gets going. There are a couple of meaningful choices, of which one or two feel a bit forced, but overall add to the experience.
The game's mechanics (combat, sixth sense, etc.) are very simple, but integrated well enough.
The game is also a turning point for Frogwares in wanting to make games with action, open world setting, and horror elements, since both Sherlock Holmes Chapter One & The Awakened remake also carried elements from this game.
The Sinking City is also getting a SEQUEL, which itself is a pleasant surprise, and it seems this is a series Frogwares will enjoy growing in the coming years.
The story starts off quite slow, but is actually pretty good once it gets going. There are a couple of meaningful choices, of which one or two feel a bit forced, but overall add to the experience.
The game's mechanics (combat, sixth sense, etc.) are very simple, but integrated well enough.
The game is also a turning point for Frogwares in wanting to make games with action, open world setting, and horror elements, since both Sherlock Holmes Chapter One & The Awakened remake also carried elements from this game.
The Sinking City is also getting a SEQUEL, which itself is a pleasant surprise, and it seems this is a series Frogwares will enjoy growing in the coming years.
A great game with a terrible ending
nfjhhmhn23 November 2022
Throughout 95% of the gameplay, all you can think about is this being the perfect video game representation of Lovecraftian horror. It's full of twists, turns, and inexplicable monstrosities. The cosmic horror is balanced by very human stories that draw you in to each mission. Main and side missions alike build on the eldritch horror and its impact on the inhabitants of what was once a quiet seaside town
The game gives you a choice of endings, which feels like it will be cathartic regardless of whether you opt for salvation or destruction. Unfortunately, the ending absolutely ruins it. No matter what you choose, you get an ending cutscene that lasts less than a minute and "underwhelming" feels like too good a word.
Play the game. Enjoy the mystery. Be prepared to hate the ending.
The game gives you a choice of endings, which feels like it will be cathartic regardless of whether you opt for salvation or destruction. Unfortunately, the ending absolutely ruins it. No matter what you choose, you get an ending cutscene that lasts less than a minute and "underwhelming" feels like too good a word.
Play the game. Enjoy the mystery. Be prepared to hate the ending.
It is almost there but disappointing to play
tanamn-608996 September 2023
I fimd this game intriguing but a major letdown for a few reasons. The game is has a great investigative play that is simple and rewarding. It also has a unique setting that give you a creepy town with unique population and societial differences. These area of the game are respectable and rewarding. The areas I find to plague the game are the combat abilities of P. I. Reed, the lack of purpose and reward to engage in optional combat, and lastly I found the story to struggle to develop significance and seems to bug itself to end. But it is a unique game that definitely deserves a playthrough, at least for some.
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