The Sinking City 2 Review: Scores and Verdict

Is The Sinking City 2 Good?

Yes — reviewers rate The Sinking City 2 as a strong survival horror. IGN gave it 8/10, calling it a praiseworthy blend of Lovecraft and Resident Evil, and the Steam store page quotes DualShockers at 9/10, DayOne at 9/10, and GameStar at 8.6/10. Player reception was equally warm: around 95% of early Steam reviews were positive.

The consensus is that Frogwares successfully traded the first game's open-world detective structure for a tighter, more focused horror experience. This page collects the verified scores and what reviewers actually praised.

Review Scores

The verified scores are:

| Outlet / source | Score | |---|---| | IGN | 8/10 | | DualShockers | 9/10 | | DayOne | 9/10 | | GameStar | 8.6/10 | | Metacritic (PS5) | 79 | | Metacritic (Xbox Series X) | 84 | | OpenCritic | 81 (69-77% recommend) | | Steam users | Very Positive — about 95% of ~300+ reviews |

Metacritic scores came from the launch-week reviews: 79 on PS5 and 84 on Xbox Series X. TechTimes and hi-tech.ua both reported the platform split, noting the difference reflects which critics reviewed which version rather than a clear quality gap.

What Critics Praise

The most repeated praise is the atmosphere. Reviews describe the oppressive Lovecraftian dread, the flooded Arkham setting, and a sound design that does serious horror work. IGN's review highlights the way moment-to-moment survival mechanics feel like a well-crafted Resident Evil imitation.

Puzzles and the investigation loop also earned consistent praise. Reviewers note the game keeps the detective roots while making the horror the centerpiece, and the gunplay is described as tight and rewarding with real tension.

The Genre Shift

The biggest talking point is the pivot from the 2019 original. Where the first game was a campy, investigative open-world adventure, The Sinking City 2 is straight survival horror: linear, resource-lean, and focused on atmosphere.

German outlet 4P.de describes the shift as abandoning the open world and deduction-heavy crime-scene work for a polished, classic survival horror experience. Gamerant argues the smaller scope made the sequel a better game.

Player Reception on Steam

Steam players rated the game Very Positive in its launch week. Russian outlet StopGame reported around 300 reviews with 94% positive at launch, while VGtimes reported 95% positive. Players specifically praised the optimization and the atmosphere.

The 95% figure comes from the launch window; the exact percentage shifts as review volume grows. As of the latest research the game holds Very Positive status on Steam.

Is It Worth $49.99?

Reviewers generally say yes. The $49.99 price was deliberately set below the standard $60+ premium tier, and several outlets noted the shorter, denser campaign justifies the lower price point.

At 10-13 hours with strong replay value from multiple endings and New Game Plus, most launch coverage described it as good value compared with longer but thinner horror releases.

Criticism and Caveats

The most common caveat is that the game wears its Resident Evil influences openly — IGN calls it an "off-brand" imitation that succeeds on quality rather than originality. Some reviewers also noted the linear structure limits the investigation freedom fans of the original might expect.

For players who preferred the 2019 game's open world, the smaller scope is a deliberate change, not an oversight. Read the genre-shift section above before buying if that matters to you.

Platform Differences

Metacritic shows 79 on PS5 and 84 on Xbox Series X, and reviewers and players both noted the gap likely reflects which critics reviewed which version rather than a real quality difference. OpenCritic aggregates 81 with a 69-77% recommendation rate.

On PC, the game received the same warm reception, with Steam's Very Positive rating and positive community benchmark coverage. No platform was reported as broken or significantly inferior at launch.

Who Should Buy It

Buy The Sinking City 2 if you want a focused, atmospheric survival horror with strong puzzles and genuine tension, and if you enjoyed the Resident Evil or Silent Hill formula. The $49.99 price makes the 10-13 hour campaign good value.

Skip it if you specifically want the open-world investigation gameplay of the 2019 original, or if horror that leans on atmosphere and resource scarcity is not your style. The demo is the best way to decide before buying.

What Players Say

Player reviews echo the critics: the atmosphere and graphics are praised consistently, and the sound design is called a highlight. Steam review summaries describe the combat as rewarding and fluid with a deep mastery curve.

The main player caveats mirror the press — the Resident Evil influences are visible, and the campaign is short by design. The 95% positive figure is from the launch window; the rating has remained Very Positive since.

Review FAQ

What did IGN score it? 8/10, calling it a praiseworthy blend of Lovecraft and Resident Evil.

What is the Metacritic score? 79 on PS5 and 84 on Xbox Series X at launch.

Is it scary? Yes — multiple outlets describe it as genuinely scary, with strong atmosphere and sound design.

Should I play the first game first? No — it is a standalone story, and reviewers say new players can jump in directly.

Which platform has the best score? Metacritic shows 84 on Xbox Series X versus 79 on PS5; critics attribute the gap to reviewer mix rather than game quality.