Developer Frogwares has recently unveiled the first glimpse of gameplay for The Sinking City 2, a title that seems to merge the eerie Lovecraftian cosmic horror with the intense survival elements of Resident Evil. This initial showcase is part of their efforts to generate buzz around the game’s crowdfunding campaign, and from what we’ve seen, it promises a captivating mix of suspenseful surprises and impressive visuals.
Their strategy certainly paid off, as The Sinking City 2 hit its crowdfunding target in less than two hours post-launch. surpassing its initial goals, the Kickstarter campaign has now raised nearly $250,000, a monumental achievement for Frogwares. This sequel appears to take a page out of Capcom’s Resident Evil series with even more Resident Evil-inspired features, reflecting a growing trend in horror games. The Silent Hill 2 remake, released last year, successfully employed a similar strategy, which could bode well for The Sinking City 2.
Bloober Team, the minds behind Layers of Fear and The Blair Witch, took on the challenging feat of remaking Silent Hill 2, a game beloved for its psychological depth. Despite some initial doubts from fans concerned that a Resident Evil-like action focus might overshadow the narrative, the remake proved to strike a balance. The new camera perspective added a level of realism, while the strategic combat kept players on their toes. Recently, Bloober Team and Konami have announced a collaboration for another project, indicating a continued partnership.
When it comes to The Sinking City 2, its Resident Evil inspirations are quite distinct. Billed by Frogwares as a third-person survival horror experience, it features the iconic over-the-shoulder camera angle. The visuals, rife with unsettling body horror and shadowy atmospheres, echo the aesthetic of classic zombie games. This sequel builds upon its predecessor by promising substantial improvements. Originally released in 2019, the first Sinking City impressed with its exploration and mystery elements but had room to lean further into horror, a direction the sequel seems to embrace.
For players eyeing a physical copy, contributing to The Sinking City 2’s Kickstarter is the way to go. Although the release date remains unannounced, the campaign promises that rewards will likely be shipped by December. Frogwares appears to be honing in on a formula that takes the eerie, unsettling tone of Lovecraft and melds it with crowd-pleasing game mechanics inspired by Resident Evil.
As The Sinking City 2 continues its development, horror enthusiasts are now eagerly waiting for an official release date. With the foundation laid by its gripping gameplay teasers, Frogwares could be crafting a horror narrative that players will find well worth the anticipation.
