Ukrainian developer Frogwares released a gameplay trailer for its new title, 'The Sinking City 2,' on the 7th (local time). The trailer showcases key elements of the game, including exploration and combat in the flooded city of Arkham and Lovecraftian monsters.

'The Sinking City 2' is a survival horror game set in the United States during the 1920s. After a supernatural flood engulfs the city, most of the normal residents have fled, leaving the decaying streets to be occupied by otherworldly horrors. Players take on the role of occult adventurer Calvin Rafferty, who must navigate the ruined city to save his lover, Faye, who has fallen into an eternal sleep as the result of a botched ritual. The city is haunted by 'Slithers,' otherworldly creatures that manipulate corpses like puppets.

The gameplay is built around five main pillars: combat using 1920s-era firearms and melee weapons; city exploration by foot and boat; survival elements involving limited resources and inventory management; optional investigations and puzzles to uncover clues; and a Lovecraftian narrative centered on cults and rituals. Key locations include ruined mansions, flooded markets, and abandoned hospitals.

This title represents a shift in direction for Frogwares. While the previous series leaned heavily into investigation, 'The Sinking City 2' adopts a 'horror-first' approach, placing greater weight on combat, survival, and exploration. However, the investigation elements familiar to existing fans will remain as an optional layer for those who wish to engage with them.

Frogwares Game Director Alexander Gresko stated that the studio's foray into the survival horror genre has come to fruition, noting that they have maintained the studio's signature investigative elements despite the genre shift. He added that the story is a more personal narrative focused on the protagonist's individual loss, while still retaining the studio's characteristic themes of moral ambiguity and Lovecraftian horror.

'The Sinking City 2' is scheduled for release in the summer of 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.