
No matter the problem solving, drawbacks with the cryptic clues, and other minor indiscretions, the surrounding world is oppressive and beautiful.

The Sunken City is disgustingly beautiful. It was unfortunate as no detective game should require blind guesswork to progress. There were many times where I had to guess my way to the answer, as I did not know what was required of me. Many of the side quests and the research missions were confusing, with ambiguous cryptic clues to work out. It was a shame that not all problems were enjoyable to solve. It was ingenious, added depth to the story, and made you consider every decision you made. Like most of the gameplay, this isn’t a simple yes or no response, instead, your decision impacts whether people live or die, or if you are a good or bad person. Here you work through your findings, connecting the dots and coming up with allegations. Yet, like many other clues you are afforded, it’s cryptic in its approach and is extremely confusing to work with.Īs you solve each crime, the resulting information is placed in your Mind Palace. It was a fantastic way to play with the supernatural and was in keeping with the cosmic thoughts. He uses his Retrocognition to study items and piece together clues from any crimes he investigates. He can understand crime scenes by observing images from the past. The protagonist is no ordinary man, and it wouldn’t be very Lovecraftian if he was. I loved these elements and though it dated the gameplay slightly, it matched the sinister theme and 20s era perfectly. This was down to the Silent Hill and early Resident Evil elements that have been weaved into the aesthetics. These jumpscares got me every time, even though I knew they were coming. You’ll become distracted by the high rising structures to then be scared half to death as monstrous creatures rise from the ground. So thank goodness for fast travel is all I’m going to say.Īs you traverse the grey streets filled with merchants, beggars, and vehicles, you lose yourself in the oppressive atmosphere. This was marvellous, to begin with, but as the game wore on it became tedious. You are forced to wander the water lined roads to progress through the many main and side quests you undertake. An array of buildings and houses form this sprawling metropolis, and the variety is truly breathtaking. The first thing to strikes you is the level of detail in the surrounding areas. Bustling communities romp around the foggy, eerie streets.
#The sinking city gameplay full
A deeply detailed world full of mystery and jumpscares. Luckily you have the skills to assist him. Only he can help you, but his knowledge and assistance come at a price. It is reported that he knows what causes the visions in your head, but your visit hasn’t come at the most convenient of times. You travel to this wrecked place to meet with Robert Throgmorton a half-man, half-ape being. This disaster brought together two different beings, and the locals hate the Innsmouthers a fishlike people and any newcomers that come to their city. A great flood has decimated this once-bustling city, causing carnage and the roads to be partially swamped with water.

Oakmount is a fictional island on the Eastern Seaboard. This makes him travel to Oakmount, Massachusetts, and this is where the tale begins. Visions haunt detective Reed and he dreams the same images every night and cannot solve the riddle. Travelling around America he uses his special powers to solve mysteries, but these abilities have come at a cost. On leaving the forces, he became a private detective. You control a gruff ex-naval diver called Charles Reed. The Sinking City explores some bizarre and surreal subjects within its 1920s facade. The Sinking City tells a tale of new friends and sordid deals. It’s a typical gritty detective drama that firmly sticks with its American writer’s inspiration throughout. Lovecraft you experience a typical blend of weird ideas and horror creatures in his Cthulhu Mythos universe. You get to experience this existence in a grim and dark tale in the world of The Sinking City.ĭeveloped by Frogwares and published by Bigben Interactive, this is a seedy detective game set in a dank world. Too many questions have them on edge, and they’d rather answer with their guns than their words. People have respect for the authorities but are suspicious of private detectives. Yet, many people are still old-fashioned and like to work traditionally. It’s the 1920s, and the world is evolving with technology and new discoveries.
