The Sinking City 2 Review: Ukrainian Horror That Endures Against the Flood

In the prosthetics wing of a delightfully absurd

In the prosthetics wing of a delightfully absurd horror hospital, I find myself on a quest for a preacher's flayed face, needed to trick an exceedingly sinister smart doorbell. The room's atmosphere shifts abruptly from theatrical gore to stark reality: pinned to a board, a dozen sepia X-rays show shattered bones and metal splints, each accompanied by a note. These are the clinical records of Ukrainian soldiers' injuries—fingers lost to burns, limbs to mines, toes to shellfire. It's a sobering reminder of the war that surrounds the developers at Frogwares, and it lends an unexpected weight to the game's grim fantasy.

The Sinking City 2, much like the beloved 'seven-out-of-ten' titles of the PS3 era, is a pulpy action-horror that thrives on scrappy ambition and Lovecraftian fan fiction. Its scenario design is wonderfully unhinged: you might find yourself interrogating a jarred brain to detect its lies, or embarking on a scavenger hunt to repair a crane so you can move a rotting whale carcass. There's even a firefight amid the carnage of a pop star's fan gathering turned brutal. These moments are filled with a pulp paperback charm that keeps the experience engaging, even when the game's rough edges show.

Yet, beneath the camp and chaos, there's a tenacity that mirrors its creators' circumstances. The game doesn't shy away from the horrors of reality; instead, it weaves them into its fabric, making the cosmic dread feel more grounded. The result is a horror experience that's both entertaining and poignant, a testament to the resilience of its Ukrainian developers.

Despite its frayed seams and occasional technical hiccup…

Despite its frayed seams and occasional technical hiccups, The Sinking City 2 manages to carve out its own identity in the crowded horror genre. It's a game that embraces its B-movie inspirations while offering a subtle, heartfelt nod to the real-world struggles of its makers. For those willing to dive into its murky waters, there's a unique blend of terror and humanity awaiting.

The game may not reach the heights of horror greats, but its spirit is undeniable. It's a rough-around-the-edges adventure that, much like the soldiers in those X-rays, endures against all odds. Frogwares has crafted a love letter to Lovecraft and to their own perseverance, and it's well worth a play for anyone seeking a horror game with heart.