Frogwares The Sinking City 2 Survival Horror Transformation in Unreal Engine 5 Arkham City and Development Support Details
Frogwares has scheduled The Sinking City 2 to launch during summer 2023. The game will release for PC and PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S platforms. The announcement included a complete gameplay demonstration which showed how the series shifted into the survival horror genre. The game uses Unreal Engine 5 to create a 1920s American experience which takes place in the submerged Arkham city. The technical transition will deliver an atmospheric experience which users will feel more deeply than the investigation based experience of the previous game.
Calvin Rafferty works as an occult adventurer who explores a city which experiences supernatural attacks from entities called the Slither. The main objective of Frogwares according to their press release involves rescuing his girlfriend from a ritual sleep which has taken her captive. The players will navigate through decaying mansions and deserted hospitals spaces while they have to handle their restricted resource limits and inventory limitations. The game includes a semi open world that lets players fight and explore while the studio has kept its investigative elements as an optional feature which players can use to investigate the surroundings for hidden clues.
Game director Alexander Gresko explained that the survival horror gameplay mechanics enable designers to create games according to their artistic vision. He explained that the team dedicated their time to combat and survival development whereas investigative aspects benefited original game fans through their presence in the game. The franchise needed to expand through this transition because its initial Lovecraftian elements remained essential to its original storyline.
Our idea to take a chance with The Sinking City 2 and create something more in the survival horror genre has really come together. The leaps and progress we have made are clear to all of us on the team, and now we are eager to see how it resonates with players, both new and our existing fans. While the genre shift has allowed us to really grow creatively, we are holding onto the investigative roots we are known for.
Frogwares continues to develop The Sinking City 2 while they encounter difficulties as a Ukrainian game developer throughout the current war situation. The studio launched a Kickstarter campaign which aims to collect 105000 as financial support for their team. The studio will experience financial security through this funding until they finish their project for mid year release. Previously Frogwares acquired complete ownership of the franchise which enables them to create remastered editions of the original game before proceeding to develop this sequel.
The gameplay mechanics emphasize 1920s inspired firearms and melee weapons used against eldritch abominations. Players will explore the city through walking and using boats to reach different areas. The studio will present their preferred style of storytelling through personal and elegant storytelling which describes gray moral situations. The industry anticipates a definite release date announcement after summer launch window because production work approaches completion.
