Info about The Sinking City Remastered:

Official game description:
Experience the Lovecraftian horror of **_The Sinking City_** in a whole new light. This Unreal Engine 5 remaster brings the game's eerie atmosphere to life with stunning visuals and enhanced features. Dive into Oakmont's mysteries and unravel the city's descent into madness.
**Remaster Highlights:**
*   Lumen Global Illumination and ray tracing
*   4K textures and extra environmental details
*   FSR, DLSS, and Frame Generation support
*   HDR, photo mode
*   Improvements to controls, combat, game balance, crowds, and tutorials
**Game Description:**
**_The Sinking City_** is an adventure and investigation game set in an open world inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft, the master of Horror. The half-submerged city of Oakmont is gripped by supernatural forces. You're a private investigator, and you have to uncover the truth of what has possessed the city… and the minds of its inhabitants.
**Game Pillars:**
*   An oppressive atmosphere and story inspired by the universe of H.P. Lovecraft.
*   A vast open world that can be explored on foot, by boat, in a diving suit…
*   High replay value thanks to an open investigation system: each case can be solved in a number of ways, with different possible endings depending on your actions.
*   An arsenal of weapons from the 1920s with which to take on nightmarish creatures.
*   Manage your mental health to untangle the truth behind the madness.

Release date: Feb 26, 2021

Categories: Lovecraftian Horror, Open-World Exploration, Investigative Gameplay, Deductive Reasoning Puzzle, Choice-based Narrative, Psychological Horror, Atmospheric Horror, Environmental Storytelling


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Immersive Lovecraftian atmosphere (weight 0.98): The game excels in creating a deeply immersive Lovecraftian atmosphere, with strong world-building, eerie environments, and a pervasive sense of cosmic horror. Players consistently highlight the game's ability to capture the essence of Lovecraft's works through its setting, lore, and tone.
- Strong narrative and storytelling (weight 0.7): The game delivers a compelling narrative with morally ambiguous choices, well-written characters, and a richly detailed story. The Lovecraftian themes are woven seamlessly into the main and side quests, creating an engaging and immersive experience.
- Meaningful player choices and consequences (weight 0.62): The game offers impactful choices that influence the story's outcome, adding depth and replayability. Players appreciate the moral ambiguity and the weight of their decisions, which shape the narrative in meaningful ways.
- Satisfying exploration and discovery (weight 0.58): The game encourages exploration and rewards players for uncovering hidden details, reading lore, and piecing together mysteries. The lack of hand-holding enhances the sense of discovery and immersion.
- Engaging detective mechanics (weight 0.55): The investigation system is a standout feature, requiring players to connect clues, explore archives, and piece together mysteries without hand-holding. The 'Mind Palace' and other detective tools add depth and replayability to the gameplay.
- High-quality visuals and remaster improvements (weight 0.48): The remastered version significantly enhances the game's visuals, with improved lighting, textures, and overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the technical upgrades, including better performance, optimization, and additional content like the Necronomicon DLC.
- Strong sound design and voice acting (weight 0.45): The game features excellent sound design, including atmospheric music and immersive voice acting. The Russian voice acting, in particular, is highlighted for its high quality and use of well-known actors.

Common complaints:
- Lack of polish and unfinished feel (weight 0.95): The game is described as unpolished, with stiff animations, awkward controls, and numerous bugs (e.g., NPCs getting stuck, respawn issues). Many players feel it was released in an incomplete or rushed state.
- Repetitive and tedious gameplay (weight 0.83): Players consistently report that the gameplay loop is repetitive, boring, and lacks freshness. Combat, traversal, and mission design are frequently criticized for being drawn-out and unengaging, with many describing the experience as a 'walking simulator.'
- Clunky and outdated combat mechanics (weight 0.75): Combat is widely criticized as clunky, unpolished, and repetitive, with poor feedback, limited enemy variety, and stiff animations. Many players find it frustrating or outright unfun, often resorting to melee as a last resort.
- Unintuitive and frustrating navigation (weight 0.69): Navigation is hindered by a lack of a minimap, confusing quest markers, and repetitive travel mechanics (e.g., fast travel, boat sections). Players report feeling lost or frustrated due to poor level design and UI.
- Empty and lifeless open world (weight 0.69): The open world is described as sparse, repetitive, and lacking meaningful interactions or activities. Players report feeling bored due to the lack of engaging exploration, NPC depth, or dynamic elements.
- Poor technical performance and optimization (weight 0.52): Frequent crashes, stuttering, FPS drops, and poor optimization are major issues, even on high-end hardware. The remastered version is particularly criticized for failing to improve performance and introducing new bugs.
- Poorly implemented sanity and horror mechanics (weight 0.44): The sanity system is criticized for causing motion sickness, distorting the screen unnecessarily, and lacking meaningful gameplay impact. Horror elements are undermined by clunky combat and repetitive enemy encounters.
- Limited enemy variety and respawn issues (weight 0.19): Enemies are repetitive, with only a few types encountered throughout the game. Respawn mechanics are frustrating, often setting players back or breaking immersion.
- Motion sickness and accessibility issues (weight 0.17): Motion blur, camera wobble, and third-person perspective cause motion sickness for many players. The lack of accessibility options (e.g., FoV adjustment) exacerbates the problem.
- Frustrating resource and inventory management (weight 0.12): Ammo scarcity, clunky crafting, and limited inventory space create unnecessary frustration. Players report that resource management feels punitive and detracts from the overall experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Core Detective Gameplay Loop (weight 0.92): The game centers on detective-style investigation mechanics, including clue gathering, deductive reasoning, and puzzle-solving. Players analyze crime scenes, connect evidence, and form theories using a 'Mind Palace' or similar systems, often with minimal hand-holding.
- Open-World Exploration Mechanics (weight 0.88): Players navigate a semi-open world via foot or boat, with manual map marking and no GPS guidance. Exploration is encouraged through environmental storytelling, side quests, and hidden clues, though some find the traversal slow or repetitive.
- Moral Choices and Branching Narratives (weight 0.78): Decisions influence story outcomes, character fates, and endings, often framed as morally ambiguous dilemmas. However, some players report that choices feel illusory or lack meaningful impact.
- Secondary Combat System (weight 0.78): Combat is simplistic and often avoidable, featuring melee (e.g., shovel) and ranged weapons with limited ammo. Described as clunky or outdated, it serves as a minor gameplay element compared to investigation.
- Sanity and Psychological Systems (weight 0.77): Sanity mechanics affect gameplay, causing hallucinations, stress, or narrative consequences. Some players note the system feels underutilized, while others appreciate its thematic integration with the horror elements.
- Resource Scarcity and Crafting (weight 0.75): Ammo and supplies are limited, requiring crafting (e.g., bullets, medkits) and strategic management. The bullet-based currency system adds tension but can feel punitive to some players.
- Minimal NPC Interaction (weight 0.68): NPCs are primarily quest-givers with limited dialogue or reactivity. Interactions outside quests are rare, and some players report bugs or overwhelming text-based descriptions.
- Lack of Guidance and Hand-Holding (weight 0.65): The game intentionally avoids quest markers or waypoints, forcing players to rely on notes, maps, and deduction. While immersive, this can frustrate players seeking clearer direction.
- Monster Variety and Behavior (weight 0.64): Enemies include Lovecraftian creatures with unique designs, though some players note limited variety or repetitive AI. Combat encounters are secondary to investigation but add tension.
- Fast Travel via Phone Booths (weight 0.17): Fast travel is unlocked through phone booths or similar hubs, providing a way to navigate the open world efficiently. Some players appreciate the convenience, while others prefer manual exploration.
- Character Progression Systems (weight 0.05): Skill trees and XP-based upgrades exist but are often criticized as shallow or underwhelming. Progression focuses on minor abilities or combat upgrades, with limited impact on core gameplay.

Performance notes:
- DLSS and upscaling problems (weight 0.24): DLSS Frame Generation and Super Resolution are either broken or cause FPS drops and stuttering. Players report inconsistent performance improvements despite hardware support for these features.
- Minimal settings required for playability (weight 0.19): Even mid-range hardware struggles to run the game smoothly, forcing players to lower graphics settings to minimal levels for acceptable performance.
- HDR and display settings flaws (weight 0.18): HDR implementation causes black screens, and ultrawide displays face compatibility issues. Players must manually edit config files to adjust settings like motion blur or resolution.
- Remastered vs. original version issues (weight 0.12): The remastered version introduces performance degradation, higher GPU usage, and frame rate issues compared to the original. Players struggle to maintain 60 FPS even on identical hardware.
- Long load times and save corruption (weight 0.11): Players experience extended load times (up to 5 minutes) and occasional save file corruption, particularly in the remastered version.
- Hardware-specific stuttering (weight 0.09): AMD hardware users report persistent stuttering that persists regardless of ray tracing settings. Input lag and frame generation further exacerbate performance issues.
- Controller and input problems (weight 0.04): Controller sensitivity issues require Steam customization, and Nintendo Switch users report specific input-related bugs. Some players find workarounds with Xbox Elite controllers.

Recommendations:
- Best purchased on discount (weight 0.42): Many reviews suggest the game is overpriced at full cost but becomes a worthwhile purchase during sales (e.g., 60-75% off). This reflects its niche appeal and unpolished nature, making it a better value at lower prices.
- Target audience: Lovecraft/detective fans (weight 0.42): The game is highly recommended for fans of H.P. Lovecraft, cosmic horror, detective narratives, and psychological horror. It is positioned as a must-play for these audiences despite its flaws, offering a unique blend of investigative gameplay and Lovecraftian themes.
- Prioritize story and atmosphere (weight 0.41): The game is praised for its oppressive atmosphere, immersive world-building, and compelling narrative, especially for Lovecraftian horror fans. Players are advised to focus on these strengths rather than technical polish or combat mechanics.
- Not for action or casual players (weight 0.38): The game is explicitly not recommended for players seeking action-heavy gameplay, impatient players, or those expecting AAA-quality production. It is best suited for those who appreciate slow-paced, narrative-driven experiences.
- Quality-of-life improvements needed (weight 0.38): Players recommend several QoL changes, such as an interactive map for address-finding, faster travel options, and increased material storage capacity. These changes would reduce tedium and improve accessibility.
- Improve world interactivity (weight 0.37): Players frequently mention the need for more interactive elements, such as sitting at tables or engaging with NPCs, to enhance immersion. This feedback highlights a gap in the game's environmental design and player agency.
- Remove or simplify combat/RPG elements (weight 0.35): Combat and RPG mechanics are frequently cited as weak or unnecessary. Players suggest either removing these elements entirely or simplifying them (e.g., setting combat to Easy difficulty) to focus on the game's strengths in narrative and investigation.
- Linear or smaller scope preferred (weight 0.04): Feedback suggests the game would benefit from a tighter, more linear structure or a smaller, content-packed setting. The current open-world design is criticized for being bloated or underutilized, detracting from pacing and immersion.
- Expand detective mechanics (weight 0.02): Players express a desire for more interpretive freedom in investigations, such as varied dialogue options, consequences, and interior designs. This would enhance replayability and align with the game's core appeal as a detective experience.
- Sequel hopes for improvements (weight 0.02): Players hope for a sequel that addresses current flaws, such as improved combat, facial animations, and storytelling. This reflects a belief in the franchise's potential despite the mixed reception of the current game.
- Deluxe version or GOG purchase advised (weight 0.02): Some reviews suggest purchasing the deluxe version or buying the game on GOG instead of Steam to access missing DLC or avoid platform-specific issues. This highlights concerns about content completeness and distribution.
- Misleading marketing concerns (weight 0.02): A subset of players feel misled by trailers or marketing materials, particularly regarding the game's sunken city setting or overall polish. This feedback underscores the importance of managing player expectations.

Other player notes:
- Lovecraftian horror comparisons (weight 0.08): The game is frequently compared to other Lovecraftian horror titles like *Call of Cthulhu* and *Resident Evil*, as well as the studio's own *Sherlock Holmes* series. This positions it within a specific genre niche.
- Developer-publisher legal issues impactful (weight 0.07): The legal battle between the developer and publisher has significantly affected player trust, purchase decisions, and the game's post-launch support. This issue is frequently cited as a major concern.
- Ukrainian studio resilience noted (weight 0.06): Players express admiration for the studio's work amid external challenges, including war in Ukraine. This context adds weight to their support for the sequel and remaster.
- Unsatisfying Cthulhu-style ending (weight 0.01): The game's ending is described as clichéd or unsatisfying, particularly in its handling of Lovecraftian themes. This feedback suggests a desire for more original or impactful conclusions.
- Simplified Chinese translations inconsistent (weight 0.01): Players report inconsistent or poor-quality Simplified Chinese translations, which detracts from the experience for non-English speakers. This is a localized but recurring issue.
- Save compatibility desired (weight 0.01): Players request save file compatibility between the original and remastered versions, indicating a desire for seamless transitions or continued progress across versions.
- Content warnings for sensitive players (weight 0.01): Players highlight the need for warnings about psychological or neurological triggers in the game, emphasizing its intense or disturbing themes.
- Xenophobia themes criticized (weight 0.01): Some players express discomfort with the game's portrayal of xenophobia toward fish-people and tentacled creatures, viewing it as problematic or poorly handled.
- Multi-platform purchases common (weight 0.01): Some players have purchased the game multiple times for different platforms or DLC, reflecting strong loyalty or a desire to support the developer despite controversies.
- Lack of children in-game noted (weight 0.01): A niche observation about the absence of children in the game's world, which some players find unusual or thematically significant.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.27): Players experience frustration primarily due to outdated, repetitive, and poorly designed combat mechanics, as well as technical issues like frequent crashes, poor optimization, and broken features (e.g., DLSS, frame generation). The game's open world is criticized for feeling empty, with repetitive fetch quests, scarce resources, and clunky traversal systems like boat mechanics or lack of jump options, which disrupt immersion and gameplay flow.
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Disappointment stems from the game failing to meet expectations set by its Lovecraftian premise, with players citing superficial storytelling, repetitive gameplay loops, and underdeveloped mechanics (e.g., sanity system, skill tree). Technical issues like poor optimization, crashes, and unfulfilled promises (e.g., underwater sections, meaningful choices) further exacerbate the sense of wasted potential and unmet hype.
- Appreciation (weight 0.09): Players appreciate the game's strong Lovecraftian atmosphere, immersive world-building, and attention to detail in storytelling and environmental design. The remaster's improvements, such as ray tracing and free upgrades for existing owners, are also praised, along with the game's authentic handling of cosmic horror themes and its ambitious narrative scope.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfaction arises from the game's engaging narrative, morally complex choices, and rewarding detective mechanics, which compensate for technical flaws. Players highlight the improved remaster, quality-of-life updates, and the game's ability to deliver a cohesive Lovecraftian experience with strong voice acting, atmospheric side quests, and a sense of discovery despite its shortcomings.
- Immersion (weight 0.05): The game's rich Lovecraftian atmosphere, oppressive environmental storytelling, and attention to detail in world-building create a deeply immersive experience. Players are drawn into the dark, decadent setting through strong narrative elements, moral choices, and the game's ability to evoke dread and emotional weight, especially in the remastered version.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment is derived from the game's enigmatic storytelling, investigative freedom, and atmospheric art direction. Players appreciate the open-ended mystery-solving mechanics, side quests with unique narratives (e.g., the witch quest), and the game's ability to evoke nostalgia or curiosity through its Lovecraftian themes and immersive world.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement is generated by the game's horror elements, engaging detective gameplay, and its ability to exceed expectations in blending genres. Players are particularly thrilled by the Lovecraftian lore, unique enemy designs, and the remaster's technical improvements, which enhance immersion and replayability, especially for fans of cosmic horror.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement comes from the game's quirky, janky, or unintentionally humorous moments, such as Eldritch-themed combat with unconventional weapons (e.g., shovel), absurd enemy behaviors, or peculiar NPC interactions. These elements add a layer of charm and unpredictability, fitting the game's offbeat Lovecraftian tone.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Players express hope for improvements in potential sequels, better optimization (e.g., Steam Deck compatibility), and future content updates. The anticipation for a more polished and expanded experience, along with appreciation for the developers' efforts, fuels this emotion despite the game's current flaws.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is driven by the game's strong narrative, reflective choices, and atmospheric world, which pull players into its Lovecraftian mysteries. The interplay between story immersion, moral dilemmas, and investigative gameplay keeps players invested, even when technical issues arise.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Disgust is triggered by the game's poor animations, depressing narrative choices, and overwhelmingly grimy, decaying city design. Some players also feel repelled by the sound mixing, which ruins voice acting, or the developers' perceived overconfidence in the game's quality despite its flaws.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom arises from repetitive gameplay loops, shallow mechanics, and unengaging interactions, such as irrelevant dialogue or overly extended fetch quests. Poor visuals (e.g., lifeless HDR) and lack of variety in missions or environments further contribute to a sense of monotony and disinterest.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's Lovecraftian themes, references to classic horror works, and atmospheric elements reminiscent of older titles like *Silent Hill* or *Deadly Premonition*. Players who enjoy the Cthulhu mythos or retro horror aesthetics find the game's setting and tone deeply resonant.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Fear is instilled through the game's pervasive Lovecraftian horror, including jump scares, oppressive atmosphere, and monstrous enemies lurking in the city. The sanity mechanic, eerie music, and diving missions (for thalassophobic players) amplify the sense of dread and psychological unease.
- Curiosity (weight 0.01): Curiosity is sparked by the game's engaging narrative, Lovecraftian mysteries, and multiple endings, which encourage players to uncover secrets and explore the world. The game's unique blend of detective work and cosmic horror also piques interest in the developer's other projects or similar titles.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm stems from the game's immersive Lovecraftian themes, engaging gameplay, and the potential for sequels or replayability. Players express excitement about the game's depth, willingness to replay it, and anticipation for future content or improvements in the series.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Discomfort arises from the game's disorienting mechanics, such as the sanity system's screen distortions, fisheye lens effects during combat, or motion sickness-inducing perspectives. These technical flaws, combined with cringe-worthy narrative moments, create an unpleasant or nauseating experience for some players.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by technical issues (e.g., motion blur, controller sensitivity), poor visibility due to color filters, and tedious mechanics like evidence collection or stiff animations. The game's bugs, clunky controls, and repetitive tasks (e.g., dealing with shady characters) also contribute to this emotion.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is directed at the game's poor design choices, false advertising (e.g., misleading trailers), and unplayable technical state (e.g., crashes, broken features). Players feel betrayed by the gap between expectations and reality, especially when the game is rendered unplayable due to fatal errors.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed for the developers' efforts in improving the game, such as offering free remasters, adding language support (e.g., Turkish subtitles), or enhancing localization (e.g., Japanese). Players also appreciate the studio's commitment to addressing technical issues and expanding accessibility.}