The Sinking City

 PlayStation 4
The Sinking City Image
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 207 Ratings

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  • Summary: 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 hasThe 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.… Expand
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The Sinking City - Detective Gameplay Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 35
  3. Negative: 3 out of 35
  1. COGconnected
    Jun 25, 2019
    84
    The Sinking City is paradoxically teeming with life and things to do while atmospherically making you feel alone and unsafe. The revamped investigation systems rely on your own powers of deduction and the combat is both tense and nerve-wracking. Save for the graphical issues, The Sinking City is heart-pounding, unrelenting, and addictive. Its powers of immersion and fear are not to be overlooked, and fans of eldritch horror, Cthulhu, and things that go bump in the night will definitely be satisfied playing in the dark.
  2. CGMagazine
    Jun 25, 2019
    80
    The Sinking City struggles under the weight of its ambition, but it’s compelling mysteries and horrific world make it a compelling journey.
  3. TrueGaming
    Jun 26, 2019
    75
    Besides the primitive battle system and the technical shortcomings, The Sinking City is a solid investigation experience with a compelling story that provides hours of case solving.
  4. InsideGamer.nl
    Jul 19, 2019
    67
    The Sinking City is a fun game, but to really enjoy it there is a lot you'll have to put up with. Maybe that will be solved in the future, but at the moment the only thing that really saves this game is the amazing influence of Lovecraft.
  5. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jul 30, 2019
    60
    Weaves Lovecraftian mythos into an interesting setting. But it frequently veers into being dull and repetitive, which isn’t what you want from dreamlike horror. [Issue#165, p.89]
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  6. Gamers Heroes
    Jun 27, 2019
    60
    Those invested in the Cthulhu mythos might be interested in the tale found in The Sinking City, but most others should wait until the game is patched.
  7. GameSpot
    Jun 25, 2019
    30
    It's hard to resent a game as unapologetically dweeby as The Sinking City. It's an old-fashioned, bookish mystery rooted in the mythology and mysteries of a pulpy, cult-favorite mid-century American novelist--an effort not without charm, to be sure. But no matter how fond your affection for H.P. Lovecraft and the idea of a wide-eyed, slow-burn literary adventure, the poor design, cliched writing, and lumbering pace make this far more tedious than delightful, let alone unsettling or terrifying.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 46
  3. Negative: 7 out of 46
  1. Spmillican
    Jun 26, 2019
    10
    I can’t believe how low the reviews are for this game! I have played it, non-stop, for the last three days, and I popped on here to see howI can’t believe how low the reviews are for this game! I have played it, non-stop, for the last three days, and I popped on here to see how close to 100 it was. I love this game!! I am not a huge Lovecraft fan, but I am very thankful I bought this game without looking at the reviews. This game takes chances, and it definitely takes some getting used to, but I am so glad to see a game that doesn’t just copy Far Cry or The Last of Us.… Expand
  2. Hologram
    Jun 29, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Sinking City takes steps into genre-refreshing territory in order to set it apart from its Lovecraftian peers. Where 2018’s Call of Cthulhu tries to carve out a small space to tell its own stand-alone story that tucked itself into the already existing cosmic lore, The Sinking City feels like it’s picking up eight movies into a Lovecraft cinematic Cthu-niverse, delivering a concentrated dose of its distinctive flavor. The first five minutes introduce the protagonist, Charles Reed, to Mister Robert Throgmorton, an important character who appears to be half-ape, half-human. That’s a deep-cut reference to Lovecraft’s short story, "Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and His Family." This is quickly followed up by a run-in with the Innsmouthers, who are basically fish people from another novella. It pulls from so many of Lovecraft’s plots, quotes, and themes that it reverently captures the intrigue and interest from these pulpy stories while combining them in a new way. It inspires political and criminal intrigue amidst its true-to-genre story.… Expand
  4. Nikita20
    Oct 25, 2019
    9
    Good good good good Good good good goodGood good good good Good good good good Good good good good Good good good good Good good goodGood good good good Good good good goodGood good good good Good good good good Good good good good Good good good good Good good good goodGood good good good Good good good good Good good good good… Expand
  5. Wackaloon
    Feb 3, 2020
    8
    Interesting detective mechanic, not so bad action part. Really cool stories and quests. Worth checking if you like other Lovecraftian gamesInteresting detective mechanic, not so bad action part. Really cool stories and quests. Worth checking if you like other Lovecraftian games and stories, this one has really good Lovecraftian atmosphere.… Expand
  6. Aryann
    Oct 16, 2019
    8
    Game is much better than the rviews tell you. If you like Lovecraft there is nothing to think about -just buy. I had great time with thisGame is much better than the rviews tell you. If you like Lovecraft there is nothing to think about -just buy. I had great time with this title and even made a platinum trophy out of it.… Expand
  7. mynameiscalled
    Apr 25, 2022
    7
    Amazing game!

    Loved my playthrough, the overall vibe of the game is amazing, that is, of course, if you are a fan of anything Lovecraft.    Amazing game!

    Loved my playthrough, the overall vibe of the game is amazing, that is, of course, if you are a fan of anything Lovecraft.

    Sadly, there are setbacks as well - I personally hated the overall combat mechanic of the game - felt really clunky and not very enjoyable, but everything else was very fun! I do have to wonder why the cinematics felt so low resolution/quality but it's not a really big turn off.
    Would most definitely recommend this game to anybody who's into horror-noir detective movies/games.    … Expand
  8. Zakis1991
    Jul 8, 2022
    0
    Очень скучно, город мертвый, звук отвратительно проработан в игре, не говоря уже о РПГ состовляющей. Скучные перестрелки, скучныеОчень скучно, город мертвый, звук отвратительно проработан в игре, не говоря уже о РПГ состовляющей. Скучные перестрелки, скучные расследование, прокачка тоже такая себе... короче не рекомендую, если только вы не фанат Лавкрафта. Лор шикарный, но геймплей...… Expand

See all 46 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019
71
#71 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2019

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