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Review of The Sinking City on PS5

by Gemma Looksby Gemma Looksby photo Feb 2021
Cover image of The Sinking City on PS5
Gamefings Score: 7.5
Platform: PS5 PS5 logo
Released: 19 Feb 2021
Genre: Action-adventure, Survival horror
Developer: Frogwares
Publisher: Frogwares, Bigben Interactive

Introduction

Imagine a world where flooding isn't just an inconvenience but a lifestyle choice, and you've arrived in the murky depths of Oakmont, Massachusetts. In 'The Sinking City', you'll be knee-deep in the investigative escapades of Charles Reed, a PI with serious trust issues. It's like playing a noir detective in a Lovecraft horror novel, but with more tentacles and existential dread than you can shake a stick at (or a flashlight).

Gameplay

As you navigate Oakmont (without a life jacket), you're not just looking for clues between the flooded streets; you're investigator, cultural anthropologist, and emergency swim coach all rolled into one awkward package. This open-world game presents puzzles that extend beyond the typical fare-a keen eye is crucial as the game expects you to connect dots that quite frankly wouldn't connect for some folks even with a neon sign pointing them out. Oakmont is hauntingly beautiful and benighted in equal measures, designed with various districts each boasting its own narrative. Just when you think you're getting a hang of the mystery, a giant mutated creature might jump out and say 'boo!' (and it means business). Pro tip: don't skimp on bullets-Oakmont's economy operates on a delightful barter system where your ammo is essentially currency. If you thought haggling at a flea market was tough, just wait till you're squabbling with Wylebeasts and the locals over snacks!).

Graphics

The PS5 version of 'The Sinking City' has some seriously impressive graphics. It's akin to viewing a crucial scene from 'The Great Gatsby' through a Lovecraftian filter with swampy undertones. The lighting, character designs, and atmospheric effects all more than adequately deliver the sultry creepiness you'd hope for in a horror game. You could almost get lost in the billowing fog and dripping humidity of Oakmont-until mental breakdown strikes, of course. Drowning has never looked so stunning (pun intended).

Conclusion

Ultimately, 'The Sinking City' is a mixed bag of thrilling investigations and truly charming oddities. The ambitious storytelling will compel you to solve mysteries that bleed with atmospherics, though the convoluted puzzles may leave you feeling more confused than an NPC in a horror film. In this beautifully crafted nightmare, you might find dark humor and absurdity right alongside the dreadful mayhem. So, ready to have your sanity tested while simultaneously wanting to call up the local lifeguard? Grab your strength: 'The Sinking City' has a lot to offer-even if it does take the idea of being 'underwater' to daunting new heights.

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