Experience a world of creeping madness and eldritch monstrosity
Attention all H.P. Lovecraft fans! You are in luck, because there’s a new Lovecraftian-based video game releasing this year. The Sinking City is an open world, investigative game set in a Lovecraftian world.
Get ready to test your sanity, because Frogwares is releasing this game on June 27, 2019.
Here are 10 interesting facts about The Sinking City that you need to know.
10. The Sinking City Dives Straight Into The Cthulhu Mythos
Experience the rich, chilling entities of the Cthulhu Mythos
The lore surrounding the game is based heavily on H.P. Lovecraft’s literary works known as the “Cthulhu Mythos”. This means you will face many tentacled, eldritch monstrosities while exploring the world. This also means questioning your very existence and maybe -- just maybe -- going a bit mad.
The developers have also made it clear that The Sinking City is not just a recreation of one of Lovecraft’s stories. Rather, they drew from Lovecraft’s works to craft an entirely new story that is just set in the same universe.
9. Open World Investigation
Interact with intriguing NPCs to progress the story and gather clues
The Sinking City will be an open world, open investigation game. Frogwares has been known for their well-made Sherlock Holmes games in the past, so you know that you can look forward to the investigation in this game.
You are entirely free to roam, finding clues and making queries everywhere you go. You will talk to inhabitants, seemingly more fish than human, and occasionally run into an enemy.
8. Testing Your Sanity
Come face to face with blood curdling monstrosities
The game will employ an insanity mechanic that affects your character as he encounters the horrors in the game. It will affect gameplay and your characters overall mental state, meaning it will matter how you go about your way through the world.
Perhaps this mechanic will be similar to the one that shook us in Amnesia: The Dark Descent, another acclaimed Lovecraftian investigation game.
7. Roarin' 20s Seatown
Explore the dreary seatown of Oakmont, Massachusetts
You will play as an investigator tasked with discovering the secrets behind strange occurrences in the fictional town of Oakmont, Massachusetts, a seatown that has become more sea than town. This all takes place in the 1920s, meaning you can bet on wearing raincoats and slinging Tommyguns as you explore.
The town and its inhabitants have fallen victim to a flood of unknown causes, and as P.I. Charles W. Reed you are to find out why. Just be prepared to uncover chilling eldritch horrors in your pursuit of truth.
6. Decision-making Matters
Using all your information, make the best choices to get down to the bottom of things
There does not seem to be any hand-holding that will be going on in this game. You are placed in the open world and it is up to you to go about completing your tasks, gathering clues and knowledge, and ultimately uncovering deep, sinister secrets.
But the world does not revolve around you, and every decision you make -- from how you talk to NPCs to tasks you accept and complete -- affects the outcome of your journey.
5. The Sinking City Will Actually Include A Battle Royale Mode
Fight towering, eldritch beings from the depths of the cosmos
It has been revealed through the developers’ social media that there will be the ever-popular Battle Royale included in this game. 100 players will face off against notable Eldritch gods such as Cthulhu, Tsathoggua, Yog Sothoth, and more.
Just kidding. It sounds like a jolly time, but they were only making fun. You can, however, at least get your hopes up for a visit from our favorite octopus-squid god from the deep.
4. A Mysterious Past
Dive into your troubled history
Lead developer Sergey Oganesyan has hinted in interviews and while commentating on gameplay that our main character is not only entering a troubled place, but he has a very troubled past. It is this troubled past that leads him into Oakmont and into even more conflict.
The details of this past remain a mystery to us for now, but we are excited to uncover them as we delve into this gaming experience.
3. Psychic Powers
Use supernatural powers to learn about the world around you
Related to our character’s mysterious past is a strange ability he has. As seen in gameplay footage by Frogware’s lead developer Sergey, Charles has somehow gained the ability to see and hear the past.
This adds a flair to the investigative gameplay, allowing us to gather further clues by taking a step into the past. Though, we may not always like what we see.
2. The Sinking City pays homage to "The Shadow Over Innsmouth"
Experience a tribute to H.P. Lovecraft's brilliant works
Seemingly, the most obvious Lovecraftian work that this game drew inspiration from is “The Shadow Over Innsmouth,” the story of a man’s journey into a secluded seatown in search of his family’s roots.
What does this mean? It means shifty hotels, such as the Devil Reef hotel seen in the cinematic trailer, and encountering -- possibly even evading -- shady fish-people.
1. There Will Be Fighting
Engage in intense battles against fearsome foes
Frogware’s approach to enemies is this: fight or flight. Unlike some Lovecraftian games where your only chance for survival is to flee, The Sinking City allows you to whip out your weapon and stand your ground if you choose to do so.
Surely this will make for some thrilling encounters, but being trigger-happy could lead you to a world of hurt. To do best in Oakmont, use all the resources available to you, even if it means running from a fight.
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