For fans of story-driven RPGs steeped in cosmic dread, few experiences compare to wandering the flooded streets of Oakmont in The Sinking City. With Frogwares dropping a surprise remaster built in Unreal Engine 5, this cult Lovecraftian adventure is making a stunning comeback – just in time to set the stage for its long-awaited sequel.
Set in a brooding, alternate-history 1920s, The Sinking City follows a hard-boiled private investigator unraveling supernatural mysteries across a city beset by madness and flooding. Much like recent narrative juggernauts such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and South of Midnight, Frogwares’ title thrives on player-driven investigation, layered storytelling, and choices that twist the path through the game’s haunted world.
Unlike some noir detectives, you won’t always find a clear path or single solution. The open investigation structure lets you piece together evidence, interrogate the increasingly deranged locals, and choose your own route through Oakmont’s mysteries. The remaster keeps this freedom intact, but polishes the journey with sharper environments and smoother gameplay. The addition of a robust photo mode is a bonus for digital sleuths eager to capture their creepiest findings.
Of course, Oakmont is crawling with nightmarish foes – and the new version makes their twisted forms more grotesque than ever. Combat remains tense and scrappy, as you fend off corrupted townsfolk and cosmic horrors with period firearms. While The Sinking City has never leaned as hard into combat as pure survival horror titles, the remaster’s gameplay tweaks and improved visuals make confrontations more impactful.
Accessibility hasn’t been forgotten, either. Frogwares has added new settings aimed at making Oakmont’s mysteries more approachable, though the core experience still leans into investigative challenge over hand-holding. Longtime fans will appreciate the faithfulness to the original’s unsettling vibe, while newcomers can enjoy a smoother entry point.
Value-wise, Frogwares has set the remaster’s launch price at $19.99/£18.50 until May 19, a tempting offer for fresh and returning players alike. Best of all, Steam users who already own The Sinking City can upgrade for free — a rare gesture in today’s remake-happy landscape. It’s a shrewd move, likely to rekindle interest before the sequel’s arrival.
While this is primarily a visual overhaul — don’t expect a radically reimagined story — The Sinking City remaster is a strong example of how older narrative RPGs can be revived for modern hardware without losing their identity. With its atmosphere now matching its ambition, Oakmont’s mysteries beckon anew.
TL;DR: The Sinking City resurfaces with a surprise Unreal Engine 5 remaster, offering a 4K visual upgrade, gameplay tweaks, new accessibility options, and a generous free upgrade for prior owners — all available now on Steam at a discount for a limited time.
Source: Frogwares via GamesPress