The Sinking City

 Xbox One
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 69
  3. Negative: 23 out of 69
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  1. Xbox_Alive
    Jun 28, 2019
    9
    The Sinking City is a deeply immersive and compelling story line that rides like Sherlock Holmes was written by H.P. Lovecraft keeps The Sinking City afloat. You play as Charles Reed, an Ex-Marine gone Private Eye from Boston, on his own investigation to find the source of his deeply disturbing visions, and dreams, to find secluded Oakmont, a place plagued with problems all seeminglyThe Sinking City is a deeply immersive and compelling story line that rides like Sherlock Holmes was written by H.P. Lovecraft keeps The Sinking City afloat. You play as Charles Reed, an Ex-Marine gone Private Eye from Boston, on his own investigation to find the source of his deeply disturbing visions, and dreams, to find secluded Oakmont, a place plagued with problems all seemingly connected to the images that hunt his mind. The game quickly dives into Charles' unique gift that gives him an edge over other sleuths, but has it's drawbacks on his sanity. The game play focuses on Investigation and Deduction, placing you in some dark situations where neither path feels right. Though not focused on Combat, there are many harrowing situations, you will draw your gun for. The stunning visuals, and intensely gloomy atmosphere combine to create a gripping environment, riddled with clues to discover, and dangers, most of the time, best avoided. Find the clues, then deduce their connections, and meanings to solve cases, and make morally deep decisions that could impact everyone in Oakmont, maybe the world. Think like a gumshoe and utilize the Library, Town Hall, and News Paper to help you find people and places in this half sunken place, where 'Newcomers' aren't usually welcome. A Deep, Gritty, and Heavy story I highly recommend for anyone that enjoys H.P Lovecraft, or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's works.… Expand
  2. SenorFuzzeh
    Jul 20, 2019
    10
    This game is so worth your time and attention. It's cast of characters are uniquely original, the plot all weaves together in an surprising way,and each quest is actually interesting. Seriously, I play so many games these days and I hardly know what the hell I'm doing or why. Destiny I'm literally just shooting people and no one seems to give a **** why. It baffles me that games likeThis game is so worth your time and attention. It's cast of characters are uniquely original, the plot all weaves together in an surprising way,and each quest is actually interesting. Seriously, I play so many games these days and I hardly know what the hell I'm doing or why. Destiny I'm literally just shooting people and no one seems to give a **** why. It baffles me that games like Assassins Creed still pump out 8-9 scores yet original pieces of work like this game get **** on for being buggy and graphically outdated. You know who else puts out buggy and graphically outed games, yet still has interesting story and characters? Bethesda.

    Seriously, I can't stress how good this game is if you're willing to look passed its flaws. The horror elements are genuinely spooky, the combat can be really intense, and I loved, loved, loved the idea of this sort of "paranormal investigator" the game makes you feel like you are. There really isn't another game like this and it's a shame so many people are sweeping it under the rug.

    It's far from perfect, but damn if I didn't have more fun than I've had playing most games this year. I enjoyed it about as much as I did The Witcher 3.

    My only real complaint is some of the side quests are dull as heck, but you can skip those. There's two worth doing and you'll know which ones those are. The rest are just fetch quests.    … Expand
  3. IliyaKiller
    Sep 19, 2020
    10
    Super immersive and gorgeous graphics, fun mysteries, 10/10 very impressed by a game this quality by small devs
  4. Warrenator1707
    Oct 3, 2020
    2
    More like the stinking city. Tried so hard to like this game after I waited in anticipation for it to come out as I had enjoyed call of Cthulhu previously. Sadly this does not live up to the hype. Graphics look like they were done in the mid 2000's, voice acting is laughable and the controls are so bad that I quickly lost interest in this game. Most of the building layouts are exactly theMore like the stinking city. Tried so hard to like this game after I waited in anticipation for it to come out as I had enjoyed call of Cthulhu previously. Sadly this does not live up to the hype. Graphics look like they were done in the mid 2000's, voice acting is laughable and the controls are so bad that I quickly lost interest in this game. Most of the building layouts are exactly the same, NPC's all come out with the same lines when threatened or knocked into and the enemies have been so badly programmed that it becomes funny rather than scary. Usually I like to finish a game before I leave it a review but I got to around the fourth mission and realised I was getting more enjoyment out of clipping my toenails. Avoid this people, its ****… Expand
  5. C3lticIdanord
    Feb 23, 2021
    4
    I honestly wanted to give this game a higher rating based on the lore that it has coming from H.P. Lovecraft, however, I am unable to. There are so many problems with this game on a technical level from NPC popping in at random to falling through world objects and the player getting stuck in boats. The main character has a dead eye look to him that makes him feel lifeless. The modelingI honestly wanted to give this game a higher rating based on the lore that it has coming from H.P. Lovecraft, however, I am unable to. There are so many problems with this game on a technical level from NPC popping in at random to falling through world objects and the player getting stuck in boats. The main character has a dead eye look to him that makes him feel lifeless. The modeling done in the game makes no sense with the size of some of the doors in comparison to the character. Over all it feels odd and doesn't draw the user into the game at all from my perspective. There are some redeeming factors mainly being that the lore is based and inspired by Lovecraft. Even with that it isn't enough to save this game from the boring characters. If this developer decides to expand on the franchise I hope they focus more on things making sense with height ratios. As well, if they are able to make a more compelling story along with characters that are more full of life.… Expand
  6. surtor
    Jun 26, 2019
    10
    As for AA game without 10005000$ budget this game a really good. I have a question to narration and open world. But, generally it is totally worth to buy.
  7. MXChampagnepapi
    Jun 25, 2019
    9
    Verdaderamente bueno y desafiante a la hora de investigar con buenas mecánicas, aunque un poco flojo en la fluides de los movimientos de los personajes.
  8. Broyax
    Mar 6, 2021
    1
    Un jeu bizarre et bien étrange qui suinte évidemment de partout son ambiance glauque très inspirée de l’univers monstrueux et paranoïaque du célèbre écrivain Lovecraft… ici dans un monde ouvert, une ville d’emblée trop grande dont on se lasse rapidement… et dans laquelle on aime pas se déplacer ni errer… comme un pauvre hère de détective privé à la godille !

    En effet, l’exploration est    Un jeu bizarre et bien étrange qui suinte évidemment de partout son ambiance glauque très inspirée de l’univers monstrueux et paranoïaque du célèbre écrivain Lovecraft… ici dans un monde ouvert, une ville d’emblée trop grande dont on se lasse rapidement… et dans laquelle on aime pas se déplacer ni errer… comme un pauvre hère de détective privé à la godille !

    En effet, l’exploration est laborieuse et lente, la ville est vide et tout se ressemble ou presque. Il existe théoriquement des points de « voyage rapide » mais impossible de comprendre commen ça marche… ce qui amène aux soucis d’interface, nombreux, car ici tout a été pensé pour être strictement contraire à l’intuition plus ou moins intuitive… aussi ne faut-il pas s’étonner de se retrouver bloqué dans la progression de l’enquête, soit en raison d’un bug, soit parce qu’on a loupé un indice capital.

    Le système d’enquête lui-même est tout foireux, le jeu piquant et repiquant des mécaniques d’autres jeux mais réassemblées ici par ses soins en un merdier particulièrement foutraque. Les combats sont assez problématiques, autant par la maniabilité risible que par l’imprécision générale ainsi que l’animation d’un autre âge du personnage : il s’agit clairement d’un TPS totalement raté à ces égards.

    En outre, les monstres sont étonnamment costauds alors que les munitions restent incroyablement rares ! Néanmoins, le jeu n’est pas trop vilain malgré des textures pauvres et un manque de détails flagrant alors qu’à l’insu de son plein gré, il tourne à 60 im/s sur console ! en fait, il fait partie de ces jeux non bloqués à 30 im/s comme ils devraient l’être ; il tourne donc comme une patate sauf lorsque la console est assez puissante pour assurer le framerate maximal, ce qui est le cas sur la Series X !

    A noter une VF intégrale pas mal faite également… mais malheureusement, ça sent le jeu non maîtrisé et bordélique qui s’est éparpillé en cours de développement ; ce monde ouvert trop grand est une erreur et d’un autre côté les mécaniques sclérosées du jeu sont désespérément bâclées, ce qui donne finalement un jeu merdique, ennuyeux et lourdingue.    … Expand
  9. GamerGuysNGals
    Jul 6, 2019
    6
    "The Sinking City"
    Reviewed by: Carless Yen
    Developer: Frogwares Published: Big Ben Interactive Platforms: Xbox, PS4,Switch, Windows First off I will say sorry there is no video to go with this. I try to do them every time now so people can get a visual feel for the title. Some reason though the game developer doesn't allow their videos to be uploaded to Xbox Live or Upload studio    "The Sinking City"
    Reviewed by: Carless Yen
    Developer: Frogwares
    Published: Big Ben Interactive
    Platforms: Xbox, PS4,Switch, Windows

    First off I will say sorry there is no video to go with this. I try to do them every time now so people can get a visual feel for the title. Some reason though the game developer doesn't allow their videos to be uploaded to Xbox Live or Upload studio so written is all you guys will be getting.
    This is a action adventure mystery title brought to you by the guys that did the Sherlock Holmes titles. So your getting the same type of game where your choices matter, and where your deep into a mystery that keeps you thinking the entire time. It's inspired by Lovecraft which has been very common in videogames here lately. This how ever is one of the most fun of those I've played to date. You play as Charles Reed a private Investigator and War veteran, and your trying to find out about these weird visions and dreams you been having. You head to Oakmont a town recently flooded, and full of strange happenings. Soon as you get there your rushed into a case. Like Sherlock Holmes you have special abilities to see things regular people wouldn't, and put the clues together. it is fun using these skills, and I enjoyed solving the mysteries.
    Another thing you will notice right off the bat is the games really creepy atmosphere, and wonderful characters and voice acting. The town really looks like it's seen a disaster, and really looks lived in. It's open world, and the map is pretty large. The traveling system is unique because you have to travel between sections of land because of the floods. A lot of the places you must go is on water, and you use a small engine john boat to get between the areas. You are actually in the boat a lot , because most of the places are under water. I understand that it was flooded , and that goes into that but I get's old driving the boat so much. If It was a little less I would have enjoyed it more I think. It got repetitive. Yes there is fast travel by finding phone booths.(Those are phones that are outdoors for the public for any one that wasn't around for those) They just aren't always easy to find. I wish they were marked on the map so I'm not running around areas I don't need to looking for them.
    You craft your own bullets , and health by items you find searching. The only thing is your better off melee everything because it seems stronger then the bullets. I always felt like i didn't have enough ammunition, and like my weapons were under powered. I get that that can add to the horror of it not having enough ammo, and being under attack. When you swing a shovel like Thor swings a hammer it really doesn't make you worry any. I wish I could have had more ammo, and a gun that actually felt good to shoot. The combat really dropped the ball as far as I'm concerned. Which sucks because the story, the characters, and the environment all are amazing. It takes off from the start, but just gets really stale. It's not bad, but it just gets really boring, and after awhile I was just wanting to be playing some thing else. The traveling and just glitches really started to annoy me. I got stuck under docks with my boat many times, stuck inside of areas of houses, and stuck in quests, because people that were supposed be there weren't.
    I hate saying negative things about this game, because at first I really enjoyed it. The first few hours were a blast. The first part of the island I was really enjoying myself, but when I was able to advance things started going down hill for me. To be honest I'm actually stuck at about the 8 hour mark, because my game saved on a part where I'm stuck in the environment, and no way i want to start over.
    So is it for you? It could be if you enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes games like I did. I love them I own them all. Just don't expect the exact same experience.

    Pros: Creepy and Wonderful Atmosphere
    The Environments look worn down and lived in
    Great characters and voice acting
    Puzzle solving and finding clues is enjoyable

    Cons: Very Buggy
    Horrible Combat
    Traveling and Game grows Stale.

    Overall: 6.0 The Sinking City takes off from the jump delivering a lot of fun and puzzle solving and then loses it's appeal as the combat and traveling around the map increases.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2019
16
#16 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The Digital Fix
    Sep 12, 2019
    70
    The Sinking City is an intriguing game that is sadly let down by its many glitches and lifeless combat.
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  2. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Aug 8, 2019
    50
    Without the sharply deduced cases or clear focus of Crimes & Punishments, Frogwares’ latest is a damp squib of a detective. Though its open-world city has a grimy appeal, and the odd “ah-hah!” moment satisfies, this snoop is sunk by its own uneven, outstretched ambition. [Issue#180, p.77]
  3. ZTGD
    Aug 8, 2019
    80
    The Sinking City is a fine game that is only brought down by the scale of the world. A smaller, more compact city with more unique assets would have gone a long way to reduce my issues with gameplay and maybe even the technical issues. When the only benefit to exploring an area with monsters and killing them is supplies that I need to shoot more monsters, I question why that is there and why I had to walk four blocks to get there. This is also Frogwares’ first foray into an open world title and maybe their next title will fix these issues. Regardless, The Sinking City is a great game that I am sure will become a cult hit, especially when it makes its way to Steam next year.
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