As a part of at the moment’s Xbox Associate Preview, Ukrainian developer Frogwares has revealed The Sinking Metropolis 2, sequel to their 2019 title. It’s set to launch in 2025.

The trailer saying the sport depicts a brand new protagonist battling towards Deep Ones earlier than being hit by a ghost practice and getting transported to its inside. He sits down throughout from a crying girl. Issues resolve they weren’t creepy sufficient, and immediately the practice is a bit worse for put on. A former inmate steps as much as say hello, and the protagonist drops his commonplace challenge horror flashlight, however manages to flee out the rear of the practice. He finds himself in metropolis streets, turns round, and sees an unspeakable horror towering into the sky.

To be trustworthy, the trailer doesn’t actually promote the Lovecraftian horror angle. The Sinking Metropolis was one thing of a follow-up to Lovecraft’s The Shadow of Innsmouth. It did a fairly good job of capturing the ambiance of unknowable horror. The trailer right here seems extra like Silent Hill, which, admittedly, might be simpler to promote. Right here’s hoping that they’ll pull off the identical feat.

Right here be monsters

Whereas the trailer doesn’t inform us a lot past “right here be monsters” there are a bit extra particulars past that. The Sinking Metropolis 2 will happen in Lovecraft’s central fictional metropolis of Arkham throughout the Twenties. It’s unsure if it occurred earlier than or after the occasions of The Sinking Metropolis, which happened in Oakmont, additionally throughout the Twenties. I really feel like if it occurred earlier than, somebody within the first recreation would have talked about it. Nevertheless, it’s mentioned that this shall be a “stand-alone story separate from the one advised within the unique recreation.”

The press launch additionally places heavy emphasis on fight, which was one of many weaker features of the primary recreation. In addition they say that the investigation facet is optionally available. They elaborate by saying that gamers who select to research will uncover secrets and techniques and “consciousness of choices” which will inform their selections. Nevertheless, it gained’t be essential to progress.

The really crime scene investigation in The Sinking Metropolis wasn’t nice, however the deduction vital for among the sidequests was. Nevertheless, having to truly take into consideration the place it is advisable to go subsequent isn’t one thing that occurs usually in trendy recreation design. It could be a disgrace to see it exorcised.

In gentle of the Russian invasion of their dwelling nation, Frogwares may also be launching a Kickstarter in hopes of constructing a “security internet” that can help the developer in functioning throughout the battle. They did the identical with their earlier recreation, Sherlock Holmes: The Woke up, which raised €252,599 and allowed them to navigate the difficulties of growing throughout an ongoing invasion.

The Sinking Metropolis 2 is at present slated to launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Collection X|S someday in 2025.