As of now, The Sinking City 2—the long-anticipated sequel to the 2019 atmospheric horror and investigative RPG developed by Frogwares—has not been officially released, and no confirmed "initial version" has been made public. However, based on available information, rumors, and developer commentary up to 2024, here's a speculative yet informed look at what the initial version of The Sinking City 2 might have entailed—based on expectations, development history, and pre-release leaks. 1. Setting and Atmosphere: A Darker, More Confined City Location: The sequel is expected to return to the fictional, Lovecraftian-inspired city of Oakmont (formerly known as The Sinking City), but now more deeply corrupted by eldritch horrors and societal decay. Visual Design: Early concept art and developer sketches suggest a more oppressive and surreal environment—cracks spreading through the city’s foundations, shifting architecture, and an ever-present sense of dread. The water levels may have risen further, submerging new districts and creating more claustrophobic, labyrinthine interiors. Tone: A deeper dive into psychological horror, with themes of madness, memory, and identity. The city itself might feel sentient or cursed, reacting to the player’s choices. 2. Narrative & Structure: A Nonlinear, Branching Story Protagonist: The original game followed Charles Reed, a private investigator with a troubled past. The sequel may follow a new character—possibly a descendant of Reed, a former ally, or someone drawn into the city’s mysteries due to a supernatural event. Story: Early drafts suggest a narrative centered on a "forgotten god" returning, tied to the city’s founding myths. The story may involve fractured timelines, unreliable narrators, and dream sequences that blur reality. Player Agency: Emphasis on branching dialogue, moral ambiguity, and consequences that ripple across multiple story arcs—similar to the original, but more complex. 3. Gameplay: Evolution of the Formula Investigation: Enhanced detective mechanics with new tools like dream-walking, spectral analysis, and forensic rituals to uncover hidden truths. Combat: More tactical, with a focus on stealth, environmental hazards, and using the city’s supernatural elements against enemies. Melee and ranged options return, but with a greater emphasis on avoiding direct confrontation. Sanity System: Refined and more impactful. Sanity loss may now affect perception in real time—walls breathing, NPCs morphing, or time looping in dangerous zones. 4. Technical & Design Challenges (Based on Development Rumors) Engine: Built on Unreal Engine 5, but early builds reportedly suffered from performance issues, long load times, and unstable physics—particularly in water and environmental destruction sequences. Early Builds (2023–2024): Leaks from internal testers and early access participants suggest the initial version had: Janky animations in cutscenes. Quest logic bugs, such as NPCs disappearing after key dialogue. Unbalanced difficulty, with some encounters feeling unfairly punishing. Underdeveloped tutorial systems, leaving new players overwhelmed. 5. Reception & Developer Response Player Feedback: Early demos at events like Gamescom 2023 and Steam Next Fest 2024 received mixed reactions. Fans praised the atmosphere and writing but criticized technical flaws and pacing issues. Frogwares’ Stance: The team has acknowledged early version shortcomings, promising a "content-rich launch" with post-release patches and DLC. They emphasized "true to the spirit of the original" but also "evolved" storytelling. 6. What Might Be Fixed in the Final Release? Optimization: Major performance improvements, especially on consoles. Quest Flow: Streamlined objectives and clearer quest markers. Narrative Clarity: Better exposition and more intuitive branching paths. New Features: Possibly a "sanity journal," side investigation mini-quests, and a companion system (though not confirmed). Final Thoughts: While the initial version of The Sinking City 2 (if it were to launch in a pre-polished state) might have suffered from technical hiccups and narrative inconsistencies, it would likely have retained the core strengths of the original: a richly written, deeply unsettling atmosphere, and a commitment to existential horror. The early build would have been a promising but flawed foundation—more "work in progress" than final product. Bottom Line: Fans should expect a return to the eerie, dreamlike dread of the first game, but with more ambition, risk, and a few growing pains. The true test will be how well Frogwares addresses early issues and delivers a cohesive, haunting experience that honors its legacy. ⚠️ Note: As of now, The Sinking City 2 has not officially launched. All details are based on rumors, developer interviews, and early gameplay footage. Always wait for official confirmation before assuming final features.