Casual sleuths, literature lovers, and fans of the supernatural, this one’s for you. The Sinking City is a modern cult classic set in the 1920s, inspired by the works of horror master H.P. Lovecraft. Playing as private investigator Charles W. Reed, you prowl the flooding streets of Oakmont to find out the cause of the terrifying visions you’ve been having.

The game’s graphics masterfully capture the essence of Lovecraftian horror. The decaying city — eternally raining — with its twisted architecture is plagued with an oppressive atmosphere, unsettling human-creature hybrids, terrifying monsters, and rampant immorality. The open world lets you explore the city at your own pace, testing the investigative skills that your journey depends on.

While we wish Reed was more interactive, the loop of investigation is genuinely engaging. You piece together clues from crime scene examinations, interrogations, and mind-palace reconstructions, and your skills and decisions influence the cases and overall story. At the end of each chapter, you’re faced with a moral dilemma. The right decision isn’t always the one in favor of the greater good.

? Rating: Mostly positive reviews on Steam at 78%.

⌛ Hours of gameplay: 15-20 hours to complete the main story, 30-40 with side quests.

? Platforms: Steam for PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Playstation.

? Price: Standard version retails for USD 23.99 on Steam, and USD 49.99 on Nintendo, Playstation, and Xbox. The deluxe version can be found for USD 53.15 on Steam, USD 64.99 on Nintendo, and USD 59.99 on Xbox and Playstation.

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