The Sinking City 2
Holy shit...this game is terrifying so far, and nothing like I expected it to be (in the best possible way). I'm only a bit over an hour into it (just reached the restricted section of the library) and I'm finding myself genuinely scared in a way I haven't felt from a game since I played Silent Hill 2 remake for the first time, or Alan Wake 2 before that. Im jumping at every noise, inching my way through the dark coiled tight for an enemy (I don't know what they're called yet) to jump up out of nowhere.
If you played the first one like me, and expected this to be exactly like it, also like me, it's really not so far. The first game wasnt exactly scary. It was more creepy, and weird, but I didn't find myself actually scared too often unless I was walking through one of the infested areas. It felt more like a horror themed adventure/detective game, and I loved that about it.
I know only being a bit past the opening is a little early to be singing a games praises and be recommending it to others, but honestly I think I'm pretty safe in saying you guys need to check this one out.
It's not perfect, there are some small audio issues like the "slithering" sound of the piles worms still playing even if you crush them them all. And the flashlight will turn on facing away from Calvin I you click the button while his looking into the camera (I'm playing on ps5). I can absolutely get past those things, and I expect they'll be fixed in future updates anyway. So far my one honest complaint is that the gunfire lacks a bit weight to it. Also, the "quality" mode for the graphics seems to have a borderline unplayable framerate even indoors, but the "performance" mode is my usual preference anyways, and that works perfectly as far as I've seen, so that's not really a problem for me. This one might not be a problem for anyone but me, but the sound of doors closing behind you/after you open them is way too intense sometimes, it sounds like an enemy you haven't seen yet, or something and has made me jump out of my seat more than once.
Overall though I just felt so excited by what I've experienced so far that I had to make a post to tell someone how awesome this game is so far. Im so surprised at how different it is from the first game. I really was looking forward to it having the same feel that first had, but I'm not at all disappointed that it doesn't because it is so uniquely interesting, and actually scary. Although, I could just be too early, and once the game opens up more of that first game feel will return. Either way I'm loving it. If you were on the fence about this one I have to urge you to check it out. I promise you won't be sorry.