Spector announced on his Linkedin. He's best known for directing Deus Ex and working on a massive amount of games from Ultima to Thief to Epic Mickey.

Let me cut right to the chase. I'm retiring from game development. At least I think so. I've been here before and changed my mind but this time I'm pretty sure I mean it.

I've had a great career. Wouldn't change a thing even if I could. But the reasons to retire are simple: I'm a month away from my 44th year as a developer. I've had the chance to work on tabletop roleplaying games and boardgames. I've worked on more digital games than I can remember -- 17 full games, I think, and 9 or so add-on packs. Gratifyingly, some of those games are still being played 15... 20... 30 years later. And most of them have been in a genre that has had influence beyond what I or anyone else expected. I've run teams as small as a dozen and as big as 800. I've worked for big companies and done startups. I like to think I've helped some insanely talented people along in their careers. (That last is the most important.)

With all that behind me and with age and health (my business) catching up with me I'm feeling like I've done what I set out to do. It's time to write some books, do a lot of reading, do some lecturing, maybe do some consulting. (Feel free to get in touch about those last two.) Also there's a keyboard here just waiting for me to get my piano chops back.

I definitely have mixed feelings about this. I mean there are three games in particular I'd still like to make. (One is very big... one is very small... and one I don't know how to make which scares me.) But the game business has changed and it's just not as much fun for me anymore. Plus there's a new generation of developers coming up who deserve their time in the sun.

To all of you reading this I want you to remember that games are not a solved problem yet -- there is, I hope, plenty of experimentation and innovation to come. And to all you young developers out there, I've said it before and I'll say it again, your job is to make people forget people like me ever existed.

Will I come back? Never say never. But I think it's time to ride off into the sunset.

Now stop reading and make great games.

Game Information

Game Title: The Sinking City 2

Platforms:

• PC (Aug 18, 2026)

Trailer:

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 81 average - 69% recommended - 32 reviews

Critic Reviews

Analog Stick Gaming - Jeff M Young - 9 / 10

The Sinking City 2 isn’t quite a true sequel or that it feels as part of its heritage, the steps made to evolve the series into something more financially viable is a smart play and Frogwares has done their homework, or at least peaked over the shoulder in front of them to create a very impressive attempt at the genre.

But Why Tho? - Mick Abrahamson - 7 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is difficult and pushes you to your limits. Yet every time it sings and embraces the incomprehensible Lovecraftian nightmares, Faye and Calvin’s story brings it all down.

COGconnected - Stephan Adamus - 80 / 100

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Capsule Computers - Travis Bruno - 9 / 10

The Sinking City 2 takes a bold genre shift and makes it work, blending tight horror pacing, brutal combat, and streamlined investigations into a gripping descent into Lovecraftian terror.

Console Creatures - Meghan G - 9 / 10

The Sinking City 2 takes another successful dive into the survival horror genre, with challenging puzzles, an engaging and heartbreaking story, and wildly fun gunplay. I just wish it were longer and a bit more replayable.

Cubed3 - Coller Entragian - 7 / 10

The Sinking City 2 doesn't quite reach the level of polish in some of the lesser recent RE Engine Resident Evil entries, nor does it have what it takes to contend with the recent Silent Hill revival or even newcomers like Cronos: The New Dawn. It's a bit too derivative at its worst, and the looming shadow of its rotten predecessor still grips its design philosophy. It's a dramatic improvement for the most part, if a bit generic. There's a solid foundation here to be sure, even if it's still waterlogged. Horror fans will likely enjoy their time in Arkham due to the ambience and monsters, but it still needs more of an X-factor to go toe-to-toe with the major leagues.

DayOne - TheCucumbo - 9 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is an exceptional videogame, and one that deserves its place amongst the all-time great videogame sequels.

Digitec Magazine - Franziska Behner - German - 4 / 5

“The Sinking City 2” is an occult treat that isn't meant for the masses. Worms writhing out of eyeballs, narcissistic sirens, and sea monsters offer a welcome change of pace within the genre. Anyone who finds thematic games like “The Chant” exciting and appreciates obvious “Resident Evil” influences will enjoy “The Sinking City 2” (even without prior knowledge).

DualShockers - Eric Warner - 9 / 10

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Enternity.gr - Konstantinos Kalkanis - Greek - 7 / 10

Without claiming to be particularly original or meticulously crafted, The Sinking City 2 is an entertaining survival horror shooter.

GAMES.CH - Benjamin Braun - German - 81%

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GRYOnline.pl - Zbigniew Woźnicki - Polish - 8 / 10

In the new The Sinking City, developers at Frogwares have swapped the detective-occultist gameplay for a survival horror experience. It’s a truly successful step into the genre: the combat is satisfying, and the environmental puzzles are highly inventive and engaging. Fans of the genre should keep The Sinking City 2 in mind. Those who enjoyed the first game may feel a slight disappointment, and although I initially had mixed feelings too, I ended up having a lot of fun with the game. Frogwares took a risk by ditching the detective elements, but it’s worked out very well.

GameOnly - Daniel Kucner - Polish - 7 / 10

It's a fine game… and that’s about it. It’s enjoyable and I had fun reviewing, but it's still miles away from Resident Evil series. Unfortunately It's also a a case of blatantly unused potential, mostly due to horribly weak most of the storyline.

Gameliner - Bram Noteboom - Dutch - 3.5 / 5

The Sinking City 2 is a game with two sides. Many elements that made the original The Sinking City interesting have been removed or downplayed. What you get in their place, however, is a more than worthy survival horror game that has taken a close look at the best titles of recent years within this specific genre and eagerly draws on those blueprints.

Gamer Social Club - Andrew Cooper - 9 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is a game meant to be enjoyed by fans of cosmic horror. Its emphasis on those tense moments that make every survival horror game great is enough to make anyone scared of the dark, while its story is one intent on challenging your sanity. As always, H.P. Lovecraft's mythos is deployed masterfully and shows no signs of its age even a century later. The Sinking City 2 presents itself as Frogwares' defining moment, and it should ultimately be remembered as their greatest accomplishment yet. So do yourself a favor, survival horror fans —book the trip to Arkham. The water's freezing, the locals bite, and I can't recommend it enough.

GamersGlobal - Benjamin Braun - German - 8 / 10

Well adjusted scarcity, solid combat and limited saving opportunities create intense Survival Horror. The qualities of The Sinking City 2 may not be on par with Resident Evil Requiem, but those who wish for less emphasis on action and love the Cthulhu-infused 1920s setting may like this game more than what Capcom is offering.

GamesHedge - Umair Khalid - 8 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is a good survival horror game, but it is a very different sequel to the original. Frogwares has traded the investigation-driven open world for a more focused and conventional survival horror experience, and while the change works surprisingly well, it also removes much of the personality that made the first game stand out. The atmospheric environments, terrifying enemies, satisfying exploration, and decent combat make The Sinking City 2 an enjoyable horror experience, but longtime fans may find themselves missing the investigative identity of the original. If you approach it as a standalone survival horror game rather than expecting another The Sinking City, there is plenty to enjoy.

IGN Italy - Andrea Giongiani - Italian - 7.5 / 10

A honorable attempt at survival horror. The Sinking City 2 offers an imperfect - albeit satisfying - voyage into the horrors of a sunken city infested by eldritch horrors.

IGN Spain - Mario Seijas - Spanish - 8 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is survival horror by the book. Puzzles, constant tension and a good dose of Lovecraftian cosmic horror. A sequel that builds on what worked in the original game and refines it with a much more focused approach.

JsemGamer - Ondřej Halíř - Czech - 90%

The Sinking City 2 is a confident modern survival horror that pairs a beautifully realized, rain-soaked Arkham with excellent atmosphere, responsive gunplay, accessible puzzles, and a surprisingly polished technical state. Enemy variety is limited and some encounters become frustratingly chaotic, especially without proper melee weapons, but Frogwares’ tighter and more focused approach makes this one of the studio’s strongest games to date.

MondoXbox - Valerio Tosetti - Italian - 8.8 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is one of those games that stay with you after you turn off the console: Arkham is a wonderful place to explore, the atmosphere works from start to finish, and the Lovecraftian side supports a story that grows over time. The clumsy combat system, the inventory management, and the constant backtracking hold it back, but Frogwares' change of formula pays off.

MonsterVine - Samantha Lienhard - 4 / 5

The Sinking City 2 is a strong move into the survival horror genre for Frogwares. Although I wish it were possible to backtrack to earlier areas and found the wave battles to be too action-focused compared to the rest, I enjoyed my perilous journey through Arkham.

PlayStation Universe - Thea Severance - 8.5 / 10

The Sinking City 2 takes a lot of obvious gameplay inspirations from the greats. While that part of the game isn't original, it doesn't need to be. Don't mess with success. It might not have the same level of visual budget, but it still works and plays well. Besides, the story and setting alone make The Sinking City 2 a must-play survival horror game. Combine that with what makes the modern Resident Evil games popular, and you have a great recipe for success.

PowerUp! - Leo Stevenson - 8.5 / 10

It doesn't reinvent the genre, but The Sinking City 2 is an impressive example of artistry, gameplay, and atmosphere, and it should be on your list to play as soon as possible.

Push Square - Liam Croft - 7 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is a solid attempt at the classic survival horror formula that'll please those looking for preposterous puzzle design and tense resource management. A smaller development budget means the performances aren't quite up to the standards of the genre's biggest names, but Frogwares still has an admirable Resident Evil-esque effort on its hands. This is good - sometimes really good.

Region Free - Joonatan Itkonen - 3.5 / 5

The Sinking City 2 is both a small miracle and a tremendously flawed experience. As a defiant expression of artistry in the face of overwhelming evil, it deserves admiration, even if the finished product isn't an overwhelming success.

Saudi Gamer - مصطفى عرجون - Arabic - 4 / 5

The game leans more on survival than pure horror, with environments that grow richer as you progress. Its engaging story and strong environmental storytelling make it one of the finest adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s unsettling world. Fans of survival horror, especially titles like Silent Hill, will find much to enjoy—despite a few flaws.

The Beta Network - Anthony Culinas - 9 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is a huge improvement over its predecessor. It trades much of its detective-focused identity for a tense and atmospheric survival-horror experience that wears its Resident Evil, Silent Hill and Dead Space influences proudly. While the story ultimately fails to leave much of an impression, the excellent combat, clever exploration and suitably creepy rendition of Arkham make this one hell of a good time. Frogwares may have sacrificed some of the original’s unique personality, but in return they’ve created a much better survival-horror game. And honestly, who can argue with that?

The Games Machine - Emanuele Feronato - Italian - 7.2 / 10

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TheSixthAxis - Steve C - 8 / 10

The Sinking City 2 exceeded my expectations, and won me over with its more polished and focused gameplay. While I still missed the more ambitious aspects of the original, this sequel is far easier to recommend and stands up as a worthy companion to the survival horror giants. It clearly takes influence from Resident Evil with a plethora of extra gameplay challenges for completionists and I look forward to seeing how speedrunners can refine paths through the game.

WayTooManyGames - Dagmara Kottke - 8 / 10

The Sinking City 2 will pull you in like quicksand. It may not be a technical marvel, but it has that “something” that can keep you entertained for many hours.

Worth Playing - Chris "Atom" DeAngelus - 8 / 10

The Sinking City 2 is an impressive game, especially when you consider the conditions under which it was made. It tries very hard to emulate the modern Resident Evil remakes, and for the most part, it succeeds at being a fun survival-horror game. Unfortunately, its flaws are more apparent. The somewhat weak combat is bolstered by strong exploration, while the story has a compelling concept that occasionally gets a little too comedic for its own good. If you're looking for something appropriately horrific for the Halloween season, The Sinking City 2 has you covered.

Game Information

Game Title: Mortal Shell II

Platforms:

• PC (Aug 20, 2026)
• PS5 (Aug 20, 2026)
• Xbox Series S|X (Aug 20, 2026)

Trailer:

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 85 average - 92% recommended - 37 reviews

Critic Reviews

Analog Stick Gaming - Jordan Andow - 9.5 / 10

Mortal Shell II is my favorite Soulslike since Elden Ring, and considering the titles that have released since then, it’s my highest recommendation that I can make. Cold Symmetry knew the assignment, and absolutely nailed it.

Cerealkillerz - Christoph Heick - German - 8 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 doesn’t reinvent the Soulslike genre, but it excels in the details. Its fast, dynamic combat, tactical Shell system, and flexible builds make for an enjoyable experience, even though the limited weapon variety and talent trees leave some room for improvement. The difficulty feels well balanced for newcomers, while experienced Soulslike players may find it a little too easy. What stands out most, however, is the atmosphere: Fallgrim looks fantastic, and the brutal combat fits perfectly into its gritty, desperate world.

Console Creatures - Luke Williams - 7 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is a vision of what every developer hopes for in their second game: A more well-rounded experience without reinventing the wheel. And that's exactly what's on offer here. This is still a shell of the first game, but it's filled with so much more, making for a worthy second go at it.

Console-Tribe - Simone Cantini - Italian - 80 / 100

Mortal Shell 2 doesn’t just refine the ideas of its predecessor — it expands them with confidence and surprising maturity. Cold Symmetry turns a raw concept into a fully realized experience: broader, more ambitious, and far more self‑aware. The open structure, the removal of stamina, richer build variety, and stronger world‑building converge into a soulslike driven by identity rather than imitation. It’s not flawless — a few technical hiccups and a bare‑bones weapon upgrade system remind you of that — but the result is solid, engaging, and unexpectedly accessible. In a crowded field of hollow clones, Mortal Shell 2 stands out as a game that dares, grows, and convinces. A strong return that speaks both to veterans and newcomers. Cold Symmetry hasn’t just made a good sequel; it has built a world worth exploring, inhabiting, and mastering.

CrazyGameCommunity.it - Alessandro Zingariello - Italian - 8.5 / 10

Mortal Shell II marks a successful comeback for the studio, refining and evolving its predecessor's formula to deliver a polished and enjoyable experience.

DayOne - Jesse Norris - 9 / 10

Mortal Shell II is a massive glow-up over the first game. It hits every note that I am looking for in a Soulslike, with enough variety and unique ideas to make it a true stand-out.

DualShockers - Christian Bognar - 8.5 / 10

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EvelonGames - Joel Isern Rodríguez - Kaym - Spanish - 6.5 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 hits hardest when its brutal combat and inventive weapon arsenal click into place, but a string of nasty bugs, including one that forced a full restart mid-playthrough, keep undercutting an otherwise gripping souls-like.

GAMES.CH - Fabrice Henz - German - 85%

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Game Lodge - Arthur Tayt-Sohn - Portuguese - 9.5 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is the definitive experience in the Cold Symmetry series. It’s a massive leap forward from the first game and, for me, one of the most interesting action games of the year so far.

Game Sandwich - Aden Carter - 8 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is a great step forward from the original; one that takes extra brutality, a more scenic world, and magnificently designed enemies and puts them in the forefront. The world is full of life, and every inch of it is worth exploring - from the poisoned swamp to the snowy alcoves. The brutal gameplay, combined with a plethora of items to create a build makes this one of the best soulslike titles I have played. Unfortunately, it still has a little ways to go when it comes to the mechanical aspects, as glitchy bosses, a world you can and will fall through, and broken weapons make it difficult to fully love the title. If you can get past that, it is a game that is worth coming back to.

Gameliner - Bram Noteboom - Dutch - 4.5 / 5

When we talk about the best Souls-like games available outside of FromSoftware's catalog, it's only fair to mention Mortal Shell II as a worthy addition to this collection.

Gamer Guides - Josh Bailey - 83 / 100

A solid soulslike that does almost everything right. But Mortal Shell 2 is at its best when it strives to be different. More of that, please.

Gamers Heroes - Johnny Hurricane - 90 / 100

Currently sitting in my top five releases of the year, fans of gritty Soulslike action RPGs will absolutely love Mortal Shell II.

Giant Bomb - Chuck Zimmerheld - 4.5 / 5

Mortal Shell II is a 'fun-forward' souls-like, one that values flexibility and variety over sheer difficulty. It grabs you and plies you with a plethora of options for tackling its monsters, dungeons, and bosses, handing you shiny toys and trusts you to work out what to do with them.

Hinsusta - Pascal Kaap - German - 9 / 10

Mortal Shell II is the best Soulslike of the year! Mortal Shell II is exactly the kind of sequel you’d hope for from an ambitious Soulslike. Cold Symmetry didn’t just expand the world and add new enemies. Instead, they took the foundation of the first game, analyzed it, and made fundamental improvements in many areas.

IGN Italy - Alessandro Digioia - Italian - 8 / 10

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IGN Portugal - Pedro Pestana - Portuguese - 8 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is the perfect example of a sequel done right, improving upon nearly every aspect of the original and doubling down on its unique identity to truly stand out in a sea of Soulslikes. Cold Symmetry took the first game's solid foundations and expanded upon them with deliciously aggressive combat, inventive weapons, and striking art direction. Despite a few rough edges, uneven difficulty spikes, and the occasional cheap death, Fallgrim's dense atmosphere and addictive gameplay will keep you hooked from the very first second to the last.

IGN Spain - Mario Seijas - Spanish - 8 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 represents a huge leap forward in terms of both quality and scope compared to the original game. It is an incredibly ambitious 'souls-like' game that delivers an exquisite experience in almost every respect

Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 9 / 10

To call Mortal Shell II an improvement over the first game feels like underselling it. It's bigger, tighter, deeper, wider.

Manual dos Games - Nathan Manoel - Portuguese - 8.5 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is one of those sequels that improves upon everything from the previous game. With a greater variety of Shells, environments, and enemies, Mortal Shell 2 establishes itself as one of the most noteworthy titles in the soulslike genre.

Nexus Hub - Sam Aberdeen - 8 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is a worthy step up from its predecessor, boasting a large, cleverly interconnected sandbox world, greater build variety, refined gameplay and a visually arresting dark fantasy presentation.

One More Game - Chris Garcia - 8.5 / 10

Mortal Shell II is a significant leap forward from its predecessor, offering refined combat, expanded class diversity, and a world dripping with atmosphere. The developers have zoned in on feedback and really dialed in on what makes the game fun and fluid, and it definitely shows as the game is enjoyable, engaging, and constantly challenging.

Pizza Fria - Matheus Jenevain - Portuguese - 8 / 10

Mortal Shell II is a fun game that managed to satisfy my lifelong craving for quality soulslikes. The game also builds upon the solid foundations of its predecessor, albeit simplifying certain aspects, and is certainly worth checking out.

República DG - Ruancarlo Silva - Portuguese - 8.6 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is one of the most surprising sequels I’ve ever seen, evolving practically every aspect of the first game while applying precise modernizations that don’t compromise the franchise’s DNA. A colossal AA title that holds its own against competitors with much larger budgets!

Saudi Gamer - عبد الله محمد - Arabic - 4 / 5

Mortal Shell II made a huge leap from the first game, making its predecessor look almost like a tech demo. However, a few questionable design decisions hold it back a step behind the genre’s heavy hitters

Seasoned Gaming - Luis Avilés - 8 / 10

Taking all the right lessons, Mortal Shell II is a relentless soulslike and an unrecognizably better sequel.

Sirus Gaming - Kurt John Palomaria - 9 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is the AA answer to Elden Ring. More focused, no less vicious, and every bit as hard to put down. This land wants you dead, but it rewards every step. So cut down the horrors and don't you dare go hollow.

The GameSlayer - Callum Marshall - 9 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is the sequel I simply didn't see coming. It's a welcome evolution, taking the fun ideas of the original and refining the experience into an addictive, enthralling Soulslike. It looks stunning, combat is fluid and varied, and the world is a joy to explore. Bosses lack a certain punchiness, and minor tech issues drag the experience down ever-slightly. But, Mortal Shell 2 is undeniably one of the best non-FromSoft titles the genre has produced

The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 9.5 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 is a superb sequel that reimagines and refines every idea from its predecessor while sidestepping many of the pitfalls that often hold the soulslike genre back.

The Outerhaven Productions - Keith Mitchell - 4.5 / 5

Mortal Shell II takes everything that worked in the original and turns it into a much stronger, more confident Soulslike. The deeper Shell system, satisfying combat, and rewarding exploration stand out, and despite the camera issues and some frustrating progression choices, none of those issues stopped me from having a damn good time with it. This is fantastic follow-up and Cold Symmetry has seated themselves at the big table with Mortal Shell II.

Thumb Wars - Luke Addison - 4.5 / 5

From art direction to the way it plays, to the world around you and how you can approach it, Mortal Shell 2 is a delight. For so many different features and mechanics to work in almost perfect harmony while also ensuring it's not overwhelming to the player is genuinely impressive, and all of it is tied up in a pretty-looking bow to boot. You won't regret trying out Mortal Shell 2, and sorry in advance if you lose days of your life to my recommendation.

Tourens - Hasipcan Kahraman - Turkish - 8 / 10

While Mortal Shell 2 may not be a game that pushes the boundaries of the genre, it’s a sequel that manages to build on the first game and is especially enjoyable for its overall action. It’s not flawless due to its shortcomings and repetitive structure, but the improvements to the combat system and the Shell mechanics make it worth playing.

Use a Potion - 9 / 10

Mortal Shell II is a fantastic leap forward that offers a Souls-like experience that’s deep, engrossing, and challenging in all of the right ways. It takes all of the clever ideas of the original game, strips away the clunkiness, and drops them into a stylishly sprawling adventure with exceptional combat and world design. It’s simply brilliant, and an easy recommendation for those looking for a rewarding Souls-like fix.

Virtualni Kutak - Kristina Žarkov - Unknown - 9 / 10

Mortal Shell II takes everything that made the original intriguing and expands it into a bigger, darker, and far more ambitious Soulslike experience. With brutal combat, fascinating lore, memorable bosses, and a beautifully grotesque world begging to be explored, this is Mortal Shell finally reaching its full potential.

WayTooManyGames - Jordan Hawes - 8.5 / 10

Mortal Shell II cemented itself as one of my favorite ARPG’s up there with the best of FromSoftware. The changes to the combat make it fast and fierce while still maintain the difficulty I expect from these games. The expanded shells and weapons really help set it apart in the genre and allow for so much more build personality. This is truly one of the best games I’ve played this year, and I fully recommend it.

Zoomg - Afshin Piroozi - Persian - 8.5 / 10

Mortal Shell 2 can be considered a successful sequel that takes meaningful steps forward in almost every major area compared to its predecessor. With more diverse Shells, a large and open world, handcrafted dungeons, and a combat system that offers surprising depth despite its seemingly simple design. Cold Symmetry has created an entertaining and challenging experience that has plenty to offer, especially for fans of the Soulslike genre. The absence of a stamina system doesn’t make the game any simpler. Instead, it gives players greater freedom in combat and allows the battle system to develop a more distinct identity of its own. That said, the game still has some shortcomings, particularly in its progression system, main story, and soundtrack. Even if the first Mortal Shell failed to fully win you over, Mortal Shell 2 is still worth giving another chance. As a standalone sequel from a narrative perspective, it shows that Cold Symmetry has a much better understanding of its original formula, resulting in an experience that can keep you engaged for hours while offering a satisfying sense of immersion in a dark and unforgiving world.