The Sinking City 2 launches on August 18, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The status is Confirmed, and advanced access for pre-purchases is already running, so some players are in the flooded streets of Arkham a day ahead of the wide launch.
Quick answer: On Steam the game unlocks at 09:00 UTC on August 18, 2026. If you pre-purchase, you can start playing during the advanced access window that is live now, one day before the standard release.
Release time: August 18, 2026, 09:00 UTC
The Sinking City 2 release time by region
The Steam store lists the unlock at 09:00 UTC on launch day. Here is how that converts across common time zones so you know exactly when the game goes live in your area.
| Region / Time zone | Release time (Aug 18, 2026) |
|---|---|
| UTC | 9:00 am |
| Pacific (PT) | 1:00 am |
| Mountain (MT) | 2:00 am |
| Central (CT) | 3:00 am |
| Eastern (ET) | 4:00 am |
| Central European (CET) | 10:00 am |
| Eastern European (EET) | 11:00 am |
| India (IST) | 2:30 pm |
| Japan / Korea (JST/KST) | 6:00 pm |
Note: Console unlock times can differ slightly by store and region. On PlayStation and Xbox, check the product page in your account for the exact countdown tied to your storefront.
Early access and how to start playing sooner
Pre-purchasing grants advanced access that begins one day before the wide release, and that window is active right now. The Premium Edition specifically includes 24-hour advanced access as a listed feature.
You can confirm your access is working when the game shows as playable in your library instead of showing a pre-order or countdown state. On Steam it moves from a preload/advanced-access label to a launchable “Play” button once your edition’s window opens.
A playable demo is also available on Steam if you want to test performance and controls before buying.
Platforms, editions, and price
The Sinking City 2 releases across PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Three digital editions are available, each adding extra content on top of the base game.
| Edition | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $49.99 / €49.99 / £41.35 | Base game + Chthonic Arsenal pack |
| Deluxe | $54.99 / €54.99 / £45.45 | Standard content + The Arkham Field Kit |
| Premium | $59.99 / €59.99 / £49.59 | Deluxe content + Holloway Manor + 24-hour advanced access |
File size and PC system requirements
Plan your storage before the unlock so the download finishes in time. Estimated install sizes vary by platform.
| Platform | Estimated file size |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | ~48 GB |
| Xbox Series X|S | ~50 GB |
| Windows (PC) | ~70 GB |
On PC, Frogwares lists the following specifications. The minimum targets 1080p at 30fps on the Low preset, while the recommended tier targets 1440p at 60fps on Balanced.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 x64 | Windows 11 x64 |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | Intel Core i5-14600K / AMD Ryzen 5 7600X |
| RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| GPU | GeForce GTX 1070 / RX 5700, 8GB VRAM | GeForce RTX 4070 Ti / RX 7900 XT, 12GB VRAM |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 70 GB | 70 GB |
What The Sinking City 2 is
This sequel to the 2019 original moves away from open-world detective work and commits to survival horror. Set in a 1920s, supernaturally flooded version of Arkham, you play as Calvin Rafferty, an occult adventurer trying to save Faye Bennett after a ritual to reach the Dreamlands goes wrong.
Expect scarce ammunition, tight inventory management, puzzles, and confined locations such as a library, a graveyard, and a hospital. Investigation returns through an evidence board, but it is now optional. Solving cases yields lore, hidden routes, and weapon upgrades rather than gating the main story.
The game carries a mature content rating for frequent violence and gore, so factor that in before buying. With the launch set for August 18 and early access already open, the fastest way to lock in your unlock time is to check the countdown on your platform’s product page and pre-load ahead of the 09:00 UTC go-live.
