The Sinking City 2 system requirements: PC Setup Guide

The official PC requirements for The Sinking City 2 list two performance targets rather than one universal hardware profile. The minimum specification is designed for 1080p at 30 FPS on Low, while the recommended specification aims for 1440p at 60 FPS on Balanced. Both profiles require Windows 11 x64, DirectX 12, 16 GB or more of memory, and a solid-state drive.

The requirements are especially important for this survival horror sequel because its flooded Arkham setting combines dense interiors, changing routes, supernatural effects, and large enemy encounters. Meeting the minimum tier should provide a starting point, but a system closer to the recommended tier offers more room for stable frame pacing and higher image quality.

Video Highlights:

• The sequel emphasizes survival horror and careful resource management.
• Flooded routes, shifting environments, and sanity effects can shape encounters.
• The PC version includes adjustable difficulty and accessibility options.
• A free opening demo is listed on the Steam page for testing performance.
• The game is scheduled for PC release on August 18, 2026.

The official The Sinking City 2 Epic Games Store page provides the following hardware details:

The minimum and recommended specifications describe different experiences. They are not simply two labels for whether the game launches. The minimum profile is built around a lower resolution, a 30 FPS target, and the Low preset. The recommended profile doubles the memory allowance and raises the graphics requirement substantially for 1440p and 60 FPS on Balanced.

The CPU recommendations also show that processor performance matters. The minimum processors are older high-performance or midrange models, while the recommended processors are newer desktop parts with stronger overall throughput. That difference may help during exploration through Arkham, streaming between areas, and encounters where multiple environmental effects appear together.

A graphics card that matches the minimum requirement may still need careful configuration on a high-refresh monitor. The official target is 30 FPS at 1080p, so a 120 Hz or 144 Hz display does not change the hardware requirement by itself. It simply makes the difference between a 30 FPS target and a higher frame rate more noticeable.

The recommended tier is a stronger target for players who want a smoother response during combat. The game’s enemies can alter the environment or distort perception, and consistent frame pacing can make movement, aiming, and retreating easier to manage.

The game requires 70 GB of available SSD space on both the minimum and recommended profiles. An SSD is not an optional recommendation in the official listing. Before installation, verify that the selected drive has enough free capacity beyond the stated requirement. Leaving additional room can make updates and temporary installation files easier to manage.

Windows 11 x64 is also listed for both hardware tiers. Players using another operating system should check compatibility before purchase rather than assuming that a system meeting the CPU and GPU requirements will qualify. The official listing also specifies DirectX 12.

Use this preparation flow before installing:

The listed storage figure should not be treated as a precise recommendation for every future installation state. Game updates can require temporary capacity, and a nearly full SSD may perform less consistently than a drive with comfortable free space. If possible, install The Sinking City 2 on an SSD that is not heavily occupied by other large applications.

The official targets provide a useful starting point: 1080p at 30 FPS on Low for minimum hardware and 1440p at 60 FPS on Balanced for recommended hardware. Start with the preset associated with your system instead of immediately choosing the highest available settings.

Resolution scaling is part of the official performance guidance. The requirements note that TSR or comparable technologies can improve performance. This makes resolution scaling one of the first settings to adjust when your frame rate is unstable. It can preserve more detail than simply reducing every option to its lowest value, although the final result depends on your hardware and display.

Use this order when tuning:

• Select the appropriate preset: Low for minimum-tier hardware or Balanced for recommended-tier hardware.
• Set the display resolution to your monitor’s native resolution.
• Enable TSR or a comparable scaling method if available.
• Set a realistic frame-rate limit rather than chasing an unstable peak.
• Lower demanding visual options one at a time and retest the same area.
• Keep subtitles, audio cues, and other accessibility settings enabled if they improve navigation or comfort.

Avoid changing several settings at once. If performance improves after a large preset change, you will not know which option caused the difference. A controlled approach is more useful in a horror game where dark interiors, water effects, and supernatural distortions may stress the system differently.

The game also offers multiple difficulty and accessibility options, including subtitle and audio settings, audio cue support, optional HUD controls, motion-related adjustments, and separate investigation difficulty controls. These settings affect comfort and readability rather than the official PC performance tier, so configure them according to your needs.

A system requirements check is only one part of preparing for The Sinking City 2. The sequel is a standalone survival horror story set in a flooded Arkham, with exploration, optional investigations, scarce resources, and enemies that can influence the surrounding space. A stable setup helps you focus on those systems instead of troubleshooting during a tense encounter.

The PC edition is listed for Windows through the Epic Games Store, while the referenced information also identifies a Steam demo for the opening segments. The base game is listed at $49.99, the Deluxe Edition at $54.99, and the Premium Edition at $59.99 on the official store page. These prices and edition contents are separate from hardware compatibility, so confirm your PC first.

The Chthonic Arsenal includes the Shale Mary handgun, Breakwater shotgun, and Tektite Tommy SMG, with each weapon offering its own look and features. The Premium Edition adds Holloway Manor, a haunted mansion investigation that provides the Bucking Bronco revolver for the main game.

These extras do not replace the need for a capable PC. If your system is close to the minimum specification, prioritize the base performance target first. Edition bonuses can add content or equipment, but they do not improve frame rate, loading speed, or hardware compatibility.