The Sinking City 2 PC Demo Gains NVIDIA DLSS Support to Tackle Unreal Engine 5 Performance Demands
NVIDIA has announced official DLSS support for the Steam Next Fest demo of The Sinking City 2, boosting framerates in Frogwares' UE5 survival horror.
With the Steam Next Fest underway, PC players are getting their first taste of Frogwares’ upcoming horror sequel. To ensure that the flooded streets of Arkham remain visually striking without crippling frame rates, NVIDIA has officially rolled out DLSS support for the time-limited trial.
As Frogwares transitions the franchise from the investigation-heavy mechanics of the 2019 original to a dedicated survival horror format, performance optimization is critical. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game leverages advanced rendering features that demand significant hardware resources. The integration of DLSS in the demo is a clear effort to address performance concerns early on.
Navigating Arkham with Enhanced Stability
The Steam Next Fest trial allows players to explore the opening hours of the sequel, showcasing the dark, waterlogged districts and claustrophobic interiors. However, the atmospheric lighting and highly detailed environments come at a steep hardware cost. Early impressions from players indicate that the performance benefits of DLSS are essential for maintaining stable targeting and smooth navigation during sudden ambushes.
Eldritch monstrosities, including aggressive deep ones, require quick reflexes to neutralize under pressure. A stuttering frame rate in a survival horror game can easily lead to a premature death, making the performance boost provided by super-resolution technology a welcome addition.
What This Means for PC Hardware
With the game utilizing modern Unreal Engine 5 features, checking the official system requirements is highly recommended for anyone planning to purchase the full release in August. While the final game is expected to undergo further optimization, the demo serves as an important benchmark. Players attempting to run the trial at native resolutions without upscaling may find themselves facing significant performance bottlenecks, particularly on mid-range hardware configurations.
Those interested in testing the current state of the game can check our detailed demo walkthrough for a complete breakdown of what to expect during the Steam Next Fest trial.
The Sinking City 2 is scheduled to launch on August 18, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.