Sinking City 2 Chapters: Find Your Case & Objective

This guide explains how the chapter structure works in The Sinking City 2, specifically how to locate your current case and objective. You open the case file from the pause menu or by pressing the dedicated map button, and the active objective is always marked with a yellow icon on the map and a compass marker at the top of the screen.

How Chapters and Cases Work

The Sinking City 2 does not use a linear chapter select like older adventure games. Instead, the story is divided into a prologue and five main acts, each containing multiple cases. A case is a self-contained investigation with its own set of clues, locations, and a final resolution. The game tracks your progress through each case automatically, and the objective text updates as you discover new evidence or complete sub-goals.

When you start a new game, you are placed in the prologue, which teaches the basic mechanics: exploring flooded streets, using a diving suit, and scanning for clues. After the prologue, the main hub opens up, and you can freely choose which available case to pursue. The chapter you are in is always displayed in the top-left corner of the pause screen, next to the current location name.

Finding Your Current Objective

Your active objective is shown in three places simultaneously. First, the bottom-left corner of the HUD displays a short text line, such as “Find the missing dockworker’s locker.” Second, the compass bar at the top of the screen shows a yellow diamond when the objective is within the current district. Third, the full map screen (opened with the map button, default M on PC, or the touchpad on consoles) shows a yellow quest marker with an exclamation point.

If you have multiple cases open, only one is active at a time. You can switch the active case by opening the case file (default J on PC) and selecting a different entry. The game will then update the HUD and map to show the objective for that case. Some objectives require you to be in a specific district, and the map will show a yellow border around that district until you arrive.

Reading the Case File

The case file is your main reference for all investigation details. It lists every case you have encountered, along with a summary of what you know so far. Each entry has three tabs: Synopsis, Clues, and People. The Synopsis tab gives a paragraph of story context and the current objective in bold. The Clues tab lists every piece of evidence you have collected, with a short description and where it was found. The People tab shows the names of NPCs involved and any notes about them.

Clues are color-coded by relevance: white for background information, yellow for important evidence, and red for critical clues that directly advance the case. If you are stuck, read the red clues again; they often contain a location name or a person’s name that you need to visit next. The case file also tracks whether you have exhausted all dialogue options with a given character, indicated by a small checkmark next to their name.

Common Problems and Solutions

Players often get stuck when an objective marker disappears or points to a location they have already searched. This usually means you missed a clue in that area. Use the “detective mode” (hold the scan button) to highlight interactive objects in a yellow outline. Look for documents, photographs, or audio recordings that you might have walked past. If the marker is on a building, check all floors—some objectives are on rooftops or in basements accessible through side doors.

Another common issue is not having the right tool for an objective. For example, some locked doors require a bolt cutter, and some flooded areas require a diving suit upgrade. The objective text will hint at this: if it says “find a way to open the gate,” you need to look for a key or a tool, not force the door. If you are completely stuck, revisit the case file’s Synopsis tab; it often restates the objective in different words after you fail to progress.

Map Icons and Legend

The map in The Sinking City 2 uses a consistent icon set. A yellow circle with a question mark is an undiscovered objective location. A yellow circle with an exclamation point is your current objective. A blue circle is a side quest. A green square is a safe house where you can save and rest. A red triangle is a hostile creature encounter. The map legend is accessible by pressing the corresponding button (default L on PC) and explains every icon.

Fast travel is unlocked after you discover a safe house. You can fast travel from any safe house to any other safe house, but not to arbitrary map points. This is useful when an objective is in a distant district. The map also shows the water level for each district, which affects which areas are walkable. If an objective is underwater, you need to use a diving bell or a boat to reach it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which chapter I am on?

The current chapter is shown in the pause menu under the “Story” tab. It is also displayed briefly when you complete a major story beat, with a screen transition that says “Chapter 2: The Drowned City” or similar. If you are in the middle of a case, the chapter name is less important than the case name, which is always visible in the case file.

Why is my objective marker not showing on the map?

This happens when the objective is in a location you have not discovered yet. The map only shows markers for areas you have explored. Travel to the nearest discovered location and use the compass—it will point in the general direction of the objective even if the map marker is hidden. Alternatively, check the case file; it may have a clue that gives a street name or landmark.

Can I do side cases before main cases?

Yes, you can pursue side cases at any time after the prologue. They are marked with blue icons on the map and are completely optional. Doing them can give you extra supplies, money, and sometimes unique clues that help with main cases. However, some side cases have time limits—if you wait too long, they may fail, so check the case file for a “Time Sensitive” tag.

What does “Objective Updated” mean?

This notification appears when you discover a clue that changes your current goal. It is not a new case; it is a refinement of the existing one. For example, you might go from “Find the killer” to “Question the witness at the docks.” Always read the new objective text carefully, as it may require you to go to a different location than you expected.

I lost my objective after a cutscene. What do I do?

After a major cutscene, the game often removes the old objective and gives you a new one. If the screen is blank, open the case file and look for the most recent entry. If nothing is listed, you may need to return to the main hub and speak to the quest giver again. This is a known design choice to encourage exploration, but it can be confusing—checking the map for any yellow markers is the fastest fix.

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