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There are eight optional investigations in The Sinking City 2, arranged across the first four campaign chapters. The list below follows an independent post-launch guide, not an official Frogwares checklist; use it as a chapter-by-chapter route and finish each area’s cases before moving on if you want to reduce the risk of missing them.
All The Sinking City 2 investigations in order
The order and locations below come from an independent guide that says it cross-checked investigation names against the launch achievement list. Its checklist was reviewed August 20, 2026. The Epic Games Store achievement listing also supports the named achievements, but does not establish their chapter order.
| Campaign chapter | Investigation | Guide-listed location |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 1 — A New Day | The Inheritance | Apartment 5 / Radio Store |
| Chapter 2 — The Wake-Up Call | The Other Gods | Redemption Church |
| The Red Press | Printing House | |
| The Siren’s Call | Devil’s Reef Hotel | |
| Chapter 3 — A Sight for Sore Eyes | The Whisperers | Akeley Wireless Room |
| The Vault | Akeley Storage | |
| Chapter 4 — Time and Tide | The Drowned | Fish Market Fishing Shop |
| The Damned | Fish Market Salt Storage |
Which investigations should you finish before leaving an area?
The independent guide cautions that some locations may not be revisitable after a chapter transition. That is guide advice, not an official guarantee that every case is missable. To be cautious, it recommends completing these objectives before proceeding:
- Chapter 1: Open the Apartment safe before leaving the flooded residential area.
- Chapter 2: Collect all three Printing Plates before moving on.
- Chapter 3: Complete both Akeley investigations before the final hospital escape.
- Chapter 4: Complete both Fish Market investigations before taking the Broken Hold route.
If you are following the cases for completion, treat each chapter’s listed locations as a checklist and investigate them before advancing the story.
Are the cases required to finish the main story?
No: the investigations are optional mysteries that run alongside exploration, rather than gates to campaign progress. In an Xbox Wire article published August 18, 2026, Frogwares Game Director Alexander Gresko describes the sequel’s approach: “In the sequel it runs alongside exploration, instead of gating it.” Solving mysteries can reward useful items or progression benefits, including an extra inventory slot, a talent, or a weapon upgrade. The exact reward depends on the investigation.
Gresko also describes the exploration design this way: “Leaving the open world behind meant we could focus on putting something in every room worth finding: a story, a secret, or a monster.” That makes the side cases one part of a broader search for discoveries, not a separate prerequisite list for completing the story.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Holloway Manor part of the investigation order?
No. A separate walkthrough identifies Holloway Manor as a DLC mission, not one of the main campaign chapters or the eight investigations listed above. Its routing was still being verified on that walkthrough, so it should not be inserted into this order. The game launched August 18, 2026; the Steam listing includes the Holloway Manor add-on alongside the game’s digital editions.
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Quick Recap
Sources and scope
- Independent post-launch investigation guide: chapter order, locations, and missability cautions.
- Xbox Wire: August 18, 2026 feature with comments from Frogwares Game Director Alexander Gresko on investigation design and rewards.
- Steam store listing: release date and listed digital products, including Holloway Manor.
- Epic Games Store achievement listing: a platform check for named investigation achievements; it does not establish their chapter order.
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