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The Sinking City 2 has eight optional investigations covered by a post-launch independent guide. Here they are in chapter order, with their listed locations and the guide’s cautions about when to finish them. This is an independent checklist, not an official Frogwares list.
All investigations in chapter order
The chapter names below match the main-story progression identified by an independent walkthrough. Investigation names and locations come from an independent guide that says it cross-checked the names against the launch achievement list; its review date is August 20, 2026.
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| Story chapter | Optional investigation | Location listed by the guide |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 1 — A New Day | The Inheritance | Apartment 5 / Radio Store |
| Chapter 2 — The Wake-Up Call | The Other Gods | Redemption Church |
| Chapter 2 — The Wake-Up Call | The Red Press | Printing House |
| Chapter 2 — The Wake-Up Call | The Siren’s Call | Devil’s Reef Hotel |
| Chapter 3 — A Sight for Sore Eyes | The Whisperers | Akeley Wireless Room |
| Chapter 3 — A Sight for Sore Eyes | The Vault | Akeley Storage |
| Chapter 4 — Time and Tide | The Drowned | Fish Market Fishing Shop |
| Chapter 4 — Time and Tide | The Damned | Fish Market Salt Storage |
Which investigations should you complete before advancing?
The independent guide warns that some locations may become unavailable after leaving a chapter. It recommends finishing cases in the area before moving on. Treat the following as spoiler-sensitive guide advice, not an official guarantee that every investigation is permanently missable.
- Chapter 1 — The Inheritance: Open the Apartment safe before leaving the flooded residential area.
- Chapter 2 — The Red Press: Collect all three Printing Plates before moving on from the chapter.
- Chapter 3 — The Whisperers and The Vault: Complete both Akeley investigations before the final hospital escape.
- Chapter 4 — The Drowned and The Damned: Complete both Fish Market investigations before taking the Broken Hold route.
Are investigations required to finish the main story?
No: Frogwares describes the sequel’s investigations as optional mysteries that run alongside exploration rather than acting as gates to story progression. In an Xbox Wire article published August 18, 2026, game director Alexander Gresko said, “In the sequel it runs alongside exploration, instead of gating it.” He explains that solving mysteries can earn useful rewards, including an extra inventory slot, a talent, or a weapon upgrade. The investigations therefore offer optional exploration and rewards; they are not presented as prerequisites for simply progressing through the main story. Read the Xbox Wire feature.
Does Holloway Manor belong in this investigation list?
No. An independent walkthrough identifies Holloway Manor as a separate DLC mission, not a main-story chapter or one of the eight investigations in the chapter order above. The walkthrough also says its DLC routing was still being verified, so it does not establish a reliable place for Holloway Manor in this sequence. See the walkthrough’s chapter and DLC distinction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this order can—and cannot—confirm
The checklist is useful for planning chapter-by-chapter completion, but it is not an official Frogwares checklist. The achievement listing on the Epic Games Store provides an additional platform check for investigation names, but does not establish the full chapter order. No named statistic on investigation completion rates or player completion was established by the cited sources, so none is included here.
The Sinking City 2 launched on August 18, 2026. Its Steam listing includes digital editions and add-ons, including Holloway Manor; store availability and pricing can change. Check the Steam listing.
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