For the legion of Bloodborne enthusiasts still frequenting the streets of Yharnam over a decade later, the craving for more gothic, cosmic horror remains unquenched. With a formal sequel appearing increasingly mythical and FromSoftware having reportedly turned down remake pitches, the community has been left to lean on fresh playthroughs or inspired indie projects to satisfy that familiar itch.
While the Bloodborne PSX demake remains the gold standard, a noteworthy successor has emerged: Tombwater. Crafted by developer Max Mraz—the creative force behind the 2020 cult hit Yarntown—this Soulslike trades Victorian architecture for a gritty, supernatural Wild West. It serves as a spiritual companion to his previous work, successfully translating the visceral intensity of FromSoftware’s masterpiece into a stylized 2D landscape.
You assume the role of a drifter arriving in the cursed town of Tombwater, searching for a former train-robbing cohort who now occupies the role of sheriff. The narrative hook is simple, but the town itself is anything but; it is a claustrophobic trap filled with horrors that defy explanation.
The bestiary begins with sword-wielding bandits and gunfighters, but as you delve deeper, the true grotesque nature of the town reveals itself. You’ll encounter wretched, hybrid creatures with pulsating tentacles erupting from their chests and decaying beasts driven by an insatiable hunger. Despite their 2D sprite limitation, these designs are deeply unsettling and masterfully rendered.
Your arsenal offers impressive tactical variety. From daggers that favor speed and bullet-recharging to pistols that apply stacking freeze debuffs, the game encourages constant experimentation. I found myself frequently cycling through loadouts to suit the encounter at hand.
Combat is relentless, anchored by a “rally” mechanic that rewards aggression by allowing you to regain lost vitality through counter-attacks—a clear homage to Bloodborne. However, Tombwater carves out its own niche through its firearm system. Unlike the parry-centric pistols of Yharnam, here your guns are high-impact tools of destruction. Weaving together melee strikes with well-placed shots and grenades creates a rhythmic, adrenaline-fueled dance that feels distinctively rewarding.
The only friction point lies in the defensive options. The lack of a robust parry system is a missed opportunity, forcing players to rely almost exclusively on dodging. In tight, confined arenas, this can feel somewhat restrictive, leading to frustrating moments where getting pinned against a wall spells certain doom with little recourse for escape.
Of course, no Soulslike is complete without its high-stakes boss encounters. While some early-game bosses are manageable, the difficulty curve is deceptive. An early fight against a bomb-throwing recluse seemed trivial, only for him to undergo a terrifying transformation, forcing a sudden shift in strategy. I was later put in my place by a massive, beastly horror that wiped me out in two strikes, serving as a stark reminder that even the most seasoned hunters must respect the threat.
That humbling defeat was a masterclass in patience and positioning, illustrating how to manipulate the environment and use distractions to create an opening. Achieving victory in Tombwater provides that same intoxicating rush found in the finest Souls titles. While we wait for a formal return to the world of FromSoftware’s nightmares, Tombwater proves that the spirit of the genre is in good hands, offering a unique, blood-soaked experience that stands firmly on its own merits.
Source: Polygon
