Tombwater Video Game Review Highlights Metroidvania and Soulslike Elements

Tombwater is a video game developed by a two-person team at Moth Atlas. The game blends metroidvania and soulslike mechanics in an open-world 2D top-down format set in an Eldritch Western environment. It includes sliders to adjust damage dealt and damage taken, allowing players to modify difficulty levels.

The protagonist, referred to as the Kid, navigates burrows in the mining town of Tombwater. Players use a knife and gun to explore areas, discover ancient horrors, and uncover town secrets. Exploration requires items such as a hookshot, special keys, or apothecary tools to access different biomes and locations.

The game's map allows open exploration of areas once players obtain necessary items.

Players can mark the map to return to previously inaccessible spots. Environments include dilapidated and burnt homes, a church with creatures, dogs with unusual features, and townsfolk displaying odd expressions. Story elements emerge through environmental details, conversations with townsfolk, and memories involving the town sheriff and the Kid.

Optional side quests provide additional objectives, encouraging players to discover new paths and item uses. Players may spend extended time dashing between areas, managing inventory items, and balancing melee and ranged combat.

involves combinations of weapons, charms, and spells tailored to player preferences.

The adjustable damage sliders enable customized pacing while maintaining core challenges, such as managing health to avoid being overwhelmed by enemies or missing key items due to incomplete exploration. The game presents challenges beyond direct combat, including thorough area investigation. The soundtrack features haunting steel strings and aesthetics associated with Western themes.

Tombwater released as an indie title, incorporating references to works like Blood Meridian. Newsweek reported on its design as a metroidvania soulslike with these elements.