Hello anyone reading, I’m about one hour into the game so far and already it’s lived up to my hype and expectations. The art style and graphics are great, the movement feels nice. The environments are gorgous. But one of the main points is the combat, the combat is really smooth and feels good to use, using spells and sword attack interlocked with using the revolver absolute brilliance. But furthermore it’s punishing if you make a stupid mistake of going in for an extra hit you can (and will) be punished. So unless you really struggle with souls like games then 10/10 would recommend for the first hour alone.

Tombwater is one of those games that immediately stood out to me, and after spending time with it, it absolutely delivers.

At its core, this is a 2D Soulslike set in a dark, twisted version of the Old West, blending methodical combat with exploration that feels very reminiscent of classic Zelda-style design. The game actually started out as a 2D demake of Bloodborne (that's a positive thing), and you can definitely feel that influence in the combat, tone, and overall design philosophy.

Combat feels tight and responsive, whether you’re using melee weapons or firearms, and the class system adds a nice layer of flexibility depending on how you want to approach the game. I went with the Drifter class, which felt great thanks to its balanced playstyle and mobility, but honestly, all of the classes seem like they bring something unique to the table.

There’s a strong sense of risk and reward, especially with the campfire system and recovering your resources after death.

The atmosphere is one of the game’s biggest strengths. The pixel art, world design, and especially the music all come together to create a really immersive experience. The Eldritch horror elements layered into the Western setting give it a distinct tone that sets it apart from other games in the genre.

There’s also a solid amount of content here, with a non-linear map, multiple biomes to explore, and plenty of weapons, abilities, and builds to experiment with.

If you’re a fan of Soulslikes, Metroidvanias, or Zelda-style exploration, this is definitely worth checking out.

I also have a full video review up on my YouTube channel (ThunderStash Gaming) if you want a deeper breakdown of the game.

For those wondering about performance — I played this on a SteamDeck OLED, and it ran great.

Hey you! Yes, you! Do you like Bloodborne? Red Dead? How about Zelda? Well oh boy do I got a game for you! Tombwater exceeded my expectations and is a truly special experience that only comes around every so often. Do yourself a favor and get this game!

Tombwater takes me back to the days of the Super Nintendo, when games just felt different. This game is very set up like 'A link to the past' and that makes me love it even more. It does have some elements from different genres like soulslikes and metroidvanias, but I would still compare it most to Zelda.

This game was a lot higher quality than I was expecting going into it, and it has cemented itself as a game I will always come back to to the end of time. Exploration is very fun and the world feels very lived in and interesting, Combat is also a blast and the boss fights so far have been very well telegraphed and designed! I haven't beaten the game yet, but I'm honestly excited to see where the story is going and I cant wait to finish it! If I had to give a piece of criticism its that I wish there were costumes!

All in all, a solid 8.5 out of 10 Experience that keeps me coming back for more! Such an awesome game :)