Publisher Midwest Games and developer Max Mraz of Moth Atlas have pulled back the curtain on the deadly combat options awaiting players in Tombwater, their upcoming 2D souls-like action RPG dripping with Wild West grit and Lovecraftian horror.
Available to wishlist now on Steam, Tombwater puts you in the boots of a lone gunslinger searching for a lost friend in a plague-stricken frontier town where creeping madness and monstrous horrors are the norm.
A Town Full of Nightmares, and the Weapons to Match
From battered ship anchors to experimental pistols, Tombwater’s arsenal is as varied as it is strange. Players will have access to over 50 melee and firearm options, each with unique weapon arts.
Melee highlights include:
- Blood Rapier – Restores health on hit and unleashes a life-stealing slash.
- Anchor – Slow but devastating, with a throwable chain attack.
- Streetlamp – Swing for bursts of flame and summon a swirling fire ring.
Firearm standouts include:
- Oilsprayer – Coat enemies in oil to make them vulnerable to fire.
- Edison Cannon – Fires a charged bolt of lightning in a straight line.
- Infernal Shotgun – Shells react with blood to inflict searing fire damage.
Spells That Come at a Price
Tombwater’s magic system packs around 40 unique spells, from summoning spectral oxen to binding enemies to your fate. But there’s a cost — most spells raise your madness meter, bringing dangerous consequences.
Examples include:
- Moth Swarm – Poisonous insects that orbit you like a deadly shield.
- Gravefingers – Skeletal hands erupt from the ground to grab foes.
- Fate Bind – Damage you take is shared with bound enemies.
Charms for Passive Power
Charms provide persistent bonuses when equipped at campfires, allowing for customized playstyles. Examples include the Gambler’s Charm (increased damage dealt and taken), Bulletbreaker (deflect bullets with melee weapons), and Lucky Bullet (extra power on your final shot).
From the Creator of Yarntown
Developed by Max Mraz, known for Ocean’s Heart and the fan-favorite Bloodborne demake Yarntown, Tombwater blends hand-crafted pixel art with tight combat and a sprawling, secret-filled map. A demo is already available on Steam, and the newly launched Discord offers fans a place to share feedback ahead of release.
Tombwater is set to release in 2025 for Windows PC via Steam.
