Bloody Hell, Hunters: 'Tombwater' Is Bringing 2D Bloodborne To The Wild West, And It's Wild-er Than You Think.
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
This article dives into 'Tombwater,' a new 2D Soulslike from the creator of 'Yarntown,' that blends *Bloodborne*-inspired cosmic horror with a unique Wild West setting, offering a fresh take on the beloved genre while we all impatiently wait for that *Bloodborne* sequel.
Right, so let's talk about that gaping, cosmic-horror-shaped hole in our hearts that only more *Bloodborne* can fill. We've been through it all, haven't we, mate? The endless whispers of a sequel, the rejected remake projects, the desperate clutching at fan-made gems just to get another taste of Yharnam's grim delights. It's like waiting for a spell to brew that never quite finishes – an eternity of 'almost'.
But hold onto your insight, because I've been tinkering with a new piece of digital tea leaf reading this morning, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared. Enter *Tombwater*, a 2D Soulslike that's not just taking notes from FromSoftware's masterpiece, but it’s actively trying to conjure its own unique brand of nightmare fuel. And you know what? It might just work.
Now, some of you might recognise the name Max Mraz. He’s the clever wizard behind *Yarntown*, that adorable (yet still unsettling) 2D *Zeldalike* take on *Bloodborne* from 2020. After dabbling in a few more top-down adventures, he’s back with *Tombwater*, which sounds like *Yarntown*'s elder, slightly more unhinged sibling. And this time, he’s decided to smash the eldritch horrors of *Bloodborne* right into the dusty, unforgiving landscape of the Wild West.
Sounds like a mad experiment, doesn't it? Like accidentally conjuring a tentacled cowboy. But here’s the kicker: it works with a surprising amount of grace. You step into the boots of a gunslinger, moseying into the titular town of *Tombwater* on a quest to find a former train-robbing buddy who’s apparently gone respectable as the sheriff. Naturally, this isn't some quaint reunion. This town is cursed, infested with all manner of beasties eager to make you their next snack. Initially, you're squaring off against fellow outlaws, all gun-toting or blade-swinging. But as you dig deeper – and you *will* dig deeper, because curiosity is a powerful, often deadly, motivator – things get properly grotesque. Think humans with writhing, bloody tentacles erupting from their chests, or reanimated, rotting animal carcasses still somehow hungry for your blood. It’s a beautifully rendered, simplified 2D pixel-art nightmare, and it genuinely ramps up the creep factor.
Your arsenal in *Tombwater* is a delightful blend of the familiar and the fresh. You’ve got your melee weapons, of course, but also a healthy selection of firearms and a few spells to spice things up. What’s genuinely neat is the variety. I found myself swapping out gear constantly, trying out a knife that barely scratches but refills my precious bullets, or a pistol that slowly freezes enemies with enough well-placed shots. It's got that *Bloodborne* satisfaction of finding a combo that just *clicks*.
Combat, as you'd hope from a spiritual successor, is speedy. There's even a charm that lets you regain some health by striking back after taking a hit – a direct, loving nod to *Bloodborne*'s iconic rally mechanic. And let's be honest, for us *Bloodborne* addicts, that's like finding a warm blanket in a blizzard. You're going to keep that equipped, aren't you?
Where *Tombwater* really starts carving out its own identity, though, is with its firearms. In *Bloodborne*, guns were mostly for parrying, a quick stun to set up a visceral attack. Here? Nah, mate, these revolvers and rifles pack a serious punch. I reckon I relied on them, and a liberal scattering of grenades, more than my melee weapons in a good few scrapes. There’s a primal satisfaction in scooting away from a monstrous brute and dropping it from afar with a perfectly aimed shot. Gets the blood pumping, that does.
Now, for a spot of gentle skepticism, because even the best spells have their unpredictable fizzles. The defensive options in *Tombwater* are a bit... limited. Don't go looking for a robust parry system here; it's mostly about dodging. And while dodging works, it's not always as smooth as you might want. Couple that with some boss arenas being tighter than a magician’s top hat, and you can easily find yourself trapped in a corner, flailing for an escape that just isn't there. It's a small niggle, but one that can lead to some truly frustrating moments when you're caught between a monster and a hard place.
Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Soulslike without some truly gnarly boss encounters, and *Tombwater* delivers in spades. What's curious is that they don't always hit you with the expected difficulty right out of the gate. My first few attempts against an early, stationary bomb-throwing behemoth felt almost *too* easy. Then, *poof*, full health bar, monster transformation, and I was promptly turned into a fine red mist. A good lesson in never trusting an easy start. Later, I was properly humbled by a monstrosity that looked suspiciously like a pixel-art Cleric Beast. My initial thought? "Pfft, an NPC offering help? I've been wiping the floor with these chumps!" Two hits later, and I was back at the campfire, contemplating my hubris and the surprising utility of a good distraction. That's the moment it truly clicked: the patience, the openings, the tactical use of cannon fodder – it all mirrors that glorious, hard-earned thrill of conquering a *Bloodborne* boss.
And that's where *Tombwater* really succeeds, isn't it? It's not just aping its inspiration; it’s building upon it, twisting it into something genuinely unique. It captures that essence of desperate struggle, cosmic dread, and hard-won triumph that makes *Bloodborne* so utterly beloved, but then wraps it in a fresh, Wild West-horror package. We might still be dreaming of *Bloodborne 2*, but whilst we wait, games like *Tombwater* prove that the spirit of Yharnam can manifest in the most unexpected and exciting ways. And honestly, mate, that's a pretty good deal.
Tags: Soulslike, Indie Game, Bloodborne, 2D Action, Wild West Horror
Original article: Polygon