“Tombwater” Unveils An Impressive Map Of Metroidvania Progression and Zelda-Like Exploration

Tombwater is a 2D souls-like action RPG from solo developer Max Mraz of Moth Atlas, published by Midwest Games. Launching on Windows PC via Steam in 2025, the game puts players in the boots of a lone gunslinger. After Sheriff Elliott Flintwood disappears, the gunslinger rides into the haunted frontier town of Tombwater to uncover the truth. The once-thriving silver mining community now sits in ruin, consumed by madness and Eldritch horrors.

On Friday, Midwest Games and Mraz shared the game’s full in-game map, revealing nearly twenty interconnected biomes. The world follows a classic Metroidvania structure. Players can explore some areas freely, while others require new abilities, specific items, or major boss victories to access. The playable demo, available now, features the Spanish Fort region. This is just 5% of the full map. Mraz compared the world’s scope to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, explaining that after six hours of play, they hadn’t even reached the halfway point. The full game also includes hidden zones like mines, sewers, tunnels, and the mysterious Lost City deep within the mountains.

When Tombwater arrives, players can expect 20 to 25 hours of gameplay filled with secrets, monsters, and a gritty descent into darkness.

What We Can Expect

• 2D Top-Down Souls-Like: Experience a Souls-Like from a new perspective. Nostalgic, gruesomely detailed pixel art in a top-down view with every classic Souls-Like mechanic.
• Map & Quest Log: Keep track of your progress as you explore the inter-connected Wild West town of Tombwater with a map and quest log.
• Apothecary Crafting: Helpful tonics, explosives and more can be crafted from materials you find while exploring to help aid you in battle.
• Gruesome Boss Fights: Experience 20+ horrifying boss battles that will threaten to drive you to madness.

My Thoughts

Tombwater is still right up Zack’s alley, and we’re hoping to get a review copy for him. If he decides to pass, I’ll gladly step in, even if the term “Souls-like” terrifies me. That said, everything about Tombwater looks fantastic. The sprawling Zelda-esque map and NES-style visuals are practically designed to inject nostalgia straight into my cerebral cortex and remind me of the joy I felt during my younger years.

Check out the 58 minute mark of the podcast episode from May 8th, 2025 when the GO Cast interviewed Max Mraz from Moth Atlas! You can also check out the Youtube version of that interview!

Check out the trailer below!