Tombs are some of the most fun, if harrowing, adventures, and Shallow Graves is an exciting game for these ghoulish campaigns. A self-proclaimed "Tombpunk" TTRPG, Shallow Graves is a viciously cruel TTRPG where everything is trying to kill you. Face hidden traps, savage skeletons, chaos cultists, and a whole lot more with nothing but an old mace and a dented old helmet. If you're looking for action-packed dungeon crawls, Tombpunk might be the system for you.
As for how Tombpunk actually plays, it's very far into the OSR spectrum. With only the slightest of modern design ethos for accessibility, Tombpunk is very much a 70s TTRPG come to (un)life. Creator Alan Bahr designed the rules to make things fun, fast and frankly, dirty. Tombpunk games are rough-and-tumble affairs with minimal story and maximum impact. There are even rules for solo RPG adventures, if that's more your drift.
As for the "punk" aspect, that comes from the fascinating premise. The players are oppressed drones who adventure not for fame or glory, but simple survival. They toll in the tombs for corrupt lords who take their hard-earned work then spit in their face. But as any good punk games should, there will come a chance to sock these aristocrats right in the jaw. Preferably after a good old revolution.
But don't take the simplicity for a lack of depth. As a rules-lite system, it is ripe for expansion, as Shallow Graves proves. The Kickstarter campaign promises six new adventures for the system, on top of reprints for the updated rules. It features a gorgeously bright neon artstyle that contrasts against the medieval aesthetic. Best of all, it's all human made, as the creators proudly state.
Honestly, it's the art style that has me so captivated for Tombpunk. The system itself is relatively straightforward (by design) for an OSR game. But instead of going for a classical fantasy look, I adore the hyper stylized Tombpunk style. Neon is not something one normally associates with gritty fantasy, so the contrast makes these one-and-done adventures far cooler.
The Shallow Graves Kickstarter campaign ends on November 25, 2025.
If you prefer taverns over tombs, the Wargamer Discord has plenty of patrons to chat up. For other tabletop alternatives, the best tabletop RPGs guide can be of service.