If you have been looking for something a bit different in the extraction shooter space, The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu offers a distinct shift from the usual modern military gear. Set in 17th-century South America, this upcoming title from Ace Team puts you in the boots of Spanish explorers armed with little more than muskets, crucifixes, and a desperate need for loot.
Ace Team—the studio behind Zeno Clash and The Eternal Cylinder—is taking a unique approach to Lovecraftian horror. Rather than sticking to the 1920s setting of the original novella, the developers have transplanted the dread to a colonial-era jungle. It is an interesting choice, particularly given the studio's Chilean roots and their perspective on the history of Spanish conquistadors.
Survival in a Hostile Jungle
The core gameplay loop centers on rowing from your galleon to the mainland. Once you arrive, you are tasked with gathering supplies, rescuing stranded sailors, and hunting for treasure. However, the environment is far from hospitable. The jungle is populated by creatures inspired by Lovecraftian horror, and the deeper you go, the more the reality of the game begins to fray.
Players can expect a chaotic experience where the environment itself feels like an antagonist. The game utilizes a system that feels akin to Left 4 Dead, where the jungle acts as a sleeping presence. As you make noise and blunder through the area, you risk waking it up. Things quickly spiral out of control: characters may find themselves hallucinating, mistaking allies for enemies, or navigating glitching environments where spike pits and solid ground shift without warning.
The Road to Launch
The game’s aesthetic is built on truly grotesque creature designs, and the team seems to be leaning heavily into the uncanny. With the full release coming on July 15, 2026, players who want a preview can already access a demo on Steam.
There is, however, a cloud hanging over the project. Publisher Nacon filed for insolvency in February, leaving questions about how the project will navigate the publisher's financial challenges. For now, the focus remains on the bizarre, tentacle-filled expedition that Ace Team has built. Whether you are there for the loot or just to gather Dihuene mushrooms for the evening meal, the jungle at The Mound promises to be a disorienting experience.