Welcome to Into Indie Games’ beginner guide for The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu.
It’s a solo/co-op psychological horror game where you can group up with your friends as you navigate a cursed jungle in search of treasures. Danger is everywhere as you need to stay clear-headed to tame the jungle and come out alive.
The early few hours of the game can be extremely difficult as you learn the many mechanics and hidden systems of the game. Our beginner’s guide will offer you six handy tips and tricks to make the early game easier.
For more information about The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu, check out their Steam page here.
Table of contents
Understanding the Objective
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu doesn’t hold your hand and guide you through the zones, which can make the early game a bit confusing. But the core idea of the game is simple. You start at the Galleon after choosing a character. When you’re ready, head to the top deck and check available Contracts by inspecting the table near the Captain. The objective of most Contracts is to find Treasures worth a certain amount.
After choosing a Contract, you’ll be able to pick up items for the expedition at the weapons rack and table behind the Captain. When you’re ready, interact with the Captain’s table again and choose the location. Then stand at the marked spot on the Galleon to start your expedition.
After arriving at the expedition map location, you need to explore the zone, picking up Tulu Metal Artifacts and Idols. When you find an Idol, remember to put it into the Ox Wagon, or it will eat up space in your limited inventory. When you’re ready to extract, return to the map’s starting location and speak to the boatman to end your expedition.
This will take you back to the Galleon, where the Captain will tally your haul and will reward you depending on your performance. As you complete more contracts, you’ll earn Upgrade Tokens and be able to level up your Rank.
Co-Op vs Solo Play
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu can be played solo or with up to three other players, and there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Playing solo reduces the enemy density, and you also don’t have to worry about accidentally stabbing your teammate because you’re hallucinating. But you’ll be severely limited in inventory space, and fighting off a group of enemies will become a lot more difficult. If you’re playing solo, we suggest sticking to Basic Contracts at least until you’re comfortable with all the systems in the game.
If you’re playing the game Co-Op, communication becomes extremely important. The hallucinations in the game aren’t the same for all players. Sometimes, you might hallucinate a monster and accidentally attack your teammate. Sometimes your teammate might see a path where there’s a pit of spikes. Clear communication will help you verify whether someone is hallucinating and prevent unnecessary risk.
Another big advantage of playing Co-Op is the extra inventory space you can spare because of multiple players. You’ll be able to bring back more treasures each time you make the trek back to the Ox Wagon.
Noise Attracts Monsters
The noise you make while moving through the jungle can make all the difference when it comes to your Expedition’s success. Constant sprinting from point A to point B, using firearms without a second thought, or even just ringing the Medallion any chance you get is a good way to attract monsters and end your run prematurely.
Instead, adopt a stealthy approach whenever you’re out exploring. When you spot a monster in the distance, don’t just pop a shot at it. Try to sneak around and get behind it to use your melee weapon and take it down without causing any noise. Remain aware of your surroundings whenever you’re firing your weapon.
Check the Equipment Before Accepting a Contract
Before accepting a Contract on the Galleon, take a moment to check the equipment available for the expedition. Every Contract comes with a fixed selection of weapons and equipment, and some will let you choose between multiple options before you start your expedition.
Keep in mind that the equipment is shared across your entire party. If a Contract includes a single Flintlock Pistol, only one player can carry it. The same rule applies to every weapon and provisions provided for that expedition.
During the early game, when you have limited resources and very few upgrades, it’s worth prioritizing Contracts with equipment that suits your team’s playstyle. Decide who will carry each weapon and utility before leaving the Galleon. A bit of planning before you set off can make the expedition much smoother.
You Don’t Have to Complete Every Contract
Just because you accept a Contract doesn’t mean you have to collect all the Treasures before you can return to the Galleon. Even if you don’t manage to tally up enough Treasures, you can still talk to the Boatman to end your expedition. The only downside will be that you won’t earn the Tokens you would normally for completing the Contract.
This becomes useful if things don’t pan out the way you want and you need to make a quick escape. Being greedy isn’t a good idea when you can return with partial loot. If a teammate gets their Sanity depleted, or if constant fights dwindle your resources, consider heading back to the Galleon and starting over instead of losing all your loot trying to push forward.
Stay Near the Ox Wagon
The Ox Wagon is your best friend when you’re out on an expedition. During the early hours, you’d think that it’s just a tool for managing your inventory and bringing back treasures easily to the Galleon. But it also has a couple of hidden benefits that can make your expeditions much easier.
As the Ox Wagon moves across the map, it leaves a streak of paint on the ground. Since the map in The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu can get very confusing, this line can often serve as an anchor when you’re exploring. Follow the streak to the start point to find your way back to the boat easily when you’re ready to extract.
The Ox Wagon also helps manage your team’s Sanity. The game doesn’t have a visible Sanity meter, so it can be difficult to tell when your characters are beginning to lose their grip on reality. Staying close to the Ox Wagon from time to time helps reduce your Insanity, making it a good idea to regroup around it regularly, especially during longer runs.
This concludes our beginner’s guide for The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu. For more interesting articles related to indie games, check out the links below:
- Into Indie Games Homepage
- Moss: The Forgotten Relic – Walkthrough Hub
- The Incident at Galley House Walkthrough Hub
- Forest Escape: Last Train – Guides Hub
- Lumina Veil Walkthrough Hub
Muhit Rahman lives off two things: gaming marathons and endless cups of tea. He writes guides, reviews, and occasionally forgets that real life doesn’t come with checkpoints. His favorite genres are Soulslike and Metroidvania, with Dark Souls III, Hollow Knight, and Dota 2 forever holding top spots on his all-time list.
