The Mound’s scariest idea is a squad that can’t trust what it sees

ACE Team, the studio behind The Evil Within series, is stepping into Lovecraftian horror with The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu, and the first gameplay trailer makes one thing clear: this isn’t your typical co-op adventure. The showcase, presented at Nacon Connect 2026, reveals a cursed jungle where reality itself seems to warp around players, with monstrous creatures lurking in every shadow. Art director Edmundo Bordeu’s commentary teases a game where exploration and survival are equally critical—treasure hunts devolve into frantic escapes as the environment turns against you.

The trailer’s focus on four-player co-op is particularly intriguing. Most horror games relegate multiplayer to asymmetric experiences or competitive modes, but The Mound leans into shared chaos. The jungle isn’t just a backdrop; it’s an active participant in the horror, with threats that adapt to player behavior. If the gameplay lives up to the trailer’s promise, it could redefine co-op horror by making teamwork both a necessity and a liability.

For now, the biggest question is how deeply the game will embrace its Lovecraftian roots—will the story be a shallow homage, or will it dive into the existential dread that defines the genre? Watch the official gameplay showcase here.

The source material also shows that what sets The Mound apart from other co-op horror games is its emphasis on expedition mechanics. Unlike titles where players are confined to linear levels or scripted encounters, The Mound appears to encourage open-ended exploration, with environmental hazards and creature behaviors that shift dynamically. The trailer hints at a world where every decision—whether to fight, flee, or hide—carries weight, and where the jungle’s curse isn’t just a narrative device but a gameplay mechanic.

Early community reactions have been a mix of excitement and skepticism. Fans of ACE Team’s previous work are optimistic, given the studio’s track record of blending horror with innovative gameplay. However, some worry that the game’s ambitious scope could lead to technical hiccups or uneven pacing, especially in co-op. The lack of a confirmed release date or platform details hasn’t helped, leaving players to speculate about whether The Mound will launch as a timed exclusive or hit all major systems at once.

For now, the trailer’s biggest achievement is making the game’s premise feel tangible. The cursed jungle isn’t just a setting; it’s a character in its own right, one that promises to test players’ wits, reflexes, and ability to work together. If ACE Team can deliver on even half of what the trailer suggests, The Mound could become a standout in a genre that’s long overdue for fresh ideas.