Analytic Dreamz: Notorious Mass Effect - "THE MOUND: OMEN OF CTHULHU SALES & REVIEW ROUND-UP"

Episode Date: July 25, 2026

Linktree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠⁠Join The Normandy For Ad-Free NME, Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠⁠ Analytic Dreamz delivers a concise breakdown of The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (2026) on Notorious Mass Effect. Developed by ACE Team and published by Nacon, this co-op first-person survival horror extraction game draws from H.P. Lovecraft’s novella and launched July 15, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The segment explores its 17th-century Chilean jungle setting, standout madness system causing hallucinations and paranoia, combat mechanics, handcrafted areas, technical launch issues, estimated 70,000-90,000 Steam sales, Metacritic score near 69, Steam reviews, community feedback, and overall strengths in atmosphere and multiplayer tension.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Shepard, promise me you'll tell them to subscribe for ad free content. Now ladies and gentlemen, over here in notorious Mass Effect, of course we get into the games and music IPs that currently is notoriously affecting the masses. But safe to say, you guys, this is a very interesting case. As for this brand new IP, you know, shout out to the gaming industry for new IPs, you know what I'm saying. They come out every now and then, but do a lot of them notoriously affect the masses, of course not. But then you realize on the Steam platform, analytic dreams, video on Spotify to see the video along with the audio. Basically, as you can see right here,

you guys. One, the actual. See, that's the problem. I know that ain't who I think of it is. Now, this is all going to make sense in a second on while we're covering this particular game. But as of right now, when you look at the Steam charts and you know, a thousand players is pretty solid no matter what type of creator you are. Right?

You get 1,000 people time and time again. That means somebody isn't. enjoying your product, right? The all-time peak, though, of six days ago being 5,5,525, and the 24-hour peak being 3,900, I mean, it's not the greatest, right? You know? You feel me? Just look at the state of gaming.

Like, what is going on? So you're probably wondering why we're covering this game in the first place, if we're covering the biggest gaming IPs currently notoriously affecting the masses. but the reason why we're covering the mound omen of Cthulhu is because this game did just come out July 15th, 2026. But of course, when you look at consoles specifically, it is performing tremendously, as it is currently the fifth most play game on Xbox. And when you look at PlayStation, it is also the fifth most play game on PlayStation. Now, the reason why I started off with Steam is to let you know that even though one of the platforms, may not have your product notoriously affecting the masses.

There's always other platforms out there that could get you to the audience that you are wanting, right? So as of right now, I think the main reason between the console and the PC discreferencee is because based off of reports, apparently, Steam and the reviews, I'm not going to say it deters people from the video game, But I think, especially with this being more crossplay co-op focus, more people have the game pass and have a PS5 and would rather play on those platforms and play on PC.

But specifically speaking, the ongoing patches for performance slash crossplay on PC does not help any, it doesn't help out a lot. Right. And of course, you start to look at the stronger console visibility marketing strategy. and now it starts to make sense. It starts to make sense why it's the top five game on Xbox and PlayStation. So with that out the way, the main thing I wanted to say is this is a new IP. So I think this is a phenomenal W for the development team as far as Ace Team. And of course, for the publishing team as far as, is it Nakon?

Is it how you say? Na-Shan. Nekon? I have no idea. I guess it's tomato-tomato. But when you look at Ace Team and Nakon, The main thing with Ace team as far as the developers is they are a Chilean indie studio in Santiago, founded in 1998 through 99 by brothers Andreas, Carlos, and Edmundo Bordeaux.

And of course, when you look at this particular development studio, they're known for genre blending games like Xeno Clash in 2009, the Rock of Ages series, Abyss Odyssey, the Deadly Tower of Monsters, the Eternal Cylinder, in 2021 basically it's a lot of obscure type of angles in artist's direction the ace team consistently does right so with this particular game it's very interesting as the mound omen of kathulu with it being developed by ace team and it being a new IP i think it's performing at a certain level to where it could go either way right it could completely fall off or with the correct marketing strategy it could keep affecting the masses like his current

doing as far as being a top five most play game on Xbox and PS5 so the main thing when it comes to the publishers of course Nacon formerly Big Ben Interactive is a French publisher and accessories maker based in Les Quinn I think that's how you say it and publish games and design controllers slash headsets and when it comes to that when it comes to the revenue drivers or revenue earners is basically accessories like I just said in the description making nine no making around 20 to around 9 to 22 million as far as through the accessories and of course their top drivers also is the pack back catalog games to select new releases as far as racing slash sports titles horr slash co-op and peripherals so when you look at nacon facing an insolvency

proceedings in early 2026 amid parent group issues you come to really that not only is the Mount Omen of Cthulhu a success on console, but it may be just what NACON needed at just the right time. Because of course, early 2026 was not too long ago. Ladies and gentlemen, it was seven months into 2026. So with this being a successful game, I think it would be in NACON's best interest to have a successful marketing strategy expeditiously, right?

So that be said, you're probably wondering what this game is about. And same, you know what I'm saying? My fault. You know, of course, I did a lot of research and I looked it up just for y'all. You know what I mean? Nothing too crazy. Oh, you ain't got to do all that. I mean, Drewski, they ain't got to do all that.

Just make sure to rate this five stars. You know what I'm saying? Nothing too crazy. So when it comes to the mound of Cthuloo, or the mound omen of Cthuloo, it's a co-op first-person action adventures, survival horror extraction game. I know that's a lot, but stay with me. It is inspired by HP Lovecraft's 1940. novel, The mound.

The game reimagines the story in a 17th century Chilean jungle where Spanish conquistadors search for treasure in the underground city, Kayen, inhabited by followers of elder gods, including Cthulhu. Now, there was a lot of words for this game is a little abstract if I do say so myself. You know what I'm saying? Just look at the state of- I mean, we're looking at it. going on. As far as this particular artist's direction is still notoriously affecting the

masses on console. I mean, I think that's an accomplishment itself. But expounding upon this particular game, of course, as far as the gameplay loop, players began to board the Tempestad Galian accept contracts, equipped 17th century weapons, flintlocks, match locks, bows, knives, lanterns, etc. And explore a cursed jungle. Now, I don't know about y'all. but as a black man I mean so like I said you know as a black man representing the black community

you know what I'm saying it's not many too times I want to revisit the past now I feel like the reasons speak for itself right

but for some people they love going in the past and playing particular projects right so this game would definitely be the type of game for those people

who want to explore the past and more specifically to 17th century. So the main thing you're going to be doing in this game as far as the core gameplay loop is resource management, stealth and exploration, extraction-based gameplay, and you're going to share equipment amongst teammates. Once again, it's one to four players.

And when it comes to death, it causes loss of most collected gear. Because, of course, once again, it's the extraction-based gameplay. Compared to one of the more popular games, well, I'm trying to be rude, but it's one of the more popular extraction games as far as Marathon. Let's just put it like that. Let's just say bungee's going through a lot. So anyways,

with that being saying, there is a unique feature as far as the madness system, which is inspired by eternal darkness. I guess it's one of the earlier games. And basically, the increasing insanity causes hallucination,

fake sounds, visual distortions, screen effects like flies, interference, enemies disguises, steam it. Hold on. No. So you're telling me, if I'm playing with somebody,

and I start hallucinating, there could be random imaginary villains behind my teammates. Are they going to call me crazy? You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Whole time, I'm going to be trying to play the game. I'm going to look around. I'm going to be like, hold on now.

There's an enemy right behind you. They're going to be like, hold on where? Whole time is in my head. I don't know what I'm saying? I don't know. That's a pretty cool feature. So anyways, and then of course recorded teammates' voices slash laugh.

used to deceive players. So that reminds me of certain horror games like, I forget the game when you get a lot. I forget what that game is called. I think RDC plays it a lot. It's some type of horror game where you collect and there's like duplicate sometimes that act like your teammates, but really they're just fakes trying to kill you, right? So I forget what the game's called. But basically it reminds me of horror aspects and that makes sense because this is technically a horror game. I mean, you're in a you're in a cursed jungle. So I mean, it just, doesn't get much of a horror setting than that. So a much more of a horror setting than that. So as far as the combat, you have mix of melee and firearms, period. Weapons can malfunction

during the rain, such as during the rain. That's one of the examples. Solo mode is available, but significantly harder because AI companions are weaker than human teammates. So if you don't have friends, I don't know what to tell you. You know what I'm saying? Like, if you ain't got friends, like if you are just supremely lonely. All right, my fault. They get the point. So basically, as far as the playable characters, there's about eight. So there's eight playable characters, primarily cosmetic rather than class base, including Alonso di Latour. Hopefully I'm not messing these pronunciations up. Leonor. Leonor, Don Rodrigo Di Medina, Frey Gaspar, Beatriz, Hassan, Juana, and additional unlockable slash D.L.C. characters. a progression. So when it comes to that, I know my nine to five workers, you know what I'm saying? I know, I got your cover. You know what I'm saying? Oh, come on, Drusky. They ain't got to do all that. But when it comes to my nine to five workers out there, you would be pleased to know that the main

story will only take you 12 to 15 hours. I know that. So you know what I'm saying? Come on now. Somebody respecting our time out there. So this game definitely respects your time. But guess what, ladies and gentlemen, if you want to be a completionist, which, At that point, the amount of time you spend on the game is up to you, right? Apparently, though, to be a completion is it will take you 50 plus hours, right? But keep in mind, the main story is 12 to 15 hours. And of course, reapplayability comes from the extraction gameplay loop, contracts ranging from basic to legendary, randomized enemy encounters, and madness effects.

So to me, personally, somebody who hasn't played the game, going off of the research based on people who have played the game. I'm thinking the most interesting aspect will be playing with friends you get along with that should go without saying. But especially the hallucinations, I think could cause for a lot of comedic elements in this particular and your particular gameplay run with your friends.

So I can see this game being a hit amongst people who have a certain gamer friend group who enjoy these type of games because it's pretty abstract. The artist's direction is pretty unique. And if you have three to four, three friends that would play this game with you. I can see you having a fun time.

Now, that brings me to my next point. So when it comes to complaints for this particular game, of course, it's still doing phenomenal, right? Before we get to the complaints, as far as doing phenomenal, out the game, it had 70,000 to 90,000 Steam copies as far as estimates, right? But the estimated revenue was in the low millions because I do not believe this game is a lot of money. Now, by not a lot of money, I mean, this game is about.

Let me see. I think it should have it on Steam. This game, I don't know. Let me see. This game should be about, what, $29.99? That's what's what's looking like right here. Some versions say $31. Some say $2,99. But basically, it's not the full $70.

So, and totality. I think this may be a good bang for your buck type of game if you want to play with friends just to spice it up as far as the game play or the games that you're playing. As far as the game rotation, this may be one of those games that. you could throw in there with your buddies and have a blast, right? So off of that, I think the low millions is because of the price point that they set. But the main story only be a 12 to 15 hours makes sense on why it's not just an overall $70 game. And of course, with this being a new IP, you have to do everything possible to make your game stand down nowadays,

especially with a plethora of games coming into the gaming industry and being super competitive out the gate, such as taskbar heroes such as Power One. Power One point O, Power, been around, right? But now Power World 1.0 came out and people acting like it's a brand new game. So the competition is tremendous. Even on console, the reason why the mound is such a surprising hit on consoles is because College Football is about to come out, 2K's about to come out. I think the pre-orders up now, right?

And then, of course, you have Call of Duty that just released something so that now is back in the top five. Avatar Legends is in pre-order. Black Flag is currently the third most play game on PlayStation. I mean, there's a lot of competition out there. So when you look at the top games on PlayStation specifically, I believe not only are you competing with ball and gun games currently being in pre-order, but you're also competing with the masses

as far as all the plet of horror co-op games on Steam. So with that being said, I think right now it's doing fantastic I think when it comes to the Xbox Game Pass that may be the best platform if you have an Xbox is not an ad of course but if you have an Xbox it may be the best platform to get this particular

game on especially with the game pass with this game being on a game pass but for the pros and cons now it's time to getting that you know what I'm saying? So when it comes to the praise the masses are saying that it's an excellent

lovecraft atmosphere innovative sanity system once again that's one of the things that jumped out to me just reading it on paper right the amount of innovative horror aspects as far as the hallucination effects i think it's pretty interesting especially uh with the friend group the strong horror when playing with friends unique historical setting and in a great sound and environmental design and now it's time to get into the critics as the negatives for this game from the masses is it the combat lacks polish progression field shell They say there's a lot of technical issues. AI companion weakness. Once again, we said that earlier with the description of the game. And then they also say that some players felt it resembled an early access game despite full release. So just giving you an objective pro and con list of what the masses are saying currently about the mound omen of Cthulu. And when it comes to that, I think the main takeaways for this particular game is the madness mechanic.

I think the uniqueness of it and the effects it can have during your gameplay loop with other friends, it's very interesting in my opinion. But of course, if you aren't, if that's not attracting you, the handcraft exploration instead of procedural maps, the overall atmosphere, I think is also a unique atmosphere, especially when you look at the gaming field right now as far as the type of games that look like this, there's not that many, right? and then of course the blending of historical colonial themes with cosmic horror while adding direct portraying the Mapuche people as Cotis. I think that aspect as far as the story elements is unique as well.

So those are the pros and cons I have as far as from the masses. Now, of course, when it comes to the actual reviews, you already know we have that on deck as when it comes to, I think I was going to read off IG as to start up, but I don't think I see it on here. When it comes to, hold on, come a second. If I know how to type. Okay, after that, Mickey Research, safe to say, now we have the actual list. Shout out to me, you know what I mean?

20 since going on 80. So, with that being said, after some technical difficulties, the main thing I was going to get into, especially the review Roundup, is that a lot of the criticisms definitely seem to be around the, oh yeah, here we go. Okay, so basically IGN.

Do I have IGN? I have CG magazine. I wanted to start off for IGN, I guess. Yeah, here we go. IGN gave this game a 7 out of 10 saying, quote, if you have a reliable group to play with, basically saying if you have friends, you know what I'm saying? My fault.

I mean, I was just translating. Anyways, getting back into IGN's review. Quote, The Mount Omen of Cthulhu can be a challenging and entertaining horror excursion. Sometimes it feels a bit too oppressive, though it could benefit a lot of more, a lot more I'm tripping

it could benefit a lot for more nuanced difficulty options especially for introducing newer players into a high level group still clever sanity effects

great enemy variety and an expanse of airy majestic jungle to explore are enough that this one will probably stay in my cruise rotation when we're up for something

heart pounding and that's basically what I was saying as far as this being a unique game if you have a group of friends that prefer these obscure type of games and they want to have some type of horror element so anyways i think as far as uh um october if this game would it would not because gta you never mind they had a good release with this so so anyways um cg magazine gave it an eight out of ten saying quote the mound omen of cutulu is an atmospheric and well realized take on the cuthulu mythos delivering a a solid cooperative experience that fans looking for a challenge will want to set sail tours.

And they say that my biggest issue with the Mount Omen of Cthulhu is one of difficulty. With the early game being relatively hard, this makes at least a three-man team almost compulsory. Once you find your footing, however, the Mount Omen of Cthulhu has a rock solid foundation that will spell a good time for those looking for a cooperative experience to play. with their friends you know what I'm saying and then last but definitely in at least let's go with gaming boat giving it a six out of

10 just to get all the perspectives gaming boat gave it a six at six at 10 saying quote the mound is an intriguing mix of ideas if nothing else but even without the iffy gameplay it eventually boils down to a repetitive

slog well they you know they gave you the opinion look at the state of gaming like what is going on So that being said, I think this is not one of the more quality level games out there. I think it's just a fun experience, especially with friends who love abstract-type adventures, and they don't mind certain hallucination type of effects, especially if it's Halloween season, right? I think this game could boost it, have a huge increase in sales during the Halloween time as far as October.

Well, you know, we'll have to wait to see if that comes into fruition. with that be I said click my link to share you my bio to follow me in my social media and of course if you're on Spotify and if you're and if you play this game with your friends let me know the most interesting horror aspect about the game and what do you like most about it and why Thank you.