10 Pro Tips to Master the Memento Mortem in Return of the Obra Dinn

1. Use the Memento Mortem Methodically

The Memento Mortem is your primary tool. When you find a corpse, press the trigger to hear the final moments of that person's death. Pay attention to every detail: the environment, voices, sounds, and any visual cues. Don't rush—replay the scene multiple times to catch subtle hints like a distant shout or a glimpse of a uniform.

2. Start with Clear Identifications

Begin by identifying the easiest crew members. Look at the ship's roster and match names to faces using the initial chapters. The Captain, the Bosun, and the Surgeon have distinctive uniforms and are often mentioned by name. Locking in these early fates gives you a foundation to build upon.

3. Create a Mental Map of the Ship

Travel to different compartments freely using the overworld map. Familiarize yourself with the ship's layout: the poop deck, forecastle, steerage, etc. Knowing where a death occurred helps you narrow down the identity of the victim based on their role and location at the time of death.

4. Listen Closely to Voices and Accents

Each character has a unique voice actor and often a distinct accent or manner of speaking. The game's audio logbook can help you compare voices. Many sailors are addressed by rank or nickname in the death scenes—use those auditory clues to link faces to names.

5. Cross-Reference with the Book of the Honourable East India Company

This in-game book contains a crew list with portraits, roles, and nationalities. Use it to match faces to names when you have a visual. Remember, not all clues are in the death scenes; the book itself holds vital information about who was on board and their duties.

6. Use the Skeleton's Unique Features

When examining a corpse, zoom in on the skeleton. Note any distinguishing features: missing teeth, scars, uniforms, or accessories like rings and watches. These can be matched to the crew members' portraits in the book. The deckhands often have similar clothes, but officers have distinct attire.

7. Group Deaths by Chapter

The game is divided into chapters, each representing a specific event. Deaths that occur in the same chapter are likely connected. Solving the chain of events in one chapter can help you identify multiple fates at once. For example, a mutiny scene may involve several sailors whose actions are interlinked.

8. Look for Repeated Names or Roles

Many crew members refer to each other by name or role in their final moments. If you hear someone called "Mr. Vane" or "the gunner," you have a direct link to that person's identity. Keep a mental note of these references and cross-check with the crew list.

9. Don't Guess—Use Deductive Reasoning

The game rewards careful logic over blind guesses. Entering a wrong deduction consumes an extra impossibility mark, and three wrongs end the game. Only make a final identification when you have at least two solid clues pointing to the same person. If unsure, skip it and gather more evidence from other scenes.

10. Take Breaks and Revisit Old Scenes

The Obra Dinn is dense with interconnected mysteries. If you're stuck, step away and come back later. Revisit earlier chapters with new knowledge from later ones—sometimes a detail you missed becomes obvious after understanding the full story. The game respects your intellect; stick with it until the final fate is sealed.