A heartfelt and artistically crafted adventure, South of Midnight stands out as a visually memorable and emotionally rich experience, even if its gameplay foundation remains familiar.
A Journey Through Power and Purpose
In one of the opening segments of South of Midnight, the protagonist Hazel begins to understand the magical abilities she’s recently inherited. This moment acts as a tone-setter for the rest of the roughly 12-hour adventure, reflecting what developer Compulsion Games aims to achieve throughout the experience. Drawing deeply from the folklore of the American South, the game builds a narrative that’s both intimate and expansive. The result is a straightforward action-adventure elevated by a strong sense of identity and a resonant thematic core. Despite not reinventing the genre, South of Midnight distinguishes itself with a cohesive and expressive artistic vision, making it a notable entry among Xbox exclusives.
Hazel’s unique connection to a mystical realm allows her to use threads of ethereal energy in two crucial ways: to combat malevolent forces and to unravel the hidden stories of her community in the fictional town of Prospero. Though imagined, Prospero feels grounded in authentic Southern experiences—abandoned buildings tell stories of hardship, floods mark the terrain, and remnants of past trauma linger in the architecture. Through this lens, the game unpacks larger themes such as generational pain, guilt, and the struggles that exist within families.
Gameplay With Familiar Rhythms
In terms of gameplay mechanics, South of Midnight opts for simplicity. Players move through largely linear levels that alternate between climbing sequences and combat arenas. Exploration is rewarded with collectibles like journal pages from townsfolk or upgrades that improve Hazel’s abilities and health. While fans of titles like Tomb Raider or Uncharted may find the platforming familiar, the game’s Southern atmosphere—from crumbling towns to lush riversides—adds an immersive quality. Hazel’s powers allow her to soar through the air, manifest tools, or clear new paths, maintaining a good flow from one moment to the next. While puzzles are minimal, the traversal and chase sequences, especially those ending each major chapter, create a satisfying pace.
Combat segments take place in confined arenas where Hazel battles twisted spirits known as Haints, which represent emotional anguish and suffering. These encounters are spaced out well enough to avoid monotony. Although the core mechanics aren’t especially innovative, the combat system feels grounded and rewarding. Hazel’s arsenal—ranging from stunning weaves to grappling attacks—offers a small but enjoyable variety of techniques. Stringing together combos, dodging at the perfect moment, and watching the damage accumulate keeps the gameplay loop engaging.
Memorable Encounters and Distinct Style
Haints are designed with enough diversity to keep battles engaging. Some are quick and elusive, while others are large and capable of devastating area damage. These enemies appear in varying combinations, and Hazel’s companion puppet Crouton can possess them temporarily, introducing light strategy to target prioritization. Boss fights add a layer of drama, though their design often leans on familiar mechanics rather than innovation.
Where South of Midnight truly shines is in its visual and artistic presentation. The characters are brought to life with painterly designs and an eye-catching stop-motion animation style. While this unique look is mainly reserved for cutscenes (and can be turned off if preferred), it brings emotional moments into sharp focus. The expressive faces, coupled with excellent voice work and accurate regional dialects, contribute to a cast that feels grounded and authentic.
Folklore Reimagined
South of Midnight ventures into Southern Gothic storytelling in a way rarely seen in gaming. It introduces legendary beings tied to regional myths—such as the alligator Two-Toed Tom from Florida, a reimagined Rougarou from Cajun legend, and Alabama’s eerie Huggin’ Molly. These creatures are more than just threats; they’re woven into personal stories of trauma and resilience, making each encounter feel rooted in human experience.
The game also addresses real historical themes subtly yet powerfully. Passing abandoned homes with eviction signs recalls economic hardships that still affect many communities in the South. Through Hazel’s ability to glimpse the past, players witness poignant vignettes—like a mother risking everything to protect her child, or a man distancing himself from family out of shame and regret. These scenes, animated using threads from the magical Tapestry, offer reflections on how past wounds continue to shape present lives.
Exploring Family Through a Cultural Lens
Themes of family are central to South of Midnight. The game explores the complicated ties that bind people—whether those bonds are nurturing or destructive. Hazel is on a quest to find her mother following a devastating flood, but she still takes time to assist spirits unable to find peace. As her journey unfolds, players learn about her mother’s selfless work as a social worker, reinforcing the game’s message about the power of empathy and compassion.
While the individual stories throughout the game are heartfelt, the broader narrative structure occasionally lacks cohesion. Certain characters and events appear suddenly and resolve just as quickly, leaving some threads underdeveloped. There are moments where the narrative momentum falters, with players left wondering about key aspects of Hazel’s past that never fully pay off.
A Sense of Place and Sound
Still, South of Midnight captures the essence of the South with care and sincerity. It acknowledges the region’s contradictions—its beauty and struggle, history and progress. The game doesn’t reduce the South to stereotypes; instead, it offers a more nuanced depiction, showing both the burdens and the resilience of those who live there. There’s an awareness that trauma doesn’t excuse harmful actions but recognizing it can help break cycles of pain, especially when seen through the lens of family.
A standout element is the game’s exceptional soundtrack. With a mix of bluegrass, jazz, blues, and folk, accompanied by instruments like banjos, fiddles, and church organs, the music enriches the experience on every level. Key story beats are punctuated by songs that feel like narrators stepping in to guide the emotional arc, elevating those moments with powerful resonance.
Final Thoughts
South of Midnight may appear simple at first glance, but beneath its action-adventure framework lies a game full of spirit and soul. It respects its roots and presents a distinctive cultural journey without resorting to cliché or overexplanation. Though some narrative gaps remain, its stunning visual style, heartfelt music, and thematic depth more than make up for them.
You can read more about this game here.