South of Midnight

About South of Midnight

South of Midnight drops in April 2025 as an action-adventure platformer from Compulsion Games. The title arrives on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and the Nintendo Switch 2. You play as Hazel, a young woman whose life shifts after a hurricane hits her hometown of Prospero. Reality bends here to reveal a Southern Gothic world where ancient folklore creatures roam freely. This single-player story follows Hazel as she hunts for her missing mother while confronting family secrets and personal trauma. The game weaves modern struggles with deep-rooted myths to create a setting that feels both grounded and magical.

Gameplay

Sessions revolve around third-person traversal and combat against supernatural beasts. You control Hazel through varied environments using standard platforming moves like jumping, climbing, and sliding. Combat requires timing your attacks with the ancient weaving powers Hazel discovers along the way. These abilities let you manipulate objects or alter the terrain to bypass obstacles. The game features a linear campaign structure where narrative beats unlock new areas rather than open-world exploration. You spend most of your time solving environmental puzzles that tie directly into the story of Prospero. Controls feel responsive, and the weaving mechanic adds a rhythmic layer to how you engage enemies and cross maps.

What Players Think

Critics and players have responded strongly since launch. The IGDB score sits at 80.8 out of 100 based on 64 ratings. Players report an average playtime of around 12 hours for a standard run. Completion rates suggest most folks finish the main story, though 40 total achievements offer extra goals for completionists. Community moods skew positive with frequent mentions of the art style and emotional weight of Hazel's journey. Review snippets often highlight how the Southern setting stands out compared to other fantasy titles. The game does not seem to have major technical complaints at this stage, as most feedback focuses on narrative execution rather than bugs or performance issues.

PlayPile's Take

This title works best for players who want a story-driven platformer with distinct regional flavor. It costs the standard price for first-party Xbox releases and offers 40 achievements for those seeking extra challenges. The emotional core of Hazel's quest resonates well, even if some puzzles feel familiar to veterans of the genre. Do not expect a massive open world or endless grinding. You will likely finish this experience in just over half a weekend. If you value strong art direction and personal narratives over high-octane action, this is a solid choice worth your time and money.

Storyline

A DARK MODERN FOLKTALE When a hurricane rips through Prospero, Hazel is pulled into a Southern Gothic world where reality and fantasy are interwoven, and ancient creatures from folklore emerge. In this coming-of-age adventure, Hazel journeys forth to rescue her mother and delves into a haunting web of folklore and family secrets, untangling her own identity.