South of Midnight Review (Xbox Series X|S & PC)

South of Midnight made its grand debut at the Xbox Games Showcase 2023 with an announcement trailer that left gamers on the edge of their seats. After a long wait, the game is finally here, and the excitement has been building ever since. Things really kicked into high gear when it went gold on March 21, 2025, promising a polished experience right from the start. The game perfectly blends Southern Gothic vibes with a story full of magic and mystery, which is exactly what fans were hoping for. Now that it’s in our hands let’s see if South of Midnight lives up to the hype and delivers on the promise of something truly unique.

The Mystical Charm of the South

First things first, the world of South of Midnight is a huge highlight. The game features a fictional version of the Deep South, and honestly, you don’t see that setting often in games. Compulsion Games nails the atmosphere. The game brings something eerie and magical about the whole place. From swamps to abandoned towns, every area feels alive, with rich details and a spooky vibe.

What really makes the world stand out is the southern gothic theme. The game nails the look, from the old houses to the foggy forests. Furthermore, the music is a perfect fit. The deep, soulful blues blend really well with the eerie feel of the environment. It’s not just about the visuals; it’s about the whole experience, and South of Midnight pulls it off in spades. 

Now, here is the best part. The game draws a lot of inspiration from southern myths. Hazel encounters mythical creatures, and the story weaves these legends into the world. It’s a unique take, and it makes the setting feel fresh.

The Heart of the Game

South of Midnight doesn’t waste any time pulling you in. The game kicks off with a hurricane destroying Hazel’s hometown, floodwaters rising, and swallowing her house on stilts. It’s intense right from the start, setting up an emotional journey. Hazel is introduced as someone with a special ability. She can stitch broken memories, spirits, and bonds back together. Think of her as a magical fixer, mending the broken parts of the world around her.

Even though the combat can feel repetitive, it’s Hazel’s story that keeps you invested. She’s easy to relate to, and players can’t help but get caught up in her search for her missing mom. As you play, you see Hazel grow, not just in terms of her powers, but as a person. She learns more about herself and the world around her.

Additionally, the people she meets along the way are what really make this adventure game stand out. Take Ru, for example. He’s a mysterious character who plays a big role in Hazel’s story. His interactions with her are thought-provoking and meaningful. Similarly, the mythical creatures in the game also add a lot to the story. They’re not just there to be fought; they’ve got their own personalities and stories. Some are friendly, others aren’t, but each one adds depth to the game world. Ultimately, each character feels like they’ve got their own ghost story to tell, and the game doesn’t sugarcoat any of it. It dives into the dark stuff with no hesitation.

Fun But Repetitive

Hazel’s abilities as a weaver make the platforming in South of Midnight pretty fun. She can double-jump, dash, glide, run on walls, and zipline across gaps. These abilities are a big part of how players get around the game world. Additionally, each area is filled with obstacles that require players to use these powers, and it’s pretty satisfying to figure out how to move through the levels.

The world itself is well-designed, and exploring it is enjoyable. Whether you’re jumping over gaps, running up walls, or gliding across wide spaces, the mechanics feel smooth. Furthermore, the environments are varied, which helps keep things interesting as players navigate through forests, mansions, and more.

However, after a few hours, you’ll realize the platforming doesn’t change much. You’ll be doing the same basic moves: jumping, gliding, and running. While the environments change, the core mechanics stay the same. It would’ve been nice if the game added more puzzle elements to break up the action. Notably, there’s a lot of potential for cool environmental challenges, but unfortunately, those don’t really show up. It’s still fun, but a little more variety would’ve been welcome.

Simple But Satisfying Combat

Combat in South of Midnight is pretty simple. You have light attacks, power attacks, dodging, and a skill tree that lets players unlock new abilities as they level up. Nothing groundbreaking here, but it gets the job done. Hazel’s combat moves feel fluid, though it can start to feel repetitive after a while. Most enemies have predictable behaviour, but occasionally, the game throws a twist. For instance, enemies can go into a frenzied state and become temporarily invincible.

What stands out, though, is how important positioning is in combat. Hazel can dodge attacks and use her movement skills, like leaping forward or backwards, to her advantage during combat. However, things can get a little chaotic when there are too many enemies at once. Trying to juggle multiple ghostly creatures while dodging projectiles can break your focus, making it difficult to enjoy the flow of combat.

Here’s where things get a bit tricky: most of the game focuses on melee combat, with Hazel using her weaver powers to fight. While these powers are fun, the combat doesn’t evolve much over time. The game revolves around clearing “stigma zones,” small areas where enemies spawn in waves. After defeating them, you can now move the story forward. This cycle repeats in nearly every area and gets old quickly. The enemies don’t change much, and the combat feels like the same thing over and over. 

A Mix of Challenge and Repetition

Now, when it comes to boss fights in South of Midnight, they are fun, but they can get a little repetitive. Each boss is tied to a memory or “stigma,” and of course, you must defeat them to move the story forward. These battles are usually tougher than regular combat, with bosses having special abilities or attack patterns that keep you on your toes.

What’s great about the boss fights is their size and intense feelings. Some bosses have multiple phases, making them more challenging. For example, they might change their attack style halfway through, forcing you to change your strategy. Furthermore, the fights are dramatic, and the music really helps make them feel epic.

That said, the formula for the boss fights doesn’t change much. It’s mostly about dodging and attacking at the right time. While this is fun at first, it starts to feel like the same thing with every new boss. They might have different moves, but the basic strategy stays the same. Overall, the boss fights in South of Midnight are a big part of the game, but they could be more varied. They’re challenging enough to keep players engaged, but after a while, they start feeling a little predictable. 

A World Worth Exploring

One of the best things about South of Midnight is the world design. Each chapter takes you to a new location, and they all feel different. Whether you’re exploring a tiny makeshift city inside a mountain or climbing up a giant clock tower, the game does a great job of making each place stand out. There’s always something new to find, and some areas even come with big setpieces or puzzles that keep you on your toes.

One of the coolest spots is a clock tower you have to climb. It’s a vast platforming challenge that reminds players of other classic adventure games. Another wild location is a slaughterhouse filled with dead pigs. Yeah, you got that right, and it adds a pretty creepy vibe to the game. These locations help give the game its own feel and keep things from ever getting boring.

What’s also great is that each area has at least one memorable moment, whether it’s an emotional scene or a big puzzle to solve. The world-building is fun, making exploring all these different places enjoyable. Players will never tire of wandering around because there’s always something interesting around the corner.

Verdict

South of Midnight surprised many players in several ways. The story, characters, and music combine to create a unique and engaging experience. The platforming is fun, and while the combat isn’t groundbreaking, it’s still immersive. The game’s pacing is fast and keeps things moving, and the sound design is excellent, contributing to a truly immersive action-adventure game atmosphere.

However, the game does have some technical issues. Players may experience occasional FPS drops, and the stop-motion aesthetic might not appeal to everyone. While the game is enjoyable, it might not be worth the $40 price tag for some, especially considering the performance hiccups. That said, for anyone with Game Pass, South of Midnight is definitely worth checking out. It’s an experience-driven game that will appeal to fans of story-driven platformers with some Southern flair.