First revealed in 2023 at an Xbox-themed Summer Games Fest event, the action-adventure game South of Midnight caught the attention of many with its stop-motion animation style and Deep South aesthetic. With information being admittedly scarce before launch, the game became a bit of a mystery until it was re-revealed late last year, and it’s out on PC and Xbox. It follows Hazel Flood, who, after losing her mother while being trapped in a hurricane, goes on a mystic journey through the past to find her.

South of Midnight is a 2025 action-adventure game developed by Compulsion Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. It’s now on PC, Xbox Series  X|S, and Game Pass.

Editor’s Note: Light spoilers for the story will be present in this review.

Go on a mystic trip to the Deep South in South of Midnight.

South of Midnight is a story focused on themes of grief, loss, and generational trauma, all with a black-southern artistic bent. Featuring a robust cast, a very well-written script, and a stellar soundtrack aiding the already fantastic story telling the game breathes world-building and character. Though combat can be a bit weak, the game’s overall presentation is a memorable one that will be hard to forget throughout the years following its launch.

South of Midnight will be viewed as a future cult classic featuring a stellar cast and script.

THE GOOD: During a massive hurricane, Hazel Flood and her mother Lacey make preparations to evacuate. While checking on her neighbors, Hazel is horrified to see her home get swept up in the hurricane’s currents. Following a chase, she’s forced to ask for help from her estranged Grandmother Bunny. Bunny attempts to keep Hazel locked in her mansion, but escapes after discovering a unique weapon allowing her access to the supernatural creatures of the south as well as paranormal strands that grant powers such as flying and combating monsters known as Haints.

Hazel meets a giant Catfish who can talk and guides her through her new supernatural surroundings. During her travels, Hazel learns that her once believed to be peaceful southern home surrounds itself with a lot of dark history. She also learns her family may have deeper ties to its tormented past than she thought. Along the way, she meets multiple cryptids, including a giant crocodile as well as a rougarou, on her journey to save her mother.

Use magic strands to combat evil.

South of Midnight is a powerfully presented game that speaks to the soul with its heavy themes and southern aesthetic. Being a black southerner myself, it got me interested in the deeper fantastical stories of Arkansas (which, to my knowledge, aren’t many). The greater American South, which has long been full of mysteries, supernatural and otherwise, is a fantastic backdrop that isn’t tackled too much in entertainment. Or at the very least, it’s not done so too often in the way South of Midnight portrays it. The story covers a lot of black and southern culture, and the pain being raised in both can bring as well as the sometimes simplistic joys. You don’t have to be either to understand the deeper meaning and themes woven into South of Midnight, but it might open a Pandora’s Box of intrigue if you have never previously sought out these kinds of stories.

The gameplay has mechanics in combat and platforming, with the latter being more of the primary focus. With combat, Hazel can strike and block attacks from Haints. She eventually unlocks the abilities to control enemies, throw long-range blasts, grabs, and even control enemies for a short period. Enemies have a small bit of variety from brutes, regular basic enemies, enemies who can shield allies, and some that can release hordes of small enemies that explode. There’s a point where you can control a doll to enter smaller areas, and it can be fun. You can also use it to reach long-range areas.

Platforming is probably what you’ve come to expect from the modern action-adventure genre. Hazel can wall-run, jump, and even fly to get across certain areas. Puzzles include using the aforementioned doll and using her abilities to bring back things from the past to the present for a bit of reality-bending. This is usually to climb a height with carts and boxes, or bring back a bridge or rock platform to cross water.

The biggest star of the game is the soundtrack, especially those accompanying the boss fights. They add a necessary layer of storytelling and world-building without feeling too on the nose or expositionary. One of the most viral songs is the one about the lost mother and child who were transformed into cryptids following their deaths. Composer Olivier Derivière has an official TikTok account where he details the creation of many of the songs, and you should check it out for further immersion. Animation is beautifully made with stop-motion techniques and set pieces of the characters and backdrops.

Beautiful set pieces and excellent storytelling build South of Midnight’s world.

THE BAD: While combat is solid enough to get through the game, it often leaves a lot to be desired. You unlock new powers throughout, but they never get you excited enough to feel necessary to use outside of the long-range grab and enemy control powers. The platforming can be off a bit, with some unclear sense of direction in certain areas leading to nonsensical deaths.

A game worthy of a sequel.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: South of Midnight is going to stick in the memory banks long after its release. Combat is a bit on the weak side, but a minor complaint compared to nearly every other asset that knocks it out of the park. It’s primed with story, character, and a world that breathes life from nearly all of its contributing elements mostably in it’s music, screenplay, and voice actor cast.