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Recreation Title: South of Midnight

Platforms:

• Xbox Sequence X/S (Apr 8, 2025)
• PC (Apr 8, 2025)

Trailers:

• Weaving Hazel's Journey – A South of Midnight Documentary
• South of Midnight – Gameplay Reveal – Xbox Video games Showcase 2024

Developer: Compulsion Video games

Writer: Xbox Video games Studios

Evaluate Aggregator:

OpenCritic – 79 common – 71% really helpful – 64 critiques

Critic Opinions

A Gaming Community – Marcel Dee – 8 / 10

A Love Letter to the Deep South. South of Midnight is an evocative and fantastically crafted expertise that blends folklore, storytelling, and motion right into a mesmerizing package deal. Regardless of some gameplay shortcomings, its breathtaking presentation, compelling narrative, and wealthy world-building make it a standout title. The sport is probably not for everybody—particularly these in search of fast-paced motion or deep RPG mechanics—however for gamers who respect a well-told story wrapped in a visually distinctive and culturally wealthy setting, South of Midnight is a journey price taking.

Atarita – Atakan Gümrükçüoğlu – Turkish – 81 / 100

Impressed by Deep South folklore, South of Midnight gives us an intriguing story and stands out with its environment and narrative. Although it has an important soundtrack and entertaining sequences, it may be a bit unhappy that it will get repetitive after some time.

However Why Tho? – Kate Sanchez – 9 / 10

In the end, Compulsion Video games has created a love letter to the South, to its magnificence and its tales. The darkish fairytale we see in South of Midnight is narratively one of many heaviest hitters I've performed, and that's one thing particular.

CGMagazine – Justin Wooden – 7 / 10

South of Midnight comes out swinging with an unimaginable story, however the gameplay simply isn't there to again it up.

Checkpoint Gaming – Luke Mitchell – 8 / 10

South of Midnight delivers one of the attention-grabbing and visually gorgeous settings in latest reminiscence. It looks like a tribute to the Deep South; it exhibits reverence to precise folklore whereas including its personal attention-grabbing twists that interweave with Hazel's household historical past and the story Compulsion Video games needed to inform. Its traversal and fight don't provide something we haven't seen earlier than, however it's a well-made expertise, with its greatest crime being overly acquainted techniques. What it lacks in gameplay innovation, it greater than makes up for with its quirky storytelling and magnificence; in the end, South of Midnight gives a definite and gripping perspective that's onerous to not fall in love with.

ComicBook.com – Michael Murphy – 4 / 5

South of Midnight proves itself to be an important new IP for Xbox and Compulsion Video games’ finest work but. Regardless of some narrative-related points and lukewarm fight, there’s a lot to take pleasure in. When you’ve got Xbox Recreation Cross, that is an absolute must-play.

Comunidad Xbox – Adrián Segura – Spanish – 86 / 100

Compulsion Video games' new work is, certainly, their finest work to this point and a sort of sport that the Xbox household badly wanted. A easy motion and platform journey, centered on the story however with out neglecting the gameplay. A type of that, with out being too lengthy or dense, depart an important style within the mouth when completed.

Console Creatures – Bobby Pashalidis – 8 / 10

South of Midnight has rather a lot to like, from the unimaginable use of stop-motion to the sweeping rating and accompanying blues music to the private story of Hazel and the American South setting.

Console-Tribe – Simone Cantini – Italian – 75 / 100

South of Midnight is probably not the last word breakthrough for Compulsion Video games, however it stands as their most stable and profitable work to date. This well-crafted journey balances platform and motion components, supported by sturdy gameplay mechanics. Nevertheless, its development stays considerably formulaic, its development typical, and its mechanics extremely spinoff. Regardless of these shortcomings, the sport delivers enjoyment in each facet. Exploring the bayou with Hazel gives pleasant surprises, significantly from a visible standpoint, showcasing that Compulsion Video games is on the fitting path.

Digitale Anime – Raouf Belhamra – Arabic – 8 / 10

"A novel journey with a particular creative route" Whereas South of Midnight doesn't provide revolutionary gameplay mechanics, it stands out for its distinctive creative route and emotional narrative impressed by Southern folklore. Its weaknesses in fight and platforming diminish the problem, however it makes up for this with its enchanting world and distinctive sound design. A worthwhile expertise for followers of narrative adventures and mysterious atmospheres.

Digitec Journal – Domagoj Belancic – German – 3 / 5

The playable fairy story “South of Midnight” impresses above all with its audiovisual presentation. The southern environment is completely captured with an in depth artwork fashion and interactive soundtrack. Narratively, the sport works significantly nicely within the small story vignettes in regards to the numerous legendary creatures from southern folklore. When it comes to gameplay, nevertheless, the sport disappoints with its conservative degree design and monotonous battles. These stand in stark distinction to the in any other case loving and artistic execution.

Echo Boomer – David Fialho – Portuguese – Really helpful

South of Midnight is clearly a product of care and dedication, an journey that bets on its sturdy visible id and emotional reference to the participant by way of resonant tales of a protagonist as sturdy as she is fragile. Its creative fashion, impressed by Southern American folklore and stop-motion animation—uncommon in video video games—units it aside, whereas its soundtrack, wealthy in orchestral themes and immersive vocal compositions, provides much more emotional weight to the journey. The simplicity of the gameplay, with purposeful but considerably restricted fight, could depart one thing to be desired, however it by no means compromises the essence of the expertise. Ultimately, it’s a sport that doesn’t search to enchantment to the lots however gives a memorable journey crammed with putting moments and a singular environment, in a mode that deserves additional exploration within the business.

Eurogamer.pt – Bruno Galvão – Portuguese – 4 / 5

South of Midnight is without doubt one of the best gems of this technology, a design that takes us again to the times of the PS3, with spectacular graphics, easy-to-learn gameplay and loads of enjoyable that flows at a superb tempo. It's a title to take pleasure in and cherish.

GAMES.CH – Fabrice Henz – German – 83%

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GRYOnline.pl – Anna Garas – Polish – 7.5 / 10

When South of Midnight absolutely commits to its distinctive concepts and inspirations, carried by Olivier Deriviere's excellent rating, it’s nice. However when it’s afraid to step out of the road, we get a normal, stable action-adventure with and oldschool vibe. If solely the gameplay designers would inject extra artistic juice into their work, it will be a implausible sport. As it’s, it’s merely good.

GameSpot – Jordan Ramée – 8 / 10

South of Midnight makes up for its orthodox gameplay with a implausible story, well-researched setting, and an extremely catchy lyric-driven soundtrack.

Gameliner – Bram Noteboom – Dutch – 3.5 / 5

South of Midnight by Compulsion Video games delivers a fascinating narrative and gorgeous audiovisual expertise set in a gothic Southern USA, although its repetitive fight and uninspired platforming maintain it again from true greatness.

Gamepressure – Michał Grygorcewicz – Unscored

South of Midnight is a pure mid-budget sport that doesn't even attempt to problem the most important launches of the primary half of the 12 months, however has sufficient character and allure to supply about ten hours of respectable enjoyable. [Review in progress]

Gamer Social Membership – Dan Jackson – 8.5 / 10

As an entire it’s onerous to not come away from South Of Midnight glowing. Its vibrant world, charismatic characters, unimaginable soundtrack and legendary creatures are true artworks. Going by way of that world as Hazel was a pleasure to do regardless of the repetitive fight. With a bit extra selection in enemies and switching up the method only a contact right here and there, South Of Midnight might have been really particular.

Glitched Africa – Marco Cocomello – 7.5 / 10

South of Midnight, to its strengths, performs out like an old-school 3D journey sport. Its concentrate on the American Deep South is exceptional, making this journey by way of the swamp an pleasurable one, even when it isn’t layered in mechanics and options.

Kakuchopurei – Lewis Larcombe – 70 / 100

[…] South of Midnight is a visually gorgeous, atmospheric sport with an important idea, however falls quick in execution. The story and setting? Sensible. The mechanics? Strong however underdeveloped. The boss fights? Repetitive. The size? Shorter than anticipated.

KonsoliFIN – Risto Karinkanta – Finnish – 3 / 5

South of Midnight is a melancholic action-adventure set within the American South, the place Hazel embarks on a journey by way of a sorrowful magical world crammed with monsters and darkish household secrets and techniques. The sport blends platforming and fight, however each really feel unrefined—motion is stiff, fights are repetitive, and degree design lacks depth. Whereas the narrative and Southern folklore components are compelling, the gameplay struggles to maintain up, making it a title finest skilled by way of Recreation Cross fairly than a full-price buy.

Loot Stage Chill – Steve Chambers – 8 / 10

South of Midnight is a refreshing and satisfying action-adventure that has the entire trappings and nostalgia of the classics of yesteryear, but has the entire bells and whistles you’d affiliate with trendy gaming.

MKAU Gaming – Stacie Cotton – 8 / 10

Regardless of all my criticisms, this can be a sport that can have you ever swept up within the murky waters of the swamp. I used to be immediately wrapped up within the creative and artistic avenue it has taken, regardless of the fight not being essentially the most riveting a part of the gameplay.

Guide dos Video games – Luiz Henrique Silva – Portuguese – 8.6 / 10

With a singular and distinctive visible fashion and soundtrack, South of Midnight delivers a extremely pleasurable and fascinating journey, despite the fact that the gameplay, whereas enjoyable, can change into a bit repetitive within the later levels of the sport.

MondoXbox – Giuseppe Genga – Italian – 8 / 10

South of Midnight is an interesting journey into the magic of the Deep South, amongst stunning surroundings, unusual characters and sport mechanics that, whereas not inventing something, are enjoyable and fascinating. The artwork division, each visible and audio, is phenomenal, whereas one thing might have been carried out to enhance fight and the story tempo, however it's nonetheless a sport that each one lovers of the action-adventure style ought to strive.

NextPlay – Brad Goodwin – 9 / 10

South of Midnight is a triumphant entry into Compulsion Video games’s library, providing a fascinating narrative with likeable characters in a sheer spectacle of a world that you simply simply want you would spend extra time in. The fight, whereas sturdy, could not fulfill all players, however the narrative and compelling worldbuilding are greater than sturdy sufficient to shoulder that burden.

Nexus Hub – Andrew Logue – 8 / 10

South of Midnight performs it comparatively protected within the gameplay division, however impressed artwork route, sturdy characters and persistently nice writing and voice performing make it Compulsion Video games' most spectacular work but.

Noisy Pixel – Azario Lopez – 5.5 / 10

South of Midnight looks like a sport that needed to soar however by no means actually left the bottom. It’s undeniably beautiful and hints at a degree of creativity that, beneath higher route, might have led to an unforgettable journey. Nevertheless, between the undercooked fight, stilted platforming, and a meandering story that may’t determine on its central theme, it’s robust to suggest and not using a few asterisks. Hazel deserved extra, and so did we. For now, South of Midnight stays a curiosity—price a look when you’re eager on its aesthetics or folk-infused premise, however in the end missing the cohesion it must shine.

One Extra Recreation – Chris Garcia – 7 / 10

South of Midnight delivers a definite narrative-driven expertise, preferrred for gamers in search of a story-rich journey with minimal gameplay complexity. The sport masterfully captures the ambiance and essence of the American Deep South, a setting hardly ever explored in gaming, making its atmospheric world a refreshing and welcome addition.

Press Begin – 8.5 / 10

With a considerate message, soulful world, and fantastically imaginative design to push issues alongside, Compulsion delivers a basic journey seemingly past their weight class with South of Midnight. It's the precise, elusive story-driven diamond within the tough that Xbox has been in quest of for generations now.

PureXbox – Ben Kerry – 9 / 10

For me, South of Midnight is a little bit of a triumph, and precisely the type of factor I need to see extra of from Xbox Recreation Studios. It's not excellent, and its fight mechanics are a bit missing, however the sport has a lot soul, character and allure that it's onerous to not fall in love with it. I used to be engrossed with the storybook visuals, the well-delivered narrative and the satisfying traversal from begin to end, and I actually can't suggest this one sufficient on Xbox Recreation Cross.

Restart.run – Ryan Easby – Important

South of Midnight is an early sport of the 12 months contender, however that’s not all. It’s among the best video games launched on this technology, a sport severely vying for a spot on my record of favourite video games of all time, and an utter masterpiece that future builders will speak about.

SIFTER – Adam Christou – Preferred-a-lot

Compulsion Video games’ model new motion platformer for Xbox brings collectively tight platforming, sensible artwork route and a compelling solid for a memorable romp by way of a fantasy American Deep South. What’s going to stick with me most is how South Of Midnight explores its themes of trauma and forgiveness. Those that have been harm most are provided respite. This injury can’t be reversed, however Hazel may also help folks transfer on.

Shacknews – Donovan Erskine – 8 / 10

South of Midnight is a powerful narrative feat from Compulsion Video games. It's a well-paced journey that goes massive on characters and story, although fight and platforming really feel a bit uniform. I hope it's not the final we've seen of this world and these characters.

Stevivor – Steve Wright – 8.5 / 10

South of Midnight accomplishes what it has got down to do, providing gamers one thing really distinctive, empathetic, and enthralling.

The Beta Community – Anthony Culinas – 6 / 10

South of Midnight is a visually distinctive action-platformer with tight platforming mechanics and a singular stop-motion aesthetic, however it suffers from extreme hand-holding, lackluster fight, and a narrative that leans too closely on exposition. Whereas its momentum-driven traversal may be satisfying, the inflexible degree design, repetitive encounters and underdeveloped narrative threads forestall it from reaching its full potential.

The Video games Machine – Alessandro Alosi – Italian – 7.5 / 10

South of Midnight is an honest single participant action-adventure, total and with out giving an excessive amount of weight to the linear gameplay or to some technical and structural limitations. Narratively and artistically it’s actually intriguing, too unhealthy that from a gameplay perspective it exhibits a lot much less braveness.

The Outerhaven Productions – Jordan Andow – 4 / 5

Regardless of some minor tech points and lack of any actual distinctive gameplay components. I actually loved my time with South Of Midnight, its story and protagonist Hazel linked with me in a manner I didn't anticipate. The setting and artwork route give South Of Midnight an id all it's personal.

Toisto – Joonatan Itkonen – 3 / 5

It’s a bizarre juxtaposition to have a progressive story towards a regressive sport, however that sort of contradiction feels nearly excellent for South of Midnight. It’s, in spite of everything, a sport about how messy we’re as folks, and the way, typically, it makes us so distinctive ultimately.

Tom's Information – 4 / 5

South of Midnight is the fashionable folktale of the American Deep South I by no means knew I needed, with gorgeous stop-motion artwork fashion, an enthralling solid of legendary, gothic creatures and fascinating tales. Whereas fight can fall flat after some time, and taking the trail much less traveled doesn't bear many rewards, the haunting but charming attract of this motion journey could have you coming again for extra. TODAY'S BEST DEALS Test Amazon Test Walmart

Xbox Achievements – Richard Walker – 90%

South of Midnight is the work of Compulsion Video games, a studio whose earlier venture, We Blissful Few, actually tickled the flowery of solely a contented few, th…

Xbox Tavern – James Davie – 9 / 10

A lovely and great shock, South of Midnight is a pleasant fantasy journey title that crafts a uniquely southern story about connection and rebuilding concord in a manner that’s uncommon in videogames right now. Hazel and the solid of characters are nice, the powers and talents Hazel makes use of are plentiful and pleasing, the world is wealthy with engrossing pure environments, and the breeziness inherent throughout the sport’s storytelling and accessibility makes it a surprising expertise. The repetition does grate, and scrapping towards haints might use extra sparkle and empowerment, however in any other case South of Midnight is without doubt one of the finest video games this 12 months and totally deserves your consideration.

XboxEra – Jesse Norris – 8.5 / 10

South of Midnight is a stunningly stunning and shifting expertise. Whereas the gameplay doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel, it combines glorious writing and music to maneuver your soul in methods solely the perfect video games can. This title is a gigantic step-up for Compulsion Video games, and I hope this isn’t the final we see from Hazel Flood.

ZTGD – Ken McKown – 8 / 10

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ZdobywcyGier.eu – Paweł Bortkiewicz – Polish – 6.5 / 10

South of Midnight, regardless of attention-grabbing previews, has sadly change into a slight disappointment. The sport gives an attention-grabbing story, which sadly falls aside in the midst of the sport, after which picks up once more on the finish of the journey. An abysmal fight system and excellent platforming components present us with a fairly uneven expertise, which sadly falls in need of the rising competitors on this space of the online game business.