South of Midnight Review: A Mystical Exploration of the Deep South

by Luis April 14, 2025

“South of Midnight” is an intriguing exploration of the American Deep South lore, culture, and history packaged in a 3D action-platformer developed by Compulsion Games. While its gameplay may not be revolutionary, its immersive narrative, disturbing atmosphere, and enthralling characters overshadow that aspect. Hazel, a teenage track star with magical abilities, navigates this perilous yet captivating world filled with legendary spirits inspired by real-world myths. Despite some repetitive gameplay elements and a transition from easy to hard mode, this game stands out for its unforgettable characters, stunning visuals, and exceptional soundtrack that encapsulates the essence of the Deep South atmosphere.

South of Midnight Review: A Mystical Exploration of the Deep South

– “South of Midnight” is an emotional 3D action-platformer game by Compulsion Games that delves into the American Deep South’s culture, language, and mythology.
– The game features a teenage female protagonist, Hazel, who uses her ability as a weaver to see and influence the world’s underlying strands, adding an intriguing mystical layer to her journey to save her mother.
– Despite its gameplay being described as just decent, the game’s compelling narrative, memorable characters, strong visuals, and catchy soundtrack make it an unforgettable experience.

South of Midnight is a stunning ode to the rich culture, folklore, and sounds of the American Deep South. It utilizes the platform of a 3D action-adventure game to narrate an engrossing tale about grappling with suffering and the power required to triumph over it. This product from Compulsion Games, the creators of Contrast and We Happy Few signals their most noteworthy output yet, tackling unique narratives and unchartered territories largely untouched by major video games.

In South of Midnight, players navigate as Hazel, a teenage athletics star living in Prospero, a Deep South town. A hurricane uproots her life, sweeping away her home and mother. Hazel finds her mother, confronting dark magic and mythical spirits. She discovers her powers as a ‘weaver,’ someone with innate capabilities to perceive the underlying strands connecting the world, and harnesses it to unravel the trauma engulfing these spirits.

Despite its compelling storyline, the gameplay falls short and seems relatively lackluster. However, it shines in its highly detailed characters and disquieting atmosphere. Notably, Hazel is a well-developed character who undergoes significant growth and transformation through the narrative, making her journey engaging to follow.

The game excels in representing Southern Gothic themes and manages to sustain an eerie suspense throughout. Its strength lies in its uncanny ability to incorporate genuine societal issues, such as bigotry and child abuse, into its mythical setting. Being far more narrative-driven than gameplay-focused, South of Midnight delivers an unforgettable experience.

The visual representation in South of Midnight is commendable. Its characters, detailed with hand-crafted, stop-motion animation, provide a cinematic feel to its gameplay and cutscenes. However, it does stumble on combining and balancing its exploration and battle elements, creating jarring shifts and inconsistencies. Despite these downsides, the game makes up for them with its fascinating exploration and platforming phases, which are perennially exciting.

Strengthening its storytelling, the game cleverly uses fashion changes to symbolize Hazel’s character progression and personal growth. Her outfits mirror this transformation as she evolves into a mature adult with a crucial role in healing broken spirits. This subtle use of fashion as a visual metaphor introduces an added layer of depth to the narrative.

South of Midnight delivers an immersive narrative experience backed by compelling characters and powerful world-building. While its gameplay may be found wanting, it more than makes up for it with its stunning visuals, absorbing atmosphere, and unforgettable story. South of Midnight leaves a lasting impact with its vivid portrayal of Southern Gothic themes and mythical spirits drawn from real-world legends.