Review: South Of Midnight (Xbox)

Since I finished my initial preview of the game almost two months ago, I have been eager to return to Xbox’s South of Midnight. That brief glimpse captivated me with its stunning visuals, smooth gameplay, and unique appeal—I simply yearned for a bit more understanding to gain a true sense of what Compulsion Games aimed to achieve. Now, after experiencing the entirety of South of Midnight, I can confidently declare that it stands out as one of my favorite releases from Xbox Game Studios in a considerable time.

Here’s the basic storyline: you assume the role of Hazel, a young girl on a mission to rescue her mother after a devastating storm wreaks destruction in the Deep South. The journey begins as a grounded, determined effort to help and ultimately save your loved ones, until Hazel discovers that she is a ‘Weaver’; a mystical being capable of interacting with some of the more supernatural occurrences in that realm. Hazel undergoes an impressive transformation as you progress through the game, evolving into a formidable monster-fighting young woman by the end.

Despite a subtle start to South of Midnight’s narrative, the characters in this game are truly enchanting — and this consistently aids in making the player feel engaged in the adventure. Hazel expresses emotions extremely well, and the subtle nuances in her acting are brought to life in remarkable ways. In fact, the entire cast excels here — this aspect of the game feels like a genuine improvement compared to previous works from Compulsion Games. As I noted in my preview, the quirky talking fish is also a delightful highlight — so incredibly charming!

Another significant advantage of South of Midnight is the game’s vibrant, varied visuals. What you may have observed from early pre-release images is just the tip of the iceberg — you will wander through the colorful gardens of magnificent old Deep South mansions, trudge through muddy wastelands devastated by the storm, and explore foggy swamps and derelict shipwrecks as you uncover the game’s beautiful mysteries. Combine The Jungle Book with Disney’s The Haunted Mansion, and South of Midnight truly captures its overall charm and serves as a prime example of how far artistic design can elevate a game’s graphic presentation.

Alright, enough praising the game’s characters and visuals for now — what about the gameplay? Well, South of Midnight primarily divides its gameplay into exploration and combat, with each aspect rarely overlapping. As you see Hazel weave her way through the environment (catch my drift?), you’ll encounter combat arenas that are somewhat distinctly separate from the standard traversal elements. To be truthful, South of Midnight handles one of these gameplay types markedly better than the other.

I genuinely appreciate the way you navigate in South of Midnight. The game’s movement mechanics and platforming segments aren’t necessarily groundbreaking, but the gameplay feels very enjoyable as you rush around, discovering its vibrant settings. You will likely acquire a double jump, a dash, the ability to wall-run, a magical grappling hook of sorts, and a helpful little companion to guide you where you need to go — and everything fits together seamlessly. Whenever I spotted a little detour for loot, I was always eager to venture forth, and this aspect of gameplay is undoubtedly a success.