South of Midnight Review: A Magical Southern Folklore Adventure
A heartfelt Southern fantasy adventure with stunning visuals, soulful storytelling, and satisfyingly spooky folklore
Available on: PC, Xbox, Xbox Gamepass
Genre: 3D Platformer, Soulslike, Adventure, Emotional
Developer: Compulsion Games
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
How Cozy? ⭐⭐⭐ /5 the game does have cozy elements but there are some scenes with heavier themes
Game Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
If you love games that wrap you up in a good story, whisk you off to a beautifully realised world, and throw in a bit of satisfying challenge along the way, then South of Midnight is an absolute gem. This is one of those rare titles that really feels like something special, thoughtful, heartfelt and honestly, just a joy to play.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, especially as I don’t normally go for Soulslike games, but South of Midnight won me over almost instantly. From its stop-motion-style visuals to the charming main character Hazel and the deep Southern folklore woven throughout, it’s one of the most unique games I’ve played in ages.
Story
You play as Hazel, a young woman living in a reimagined Deep South following a major hurricane. Her journey begins when she sets out to find her missing mother – and from there, you’re pulled into a world filled with magic, myth and a real sense of place.
The story is layered with mystery and folklore, introducing you to creatures and spirits that feel drawn straight from Southern legend. The narrative touches on loss, healing, and family, and I found myself really connecting with Hazel’s journey. She’s such a likeable character, grounded, brave, a bit sassy, and just the kind of protagonist you want to spend time with.
Throughout the game, Hazel observes ghostly echoes from the past, fragments of memory and tragedy that reveal what’s shaped the world and its people. These scenes don’t directly happen to Hazel, but they’re emotionally impactful and can be a little upsetting at times. They often deal with grief, abuse, injustice, and hardship, and are tied closely to the history of the characters she meets. It’s all handled with care, but it’s definitely something to be aware of if you’re sensitive to heavier themes.
I won’t spoil too much, but let’s just say the characters she meets along the way are properly fleshed out, each with their own stories and secrets. It’s a game that manages to be both whimsical and grounded, which is a rare and lovely thing.
Related: Looking for more emotional games?
Check out my list of games with heartfelt stories
Gameplay
Gameplay-wise, South of Midnight is a clever mix of satisfying 3D platforming and Soulslike-style combat, though I’d say it’s far more approachable than most games in that genre. It’s only my second Soulslike (my first being Death’s Door) and I found the combat rhythm super enjoyable once I got into it.
Hazel’s powers develop as the story unfolds, making travelling around more dynamic and fun, especially during the high speed chase sequences, zooming through the environment to reach the bottle tree was such a great thrill.
There’s also a nice element of exploration, the world is filled with little collectibles called “floofs”, which you can use to upgrade your weapons and abilities as well as notes and items to inspect to uncover more of the story. I really appreciated how full the world feels, with just enough optional paths and secrets to keep you poking around.
A little shoutout here for Crouton, Hazel’s childhood doll brought to life. He helps out with tasks Hazel can’t reach, like burrowing into small tunnels to flip switches or grab items, and he’s just so charming. It’s a simple mechanic but adds a nice bit of personality and interaction to the gameplay.
Graphics and Visuals
This game is absolutely gorgeous to look at. The art style is heavily inspired by stop-motion animation, a slightly dreamy, handcrafted look that really makes the world pop. It’s one of the most visually striking games I’ve played recently.
One of the standout visuals for me was the enormous catfish creature. It’s glittering and beautiful, with glowing eyes and a sinuous, flowing form that glides through the water.
The environments, too, are just packed with detail, from glowing bottle trees to moss covered ruins. It all feels alive, and wonderfully strange in the best way.
Voicework and Sound
The voicework is fab and I can be very picky about cheesy voicework. Hazel’s voice actor brings so much personality to the role, she’s warm, expressive, and really carries the emotional weight of the story. Every major character is well voiced, adding even more depth and atmosphere to an already rich world.
The soundtrack is another highlight. It’s a lovely blend of blues and jazz, which fits the Southern Gothic vibe perfectly and really brings the setting to life. The music shifts with the mood of the story, sometimes mellow and haunting, other times upbeat and energetic, and always atmospheric.
The one thing I wasn’t quite as keen on was the main theme song (the one that bookends the game). It felt a little too modern compared to the rest of the soundtrack, though to be fair, that might have been intentional, since there’s a bit of time jumping in the story and Hazel would’ve grown up in the modern day. Still, the rest of the music more than made up for it!
Longevity
South of Midnight took me around 12 hours to finish, and while the story wraps up neatly, I can absolutely see myself playing it again. It’s the kind of game where you might want to revisit your favourite parts, or just spend a bit more time in that beautifully crafted world.
I did encounter one small bug where I got stuck and had to restart the game, which was a bit annoying, but thankfully it only happened once and didn’t affect my overall experience.
Conclusion
I truly loved my time with South of Midnight. It’s magical, heartfelt, and filled with moments of wonder. Hazel is a brilliant lead, the world is dripping with atmosphere and folklore, and the balance between platforming and combat is spot on.
All in all, South of Midnight is a game I’ll be recommending to anyone who loves a good story, unique visuals, and a bit of adventure. If you’re looking for something a little different something soulful and striking, then this might just be your next favourite game.
