South of Midnight

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Background

South of Midnight is a 2025 third-person action-adventure game developed by Compulsion Games and released by Xbox Game Studios. Set in a stylized interpretation of the American Deep South, the game launched on April 8, 2025, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S. Upon its debut, it was met with generally favorable reviews from critics.

The game stands out for its distinctive stop-motion-inspired aesthetic, crafted with the assistance of Clyde Henry Productions. To achieve this unique visual presentation, clay maquettes were used as references, contributing to the game’s handcrafted look. Players assume the role of Hazel, a young woman who acquires ancient weaving abilities that allow her to explore a world rooted in Southern folklore.

Gameplay in South of Midnight blends exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, all centered on Hazel’s weaving powers. These abilities allow her to navigate terrain, manipulate the environment, and confront supernatural forces drawn from regional myths. The game emphasizes a folktale-inspired narrative and features cinematic sequences that replicate the feel of stop-motion animation. Musical elements draw heavily from Southern traditions, complementing the game's tone and enriching its atmosphere. The story focuses on personal growth and the cultural legacy of the South, blending magical realism with mythic storytelling.

Plot

Premise

Set in a Gothic fantasy version of the American Deep South, South of Midnight follows the journey of Hazel Flood (voiced by Adriyan Rae), who is thrust into a world of folklore after a hurricane devastates her hometown of Prospero. As she navigates through this supernatural reality, Hazel discovers that she is a "Weaver"—a mystical being capable of repairing the spiritual fabric of the world. To save those she loves and uncover the secrets of her own lineage, Hazel must confront dark creatures and face the fragmented remnants of her past.

Synopsis

Hazel Flood helps her mother Lacey (Cynthia K. McWilliams) prepare to evacuate their home as a hurricane approaches, but tensions rise between them, leading Hazel to leave in frustration. In a tragic twist, the house is swept away by a flash flood, leaving Lacey behind. Hazel, desperately searching for her, seeks refuge with her estranged grandmother, Bunny (Debra Cardona). Bunny attempts to trap her, only for Hazel to escape and continue her search. Along the way, Hazel discovers that she has the ability to perceive and manipulate "Strands," magical threads that give her the power to battle the monstrous Haints that emerge in her path.

Hazel soon learns from a giant Catfish (Walter Roberts) that she is a "Weaver," an individual who can mend the spiritual fabric of the world by using the Strands. As she journeys down the river, she confronts creatures born from twisted human and animal spirits, battling them by absorbing their negative emotions and untangling their "knots."

Eventually, Hazel finds the remains of her home but no sign of Lacey, except for red yarn. The Catfish warns that the red yarn suggests Lacey has been taken by "Huggin' Molly," a powerful supernatural entity. Hazel's investigation leads her to uncover dark family secrets, including the tragic death of her uncle Trey (Jim Conway) and her grandmother Bunny's hidden obsession with reviving the dead.

Hazel confronts Molly in her lair, only to discover that Lacey and Molly were actually working together to rescue children from abusive families. However, Bunny arrives and, in a fit of desperation, kills Molly, intending to use her heart to resurrect Hazel’s deceased aunt, Cherie (Auguste Lercher). In a final confrontation, Bunny pushes Hazel off a cliff, seemingly to her death.

In the near-death state, Hazel meets Roux (Ahmed Best), a dark spirit who reveals that Lacey's soul is trapped in the realm of Kooshma, the King of Dreams and Nightmares. With Roux's help, Hazel frees Lacey's soul and returns to the human realm. There, she faces Bunny once again, now consumed by her failed attempts to revive Cherie. Hazel gives Bunny an enchanted hairbrush, and Roux offers her an escape to an illusory world where she can live out her dream of raising Cherie. With Bunny gone, Hazel embraces her role as a Weaver, guarding her town from supernatural threats.

General Information

Official Date: April 8, 2025

Company: Xbox Game Studios

Developers: Compulsion Games

Genre: Action-adventure, Dark Fantasy

Cosmology: Undefinable Realities (There are separate planes within South of Midnight such as the Town of Tapestry or The Clocktower)

Number of Series: 1

Number of Games: 1

Status: Finished

Reception: Well Received (South of Midnight was generally liked by critics, receiving generally favorable reviews on Metacritic)

Culture Representation

• Authentically Portrayed Protagonist: Hazel is notable for being a Black woman lead, with her story carefully crafted to reflect her identity with nuance and sincerity. The developers prioritized authentic representation, ensuring her character feels grounded and emotionally resonant.

• Deeply Personal Journey: Hazel’s experiences are portrayed with empathy and depth, presenting her as a complex, multifaceted individual rather than a stereotype. Her perspective is central to the narrative, allowing players to connect with her on a personal level.

• Thoughtful Representation: Compulsion Games made deliberate efforts to reflect Hazel's identity in a respectful and meaningful way. Her voice, choices, and challenges throughout the game contribute to a more inclusive and compelling narrative.

Power of the Verse

The verse contains Mythological Creatures, some of which are giants that can easily destroy buildings, and a group known as Weaves that maintain and mend the damages in the world. They contain abilities such as: Magic, Thread Manipulation, Pathfinding, Healing, Absorption, Sealing, Time Manipulation, Soul Manipulation, Air Manipulation, etcetera.

Knowledgeable Members

• GiverOfThePeace

Characters

Hazel Flood