South of Midnight embarks on a weirdly whimsical adventure

by

In their third game, Compulsion Games is venturing into the American Deep South and blending its unique culture with elements of dark fantasy. I recently got to experience Chapter 3 of South of Midnight, allowing me to grasp the game’s characters, mechanics, and narratives. Although the immediate gameplay felt reminiscent, the world presented is like nothing I’ve encountered in gaming before.

South of Midnight introduces Hazel, a young woman who carries the designation of a Weaver – an individual with the unique power to heal spirits and mend broken relationships. The narrative commences when Hazel sets out to locate her missing mother, who was swept away by a hurricane that destroyed their home and sent it tumbling into a river. Along her journey, Hazel encounters a realm of eerie mythical beings and unwittingly awakens her own abilities as a Weaver. The story unfolds further as she delves deeper into her family’s hidden past in search of her mother.

In Chapter 3, we find ourselves following Hazel post her split from her mother and unveiling her special abilities. The unique aspect that caught my attention when experiencing South of Midnight was its stop-motion animation reminiscent of a Laika production (think Coraline or Kubo and the Two Strings). This style not only lends a cinematic flair but also showcases the character and creature designs brilliantly. Despite not having completed the entire game, I’m already yearning for Hazel and Catfish figurines to adorn my workspace.

South of Midnight’s gameplay combines elements of fighting and jumping through levels. To traverse the swamp, Hazel employs double-leaps and gliding mechanisms to cover long stretches. She can summon her spirit powers to transform damaged structures into temporary landing platforms, some of which need swift player responses to activate them promptly.

Fight scenes occur in confined areas where numerous adversaries shoot projectiles and physically attack Hazel. Besides regular hand-to-hand combat sequences, she possesses power-enhanced skills enabling her to launch enemies away, draw them closer like Scorpion, and stun them. These powers come with cool-down periods, so it’s essential to manage them wisely when dealing with groups of enemies simultaneously. On the game’s default difficulty level, I met my demise a few times as I familiarized myself with the rhythm of combat, learning when to dodge and when to activate my abilities. However, each battle zone features an item for healing that can be used once per engagement.

As you progress, you gain access to new powers or enhance current ones through the skill system. Enhancements typically involve boosting an ability’s power or amplifying the damage an enemy experiences when affected by it. These enhancements are purchased using “Floofs,” a type of currency discovered during your travels in the world.

In the south, Midnight After Dark caught my attention instantly due to its distinctive animation style and surprising blend of fantasy within a southern backdrop. The fighting was more conventional, yet offered enough difficulty to maintain my interest throughout Chapter 3. Compulsion Games has demonstrated an ability to create something strikingly unique with their first two games, and it seems they will continue this trend in Midnight After Dark.

The following is a sneak peek at the game ‘South of Midnight,’ which was played on an Xbox Series X. This game will be officially released on April 8, 2025, and can be played on both Xbox Series X|S consoles and PCs.

Read More

2025-02-11 19:27