South of Midnight

2025 video game
ReleaseAug 15 2025Genre(s)Action-adventureMode(s)Single-player

South of Midnight is upcoming action-adventure video game developed by Compulsion Games and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game is set in a fictionalized American Deep South. It is scheduled to be released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.

Gameplay

South of Midnight is a third-person action-adventure game. Players take on the role of Hazel, who learns an ancient weaving power to explore the Deep South mythos and confront mysterious creatures.[1] The gameplay is centered around Hazel’s ability to use her weaving powers for combat, traversal, and solving puzzles. The game uses stop-motion animation for its cutscenes. The game has a dark modern folktale driven by character development, lyrical music inspired by the American South, and a narrative that delves into Southern folklore.[2][3]

Premise

The game is set in a gothic fantasy American Deep South setting. South of Midnight follows Hazel’s journey after a hurricane devastates her hometown of Prospero. Pulled into a Southern Gothic reality where folklore creatures emerge, Hazel must become a Weaver—a magical mender of broken bonds and spirits. Along the way, Hazel encounters all kinds of mythical creatures based on South American legends.[1]As she confronts enemy creatures known as Haints and untangles her family’s past, Hazel seeks to reweave the tears in the Grand Tapestry and find a place that feels like home.[4]

Development

South of Midnight is being developed by Compulsion Games, the creators of We Happy Few and Contrast. It marks Compulsion's first game developed under Microsoft Gaming, following their acquisition by the company in 2018. The game was originally developed under the codename Project Midnight. Details of the game first leaked via Windows Central in 2021, where concept art was revealed.[5] The game was officially announced at Xbox Games Showcase on June 12, 2023.[6] On June 9, 2024, Compulsion Games showcased the first gameplay trailer for the game and announced that it would be released in 2025.[7]

References

  • Official website
  1. ^ a b updated, Alexander Cope last (2024-05-23). "South of Midnight FAQ: Xbox Game Pass, story, platforms, and everything you need to know". Windows Central. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  2. ^ updated, Heather WaldContributions from Jasmine Gould-Wilson last (2023-06-11). "South of Midnight: Everything we know so far". gamesradar. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  3. ^ published, Harvey Randall (2024-06-09). "South of Midnight, a gorgeous action adventure game with weighty, Souls-adjacent combat and stylised cutscenes will be dodge-rolling onto PC next year". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  4. ^ "South of Midnight Gameplay and Story Info | Everything We Know So Far｜Game8". Game8｜The Top Gaming and App Walkthroughs Straight from Japan!. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  5. ^ updated, Jez Corden last (2021-11-11). "New upcoming Xbox exclusives revealed: Project 'Midnight' from Compulsion and 'Pentiment' from Obsidian". Windows Central. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  6. ^ Stedman, Alex (2023-06-11). "South of Midnight, New Game From We Happy Few Developer, Unveiled at Xbox Showcase". IGN. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  7. ^ Stewart, Marcus. "Southern Gothic Action Game South Of Midnight Gets First Gameplay Trailer And 2025 Launch Window". Game Informer. Retrieved 2024-06-27.

External links