South of Midnight
" Atmospheric action-adventure with unique stop-motion art and soulful soundtrack but repetitive combat "
South of Midnight Review
South of Midnight is a visually stunning narrative-driven game set in the American Deep South, rich with folklore and Black cultural influences. Players follow Hazel, a Black protagonist and Weaver, on an emotional journey of loss, healing, and identity. The game's unique stop-motion art style and soulful soundtrack blending blues, jazz, and folk are widely praised for creating an immersive atmosphere.
While the story and world-building receive high marks, gameplay mechanics, especially combat, are often criticized for being repetitive, clunky, and sometimes frustrating. Platforming and exploration are generally simple and linear but serve the narrative well. Accessibility options, including combat skipping, help tailor the experience. Some players experienced technical issues such as performance hiccups and bugs. Overall, the game is valued for its heartfelt storytelling and cultural representation, though the gameplay may not satisfy those seeking deep or challenging mechanics.
Highlights
The game's art direction and stop-motion animation are frequently described as breathtaking and unique, evoking a storybook feel. The soundtrack, blending blues, jazz, and folk, is a standout feature that deeply enhances the narrative and atmosphere.
The storyline is emotionally resonant, exploring themes of trauma, healing, and Southern folklore with a Black protagonist, providing much-needed cultural representation. Characters are well-written and relatable. Accessibility features allow players to customize difficulty and skip combat encounters.
Exploration and platforming are enjoyable and intuitive, complementing the narrative focus.
Criticisms
Combat is widely regarded as the weakest aspect, described as repetitive, clunky, and lacking depth. Many found the melee system unsatisfying, with awkward targeting and camera issues leading to unfair deaths. The enemy variety is limited, and combat encounters often feel like tedious arena fights.
Some players noted performance issues and bugs, including graphical glitches and occasional game-breaking bugs during chase sequences. The pacing and storytelling sometimes suffer from uneven character reactions and rushed resolutions. Platforming, while functional, is simple and may not challenge experienced players.
The game’s relatively short length and linear structure also drew mixed opinions regarding value for money at full price.
Pros
- • Unique and beautiful stop-motion art style creates a captivating atmosphere.
- • Soulful soundtrack blending blues, jazz, and folk enhances immersion.
- • Emotionally resonant story with strong cultural representation.
- • Well-written, relatable characters with meaningful dialogue.
- • Accessible gameplay options including combat skipping and difficulty tuning.
- • Engaging exploration and platforming complement the narrative.
- • Impressive world-building rooted in Southern folklore and mythology.
Cons
- • Combat is repetitive, clunky, and lacks depth or challenge.
- • Camera and targeting issues cause frustrating combat deaths.
- • Performance problems and occasional bugs disrupt gameplay.
- • Story pacing uneven with some rushed resolutions and character reactions.
- • Limited enemy variety makes combat encounters feel monotonous.
- • Platforming is simple and may not satisfy experienced players.
- • Linear structure and short length may reduce replay value.
Rating Criteria
South of Midnight is a new action-adventure from Compulsion Games. Explore the mythos and confront mysterious creatures of the Deep South in this modern folktale while learning to weave an ancient power to surmount obstacles and unravel your family’s hidden past.