South of Midnight Reviews
The main success of South of Midnight lies in its unique identity. The new work from Compulsion Games showcases a modern stop-motion fable with dark overtones, drawing from the mysterious (and often tragic) charm of the folklore of the Deep South of the United States. The painstaking care taken in the artistic presentation (huge kudos to the marvelous soundtrack), however, does not find a similarly scrupulous realization in the game system. Although the linear structure is reassuring and welcoming, unfortunately the title never decides to explore its full potential, often leaving you with a bitter taste in your mouth. Net of its limitations, South of Midnight is a rich and meaningful experience that deserves to find a small place in the hearts of gamers.
Review in Italian | Read full review
South of Midnight is a product that lives on two souls. The first, the artistic one, is truly extraordinary. From the sound to the overall look, through the settings and narrative fabric, everything works great. The changes of pace and the constant surprises (even of the plot) will help you make up for the potential repetitiveness from which the gameplay suffers. The latter, in fact, is very basic and shallow; an obvious sacrificial victim in development, Compulsion Games clearly decided to focus heavily on something else. A compromise, in short, that in the end does not disqualify the experience itself too much, rather it does not allow it to excel. A pleasant, original game, with sometimes memorable elements (the music!). An excellent addition to the Game Pass catalog and, all in all, a pleasant surprise in this first part of 2025.
Review in Italian | Read full review
South of Midnight delivers a grounded action-adventure with atmospheric visuals and heartfelt storytelling. If you’re into slower-paced, story-first experiences, this one’s worth checking out.
The common thread with South of Midnight isn’t that there is something wrong, it’s more what is missing and what isn’t right, which can be equally as damaging. The combat is great, but it never evolves. Exploring the world is fun, but trust is never given. The traversal is satisfyingly fast and fluid, but it becomes rote. Most detrimental to the experience is that the ending is fine, but absent is the ending that this incredible adventure deserved. If you have the right expectations, you will be delightfully please and if you are on Game Pass, South of Midnight is a must. South of Midnight delivers a powerful story with unmatched atmosphere that easily overshadows the simplicity of the gameplay.
South of Midnight is a game that can surprise with its specific, interesting atmosphere, but at the same time, it lacks a 'wow' factor. All the elements present in the game are executed solidly, but 'solidity' alone isn’t enough to stand out among the premieres of other modern titles. Despite a certain 'blandness,' we get a game with an engaging story, dynamic gameplay, arcade-style platforming elements, and decent combat. If you enjoy linear, story-driven games with slight exploration and character progression, you’ll have a good time with South of Midnight. It’s simply a good game.
Review in Polish | Read full review
South of Midnight is one of the most memorable story-driven experiences of 2025. With a strong cast and a superb art style, anyone will enjoy a short but sweet journey, which will cling to your mind because of its endearing nature.
Despite my many remarks on things that felt a little off, like the repetitive combat, sometimes wooden platforming and disappointing final boss, there is an undeniable charm to South of Midnight that makes it a must-play for all Xbox fans. The music is fantastic and well-worth listening to outside of the game, the stories and legends told hit all the right emotional strings and it looks great too. For telling the story through songs alone, I’d wholly recommend everyone to give this a try and the good vastly outweighs the bad.
All in all, however, it's a title definitely worth a playthrough – if only to experience the music in conjunction with the gameplay!
Review in German | Read full review
South of Midnight is one of the greatest gems of this generation, a design that takes us back to the days of the PS3, with spectacular graphics, easy-to-learn gameplay and a lot of fun that flows at a good pace. It's a title to enjoy and cherish.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despite all my criticisms, this is a game that will have you swept up in the murky waters of the swamp. I was instantly wrapped up in the artistic and creative avenue it has taken, despite the combat not being the most riveting part of the gameplay.
South of Midnight proves itself to be a great new IP for Xbox and Compulsion Games’ best work yet. Despite some narrative-related issues and lukewarm combat, there is a lot to enjoy. If you have Xbox Game Pass, this is an absolute must-play.
Compulsion Games' new work is, without a doubt, their best work to date and a type of game that the Xbox family badly needed. A simple action and platform adventure, focused on the story but without neglecting the gameplay. One of those that, without being too long or dense, leave a great taste in the mouth when finished.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
South of Midnight is an early game of the year contender, but that’s not all. It’s one of the best games released in this generation, a game seriously vying for a place on my list of favorite games of all time, and an utter masterpiece that future developers will talk about.
South of Midnight feels like a game that wanted to soar but never really left the ground. It’s undeniably gorgeous and hints at a level of creativity that, under better direction, could have led to an unforgettable adventure. However, between the undercooked combat, stilted platforming, and a meandering story that can’t decide on its central theme, it’s tough to recommend without a few asterisks. Hazel deserved more, and so did we. For now, South of Midnight remains a curiosity—worth a glance if you’re keen on its aesthetics or folk-infused premise, but ultimately lacking the cohesion it needs to shine.
South of Midnight, to its strengths, plays out like an old-school 3D adventure game. Its focus on the American Deep South is remarkable, making this trip through the swamp an enjoyable one, even if it isn’t layered in mechanics and features.
A beautiful and wonderful surprise, South of Midnight is a delightful fantasy adventure title that crafts a uniquely southern story about connection and rebuilding harmony in a way that’s rare in videogames today. Hazel and the cast of characters are pleasant, the powers and abilities Hazel uses are plentiful and pleasing, the world is rich with engrossing natural environments, and the breeziness inherent within the game’s storytelling and accessibility makes it a stunning experience. The repetition does grate, and scrapping against haints could use more sparkle and empowerment, but otherwise South of Midnight is one of the best games this year and thoroughly deserves your attention.
South of Midnight, despite interesting previews, has unfortunately become a slight disappointment. The game offers an interesting story, which unfortunately falls apart in the middle of the game, and then picks up again at the end of the adventure. An abysmal combat system and very good platforming elements provide us with a rather uneven experience, which unfortunately falls short of the growing competition in this area of the video game industry.
Review in Polish | Read full review
South of Midnight is a triumphant entry into Compulsion Games’s library, offering a captivating narrative with likeable characters in a sheer spectacle of a world that you just wish you could spend more time in. The combat, while robust, may not satisfy all gamers, but the narrative and compelling worldbuilding are more than strong enough to shoulder that burden.
With a unique and exceptional visual style and soundtrack, South of Midnight delivers a highly enjoyable and engaging journey, even though the gameplay, while fun, can become a bit repetitive in the later stages of the game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
South of Midnight delivers a distinct narrative-driven experience, ideal for players seeking a story-rich adventure with minimal gameplay complexity. The game masterfully captures the ambiance and essence of the American Deep South, a setting rarely explored in gaming, making its atmospheric world a refreshing and welcome addition. However, its gameplay elements function more as supporting features rather than core strengths. Combat, while accessible, lacks depth, leading to repetition over time. Similarly, traversal mechanics are straightforward and primarily move players from one point to another, offering little in the way of dynamic exploration or engagement.