South of Midnight Reviews
Overall, we had a good time with South of Midnight, as the game gives us plenty of options to customize the experience to our needs, such as simply skipping the battles we don't like. If you have a Game Pass subscription, you can also check it out for yourself without obligation, as the title will be available there right from release.
Review in German | Read full review
South of Midnight is the work of Compulsion Games, a studio whose previous project, We Happy Few, literally tickled the fancy of only a happy few, th...
With an eye catching aesthetic, unique setting, and a refreshing lack of bloat, South of Midnight is an enjoyable narrative driven action-adventure romp of the type we get all too infrequently in the age of live services and open worlds.
With a thoughtful message, soulful world, and beautifully imaginative design to push things along, Compulsion delivers a classic adventure seemingly beyond their weight class with South of Midnight. It's the exact, elusive story-driven diamond in the rough that Xbox has been in search of for generations now.
South of Midnight comes out swinging with an incredible story, but the gameplay just isn't there to back it up.
South of Midnight delivers one of the most interesting and visually stunning settings in recent memory. It feels like a tribute to the Deep South; it shows reverence to actual folklore while adding its own interesting twists that interweave with Hazel's family history and the story Compulsion Games wanted to tell. Its traversal and combat don't offer anything we haven't seen before, but it's a well-made experience, with its biggest crime being overly familiar systems. What it lacks in gameplay innovation, it more than makes up for with its quirky storytelling and style; ultimately, South of Midnight offers a distinct and gripping point of view that's hard not to fall in love with.
Despite some minor tech issues and lack of any real unique gameplay elements. I really enjoyed my time with South Of Midnight, its story and protagonist Hazel connected with me in a way I didn't expect. The setting and art direction give South Of Midnight an identity all it's own.
South of Midnight accomplishes what it has set out to do, offering players something truly unique, empathetic, and enthralling.
When South of Midnight fully commits to its unique ideas and inspirations, carried by Olivier Deriviere's outstanding score, it is great. But when it is afraid to step out of the line, we get a standard, solid action-adventure with and oldschool vibe. If only the gameplay designers would inject more creative juice into their work, it would be a fantastic game. As it is, it’s simply good.
Review in Polish | Read full review
South of Midnight is one tall tale you wont want to miss.
A unique and charming experience that is technically and mechanically ok at best.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Down by the South, folks speak of a tale. Tale of Weavers, who once tethered this world. One, that is dangerous yet beautiful, woven with the utmost original yarns. But as stigma and trauma reeks throughout these gothic lands now, there is almost no hope. But a newfound weaver of Prospero, Hazel, equipped with her trusty hooks attempts to stitch up the torn Grand Tapestry, through her epic combat skills, amazing visual language all the while a banger soundtrack accompanies her on the journey to find her lost mother!
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Compulsion Games signs what is undoubtedly its magna opus with South of Midnight. A tremendous adventure in a fictional corner of the deep south of the United States that takes a multitude of influences to create a world as peculiar as it is attractive. Shocking visually, outstanding musically and with characters and interpretations more than up to par, the new Microsoft Studios manages to catch with an addictive and fluid gameplay that ends up shaping a rounded product and 100% recommendable
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A dark fairy tale featuring one of the most atmospheric soundscapes I've encountered in recent years. Yet, repetitive combat and exploration mechanics, steeped in outdated design, prevent South of Midnight from being remembered as a classic.
Review in Italian | Read full review
South of Midnight might deceive you at first with its enchanting art style and captivating premise, but it doesn’t take long to reveal its true nature. Despite offering an intriguing narrative plot, boredom and monotony gradually creep into the experience due to excessive repetition, limited level design, and a weak gameplay system ultimately making it a fleeting experience that falls short of its promises.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
South of Midnight is a third-person action adventure that is rather restrained but has all the credentials to make its mark among titles in the genre. In fact, the structure built by Compulsion Games is valid and enjoyable to play. Much importance has been given to plot and setting, inspired by South American folklore. To succeed in this intent, the Canadian team has decided to create rather linear and circumscribed maps, setting up a functional but not too complex gameplay. In short, the idea is that Compulsion Games has decided to stay in its comfort zone without daring too much. A choice that, sincerely, we appreciated considering that a wide and structured game is not always synonymous with success. Better little but done well.
Review in Italian | Read full review
South of Midnight falls short in only very few areas of the experience. But what remains between and after feels timeless. A short 10+ hour linear story-driven game with a level of addictive forward momentum that feels like a classic being born. The combat and enemy design work hand-in-hand with the dark and surprise-filled story in a unique way. Compulsion Games gave it their all almost every single step of the way. It is a soulful journey that is worth experiencing for yourself.
South of Midnight is recommended for having a clear and well-defined identity. Its atmosphere, worked in detail, and a protagonist with charisma and emotional weight manage to sustain the whole adventure. It is a unique proposal with personality for those who are looking for something different, with its own soul.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
South of Midnight is exactly what I expected and, in some ways, what I hoped for: a polished, enjoyable, no-frills 'AA' experience, but rich in character. It's not a game that aims to revolutionize the market or compete for the Game of the Year title, but it represents that kind of mid-sized, artistically valuable production focused on a specific story, which I consider essential in the current gaming ecosystem. It's clear that Compulsion Games has learned the lesson from We Happy Few, choosing the path of narrative simplicity (which proved successful) rather than pursuing perhaps excessive ambition. This game is a huge improvement compared to the studio's past work. The gameplay criticisms, however, remain, and I sincerely hope the team will learn from them for future projects. Despite its gameplay flaws, South of Midnight left me with a very good overall impression thanks to its unique atmosphere, its splendid art, its very enjoyable soundtrack, and a story that knows how to strike the right chords. If you are looking for a linear, artistically inspired, and narratively engaging adventure, and you are willing to turn a blind eye to functional but repetitive gameplay, South of Midnight definitely deserves a chance when it arrives on Xbox Series X|S and PC next April 8th
Review in Italian | Read full review
I'm going to be very blunt: I like games with big narratives, and South of Midnight hit the nail on the head for me.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review