South of Midnight Reviews
South of Midnight succeeds at shedding light on stories not often told and does it by offering unique perspectives, but this is also a situation where the game itself isn’t as interesting as its imposed experience.
South of Midnight is a solid action-adventure title elevated by its style, storytelling and cast of memorable characters.
South of Midnight has a very good story that strongly represents the effects of trauma and how some people handle them. However, the combat is pretty much the sole reason why this game didn’t reach its full potential.
South of Midnight is a beautifully crafted, delicately designed, story filled with heart, soul and positive energy. The world is stunning, the characters and the story they drive are memorable, and there’s a lovely mix of puzzles to keep you invested. While combat is the weaker point of the game, the boss battles coupled with the player progression do help bring this back up to a level of a game that deserves your time and attention.
The difference between a good game and a bad one is that a good game knows exactly how to highlight and showcase its strengths, and South of Midnight is a perfect example of that. Despite all the gameplay and design issues, the artistic and narrative aspects were so impressive and well-executed that they elevated the overall experience, making it a generally good game.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
While the combat system in South of Midnight may not immediately stand out due to its lack of originality, and certain platforming sections could benefit from further refinement, the game more than makes up for it with its remarkable emotional depth and captivating artistic direction. Every detail—from the hand-drawn animation to the masterfully crafted sound design—is executed with such precision and care that it creates an atmosphere that is both immersive and unforgettable. The game’s ability to draw the player into its world, even with a few rough edges, speaks to its remarkable depth and emotional resonance. This is a project with a soul that will undoubtedly find a place in players’ hearts, lingering long after they have completed the journey.
South of Midnight is not a game for everyone - and that is its biggest advantage. Those looking for fast-paced combat, open level design and complex gameplay will not find what they are looking for here. However, those who want to embark on an emotional adventure that combines cultural depth, creative imagery and a touching story will be offered a special experience here. And the visual style is worth at least taking a look at.
Review in German | Read full review
South of Midnight impresses with its unique Southern Gothic setting and stunning visuals, but falls short due to repetitive gameplay, shallow storytelling, and lackluster combat.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
South of Midnight is a soulful action-adventure that immerses players in the eerie charm of the American South, brought to life through a stunning world, heartfelt character stories, and a haunting soundtrack. While the main narrative stumbles at times and some technical issues persist, its artistic style, stop-motion feel, and emotional depth make it a memorable experience. Compulsion Games has crafted something truly unique—flawed, but unforgettable.
Review in German | Read full review
If you’re seeking a game with a strong identity and plenty of heart, South of Midnight is worth exploring.
Nothing it does truly elevates itself to the greatness of the Southern Gothic look it’s going for, and in a lot of ways, gets in the way of truly enjoying the beautiful locales that are shown. There are only so many times you can enter a circular combat chamber and fight the same enemies over and over with subpar abilities before it gets droll. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the area outside of that arena is.
South of Midnight is a fantastic representation of the Deep South and its folklore. It has great visuals, engaging characters, a charming story, and music that will leave your jaw on the floor. While there are certainly flaws with the repetition of the combat, the frustrating platforming, and the lack of development of certain characters, these issues pale in the face of just how well Compulsion Games managed to execute this great work of art.
South of Midnight is a creative triumph trapped in the wrong medium. Its gorgeous animation, heartfelt voicework, and rich world-building shine—but a dull, vestigial combat system drags it down. It’s not just missed potential; this should’ve been a movie, not a middling action-adventure game.
South of Midnight has so many characters I want to see more of because of their natural dialogue and strong relationships, both built and pre-existing. It does feel like it tries to do a lot in a single game, in the event that a sequel can’t be made. But there’s so much to like here, that Compulsion Games should get to make another game set in this world, for it’s so lived in. South of Midnight is bona fide storybook classic full of character and culture, and a game to be remembered and treasured.
The year 2025 has barely begun, but I'm certain that, until the end, South of Midnight will continue to be one of the most fun, fascinating, and enchanting experiences I've ever played. I loved every minute exploring the southern United States, every visible detail that was clearly created with love by the team at Compulsion Games. The cultural knowledge applied by the developers is top-notch – South of Midnight is not just a game, but also a work of art and a piece of interactive history. The simplicity of the gameplay may not appeal to everyone, but that's just a detail in a sea of qualities.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
South of Midnight’s plot never felt boring, holding my attention from start to finish. It’s a short experience that only took me eight hours to complete, yet one that I'll remember for much longer. If you have any interest at all in the game, please check it out, especially if you have a Game Pass subscription. It’s a tale unlike most action adventures, and it knows how to tug on your heartstrings.
South of Midnight is an artistically impressive game, but unfortunately, its gameplay fails to keep pace with its ambitions.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
In the end, South of Midnight is a decent game with a rich Southern environment, distinct folklore, and a compelling Hazel tale. Playing with the platforming elements is fun, exploring the world is exciting, and discovering legendary creatures of the world is exciting.
I found South of Midnight to be a very enjoyable game that has a lot of value to it. Hazel is a strong protagonist, and the folklore monsters and their backstories take center stage as truly masterful storytelling. Boss fights and traversal keep things fun outside of cutscenes, but the fights with haints were tiring, at best.
Thanks to the artistic aspects and the good mix of gameplay South of Midnight is the best game Compulsion Games has made so far.
Review in Italian | Read full review