South of Midnight is the newest from developer Compulsion Games and is being published by Xbox Studios. Compulsion Games are also the creators behind Contrast and We Happy Few have created a title mixing in magic and Southern Folklore to create an interesting project that is sure to peak the interest of anyone who is into RPGs. The game is set to come out on April 8th and is available on Xbox and PC.
Narrative And Setting
We play as Hazel, a young woman whose life takes a turn for the worst when a horrific hurricane tears through Prospero, her hometown. This hurricane transports her to a mystical Southern Gothic world that was only thought to exist in memory.
She must go through this memory made real and by going on an extensive journey to rescue her mother and protect what is left of her hometown. As such she will come across various creatures all of whom are present from Southern folktales and discover her power as a Weaver.
Without spoiling too much Hazel will use this weaving power to restore the mystical creatures that she comes across, fight dark, destructive forces called the Haints all to restore or “reweave” the environment from the tears that have formed.
Gameplay Mechanics And Exploration
In terms of combat Hazel uses two blades to strike the Haints in satisfying and cool looking combos that often stagger them. Coupled with the beautiful combo strings are a stun and a grapple making it easy to close distances and unleash a flurry of attacks.
Since it is an RPG there are lots to explore, those who have played iconic sony titles like the new God of War games or the Uncharted Series will feel right at home in South Of Midnight. There is no shortage of beautiful vistas of the mountains and valleys that the environment is inspired from.
There are towns and forests which blend in naturally invoking a surreal experience when exploring. Each distinct area has its own little story to tell featuring some creature from the folklore or a touching story about the residents there.
Visuals And Design
The developers went for a distinct art style that combines stop motion animation with canvas like colors that ultimately make it stand out from its peers. The details on each of the characters faces along with their clear animations add to the immersion.
Another worthwhile mention is the voice acting, it’s clear how well the voice acting has been directed as the emotions each character portrays comes across as authentic as possible. There isn’t a single character who felt out of place or inconsistent with the rest of the cast.
All of the monsters or beasts that are present in southern folklore like Two-toed Tom, Huggin’ Molly, Rougarou, Altamaha-ha, Honey Island Swamp Monster etc are reimagined beautifully each being as distinct and memorable as the last with unique colors that make them instantly stand out from the moment they enter the screen.
Conclusion
Although the game is set to come out on April 8th of this year reviewers who have gotten the game early have praised the experience that it promises. Complimenting on the story, combat and exploration. Particularly praising the fact that the game acknowledges the actual history of the south such presenting the remnants of slavery and how it still persists in some areas.
Although some may say that the 10 to 12 hour runtime is a bit short, potential buyers can be sure that each hour is filled with intrigue and in-depth moments that explores the story and never loses the attention of the player.
All in all South of Midnight is looking to be a worthwhile game for anyone looking for a short but immersive experience filled with satisfying combat, beautiful gothic environments and a compelling story that presents themes and incorporates folklore that has been rarely seen in video games till today.
