In our South of Midnight review, we discussed the game’s strong narrative structure, visual aesthetics, and weak combat system in detail.
South of Midnight review: This action-adventure game, the latest work from Compulsion Games, seems to be talked about for a long time with its technical and mechanical choices as well as its narrative power. Blending Southern gothic aesthetics and African-American folklore with stop-motion visuals and ballad narration, South of Midnight offers the player a deep narrative while also drawing attention with its controversial gameplay decisions.
South of Midnight Review: A Southern Gothic Journey
Hazel is the central character in South of Midnight. She is an athletic, intelligent, and sassy teenager who lives in a mobile home with her mother in the South. In the opening scene, a tornado takes Hazel’s mother and her home, sending her on a journey through a magical reality in search of her mother. This narrative follows the classic hero’s journey archetype, while also making clear references to iconic texts such as The Wizard of Oz.
However, Hazel’s journey is not just a “search” act; she has to complete the unsolved folk tales of the characters she meets along the way, saving them from their own fates. These stories are sometimes funny, sometimes disturbing, and often touching. Hazel goes on a physical and emotional journey with these stories, and each completed story brings her closer to both her mother and herself.
Technical Evaluation
South of Midnight uses an older version of the Unreal Engine. While this choice brings with it some graphical limitations, the game’s visual design largely makes up for this. The marshy coves, abandoned mansions, dim forest paths and supernatural beings of the American South are rendered with such detail and soul that the technological limitations become negligible.
The game features a stop-motion effect by default . While this visual style is effective in emphasizing the otherworldly nature of the narrative, it can be jarring for some players in practice. Indeed, players experiencing frame rate issues may choose to disable the effect – which can be detrimental to the experience.
Despite the game not featuring advanced dynamic lighting technologies such as Lumen , South of Midnight’s lighting system manages to create an impressive atmosphere. Fixed light sources successfully support emotional transitions with varying light temperatures from area to area. Soft shadows and low-contrast light transitions, especially in semi-dark environments such as swamps , deepen the mood of the spaces.
In addition, the use of shadow is not only aesthetic, but also functional as a narrative tool . The density and position of the shadow direct how the player should feel psychologically: dangerous, anxious, or melancholic. Volumetric lighting effects , when combined with details such as dusty air or morning mist, give the player an almost tactile sense of space. Despite these technical limitations, the result is a successful example of how aesthetics and function can be balanced.
Sound Design and Performance
The voice acting and performance capture quality in South of Midnight is top notch. Not a single actor in the cast is smiling, and the characters are authentic and believable. This success plays a major role in conveying the emotional intensity of the narrative.
The musical score functions almost like a character. Folk songs, hymns, blues tunes and cinematic tones are intertwined. Occasional moments when a narrative folk song accompanies a dramatic escalation are memorable. Still, the integration of some pieces into the sequences can feel unbalanced at times.
Combat System
Unfortunately, the game’s weak point is its action mechanics. Hazel’s fighting repertoire is rich on paper: light and heavy attacks, dodging, four special abilities. In practice, however, the combat system tries to create a Souls-lite feel but fails. The camera control, target lock-on system, and animation delays are all annoyances.
The vast majority of fights take place in narrow spaces with repetitive enemy types. This makes the gameplay monotonous and even a chore. It is open to question why a structure that progresses only with fighting mechanics was preferred for a smart and agile character like Hazel. More creative solutions such as cheating, stealth or word games could have been much more suitable for the spirit of the game.
Movement and Exploration
Hazel’s environmental mobility works better than combat. Moves like double jumping, wall running, grappling hooks, and power pushing are used for both exploration and puzzle solving. The environment design generally supports these mechanics.
These systems aren’t perfect, though. Parkour sequences can feel directionless, repetitive, and thrown in for variety at times. These sections are also underpinned by action music that clashes with the game’s atmospheric folk music, further adding to the sense of disjointedness.
The Weight of a Narrative, the Lightness of a Play
South of Midnight offers an impressive narrative and visual experience, but it is mechanically inconsistent and at times inadequate. Hazel’s story and thematic depth make the game meaningful. However, the mediocrity of the combat system placed at the center of the game and the technical flaws create a sharp contrast in this magical atmosphere.
