Game Information -------------------- **Game Title**: South of Midnight **Platforms**: - Xbox Series X/S (Apr 8, 2025) - PC (Apr 8, 2025) **Trailers**: - [Weaving Hazel's Journey - A South of Midnight Documentary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17zwqjbje6g) - [South of Midnight - Gameplay Reveal - Xbox Games Showcase 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4UHyaaWXuw) **Developer**: Compulsion Games **Publisher**: Xbox Games Studios **Review Aggregator**: **[OpenCritic - 80 average - 76% recommended - 50 reviews](https://opencritic.com/game/18309/south-of-midnight)** Critic Reviews ------------- **[A Gaming Network](https://opencritic.com/outlet/954/a-gaming-network)** - [Marcel Dee](https://opencritic.com/critic/11168/marcel-dee) - [8 / 10](http://www.agamingnetwork.com/south-of-midnight-review/) >A Love Letter to the Deep South. South of Midnight is an evocative and beautifully crafted experience that blends folklore, storytelling, and action into a mesmerizing package. Despite some gameplay shortcomings, its breathtaking presentation, compelling narrative, and rich world-building make it a standout title. >The game may not be for everyone—especially those looking for fast-paced action or deep RPG mechanics—but for players who appreciate a well-told story wrapped in a visually unique and culturally rich setting, South of Midnight is a journey worth taking. ------------- **[But Why Tho?](https://opencritic.com/outlet/722/but-why-tho-)** - [Kate Sanchez](https://opencritic.com/critic/6626/kate-sanchez) - [9 / 10](https://butwhytho.net/2025/04/south-of-midnight-review-compulsion-games/) >Ultimately, Compulsion Games has created a love letter to the South, to its beauty and its stories. The dark fairytale we see in South of Midnight is narratively one of the heaviest hitters I've played, and that's something special. ------------- **[CGMagazine](https://opencritic.com/outlet/82/cgmagazine)** - [Justin Wood](https://opencritic.com/critic/8041/justin-wood) - [7 / 10](https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/south-of-midnight-xbox-series-x/) >South of Midnight comes out swinging with an incredible story, but the gameplay just isn't there to back it up. ------------- **[Checkpoint Gaming](https://opencritic.com/outlet/563/checkpoint-gaming)** - [Luke Mitchell](https://opencritic.com/critic/4403/luke-mitchell) - [8 / 10](https://checkpointgaming.net/reviews/2025/04/south-of-midnight-review-a-tale-worth-weaving/) >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. ------------- **[ComicBook.com](https://opencritic.com/outlet/862/comicbook-com)** - [Michael Murphy](https://opencritic.com/critic/10866/michael-murphy) - [4 / 5 ](https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/south-of-midnight-review-xbox-pc/) >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. ------------- **[Console Creatures](https://opencritic.com/outlet/798/console-creatures)** - [Bobby Pashalidis](https://opencritic.com/critic/7698/bobby-pashalidis) - [8 / 10](https://www.consolecreatures.com/south-of-midnight-review/) >South of Midnight has a lot to love, from the incredible use of stop-motion to the sweeping score and accompanying blues music to the personal story of Hazel and the American South setting. ------------- **[GameSpot](https://opencritic.com/outlet/32/gamespot)** - [Jordan Ramée](https://opencritic.com/critic/4760/jordan-ram-e) - [8 / 10](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/south-of-midnight-review-a-love-letter-to-the-american-deep-south/1900-6418352/) >South of Midnight makes up for its orthodox gameplay with a fantastic story, well-researched setting, and an incredibly catchy lyric-driven soundtrack. ------------- **[Gamepressure](https://opencritic.com/outlet/870/gamepressure)** - [Michał Grygorcewicz](https://opencritic.com/critic/4438/micha-grygorcewicz) - [Unscored](https://www.gamepressure.com/editorials/reviews/south-of-midnight-review-best-music-score-of-the-year/z275f) >South of Midnight is a pure mid-budget game that doesn't even try to challenge the biggest launches of the first half of the year, but has enough character and charm to provide about ten hours of decent fun. [Review in progress] ------------- **[Gamer Social Club](https://opencritic.com/outlet/895/gamer-social-club)** - [Dan Jackson](https://opencritic.com/critic/10624/dan-jackson) - [8.5 / 10](https://gamersocialclub.ca/2025/04/03/south-of-midnight-review/) >As a whole it’s hard not to come away from South Of Midnight glowing. Its vibrant world, charismatic characters, incredible soundtrack and mythical creatures are true works of art. Going through that world as Hazel was a joy to do despite the repetitive combat. With a bit more variety in enemies and switching up the formula just a touch here and there, South Of Midnight could have been truly special. ------------- **[Glitched Africa](https://opencritic.com/outlet/687/glitched-africa)** - [Marco Cocomello](https://opencritic.com/critic/2466/marco-cocomello) - [7.5 / 10](https://www.glitched.africa/south-of-midnight-review/) >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. ------------- **[Kakuchopurei](https://opencritic.com/outlet/788/kakuchopurei)** - [Lewis Larcombe](https://opencritic.com/critic/9310/lewis-larcombe) - [70 / 100](https://www.kakuchopurei.com/2025/04/south-of-midnight-review-kkp/) >[...] South of Midnight is a visually stunning, atmospheric game with a great concept, but falls short in execution. The story and setting? Brilliant. The mechanics? Solid but underdeveloped. The boss fights? Repetitive. The length? Shorter than expected. > >It’s one of those games that could’ve been truly special with just a bit more depth and variety. But as it stands, it’s a good game—just not a great one. ------------- **[Life is Xbox](https://opencritic.com/outlet/398/life-is-xbox)** - [Robby Bisschop](https://opencritic.com/critic/4075/robby-bisschop) - [80 / 100](https://www.lifeisxbox.eu/xbox-review-south-of-midnight/) >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. ------------- **[Loot Level Chill](https://opencritic.com/outlet/948/loot-level-chill)** - [Steve Chambers](https://opencritic.com/critic/10017/steve-chambers) - [8 / 10](https://lootlevelchill.com/reviews/south-of-midnight-review/) >South of Midnight is a refreshing and satisfying action-adventure that has all of the trappings and nostalgia of the classics of yesteryear, yet has all of the bells and whistles you’d associate with modern gaming. ------------- **[MKAU Gaming](https://opencritic.com/outlet/860/mkau-gaming)** - [Stacie Cotton](https://opencritic.com/critic/9284/stacie-cotton) - [8 / 10](https://www.mkaugaming.com/all-review-list/south-of-midnight-xbox-series-x-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. ------------- **[NextPlay](https://opencritic.com/outlet/897/nextplay)** - [Brad Goodwin](https://opencritic.com/critic/10643/brad-goodwin) - [9 / 10](https://next-play.com.au/south-of-midnight-review-no-loose-threads/) >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. ------------- **[Nexus Hub](https://opencritic.com/outlet/528/nexus-hub)** - [Andrew Logue](https://opencritic.com/critic/3996/andrew-logue) - [8 / 10](https://nexushub.co.za/nexus/review-south-of-midnight.html) >South of Midnight plays it relatively safe in the gameplay department, but inspired art direction, strong characters and consistently great writing and voice acting make it Compulsion Games' most impressive work yet. ------------- **[Noisy Pixel](https://opencritic.com/outlet/711/noisy-pixel)** - [Azario Lopez](https://opencritic.com/critic/2507/azario-lopez) - [5.5 / 10](https://noisypixel.net/south-of-midnight-review/) >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. ------------- **[One More Game](https://opencritic.com/outlet/811/one-more-game)** - [Chris Garcia](https://opencritic.com/critic/8410/chris-garcia) - [7 / 10](https://onemoregame.ph/2025/04/south-of-midnight-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. ------------- **[Press Start](https://opencritic.com/outlet/491/press-start)** - [8.5 / 10](https://press-start.com.au/reviews/xbox-series-x-reviews/2025/04/04/south-of-midnight-review-a-grand-tapestry/) >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. ------------- **[Restart.run](https://opencritic.com/outlet/940/restart-run)** - [Ryan Easby](https://opencritic.com/critic/8709/ryan-easby) - [Essential](https://www.restart.run/articles/south-of-midnight-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. ------------- **[SIFTER](https://opencritic.com/outlet/857/sifter)** - [Adam Christou](https://opencritic.com/critic/9153/adam-christou) - [Liked-a-lot](https://www.sifter.com.au/post/south-of-midnight-weaves-a-short-and-sweet-southern-adventure-tale-action-xbox-fighting) >Compulsion Games’ brand new action platformer for Xbox brings together tight platforming, brilliant art direction and a compelling cast for a memorable romp through a fantasy American Deep South. What will stay with me most is how South Of Midnight explores its themes of trauma and forgiveness.  Those who have been hurt most are offered respite. This damage can’t be reversed, but Hazel can help people move on. ------------- **[Shacknews](https://opencritic.com/outlet/62/shacknews)** - [Donovan Erskine](https://opencritic.com/critic/4485/donovan-erskine) - [8 / 10](https://www.shacknews.com/article/143758/south-of-midnight-review-score) >South of Midnight is an impressive narrative feat from Compulsion Games. It's a well-paced adventure that goes big on characters and story, though combat and platforming feel a bit uniform. I hope it's not the last we've seen of this world and these characters. ------------- **[Stevivor](https://opencritic.com/outlet/424/stevivor)** - [Steve Wright](https://opencritic.com/critic/3165/steve-wright) - [8.5 / 10](https://stevivor.com/reviews/south-of-midnight-review-one-to-experience/) >South of Midnight accomplishes what it has set out to do, offering players something truly unique, empathetic, and enthralling. ------------- **[The Beta Network](https://opencritic.com/outlet/844/the-beta-network)** - [Anthony Culinas](https://opencritic.com/critic/8928/anthony-culinas) - [6 / 10](https://thebetanetwork.net/articles/south-of-midnight-review/) >South of Midnight is a visually distinctive action-platformer with tight platforming mechanics and a unique stop-motion aesthetic, but it suffers from excessive hand-holding, lackluster combat, and a story that leans too heavily on exposition. While its momentum-driven traversal can be satisfying, the rigid level design, repetitive encounters and underdeveloped narrative threads prevent it from reaching its full potential. ------------- **[The Games Machine](https://opencritic.com/outlet/497/the-games-machine)** - [Alessandro Alosi](https://opencritic.com/critic/6452/alessandro-alosi) - *Italian* - [7.5 / 10](https://www.thegamesmachine.it/south-of-midnight-pc-xbox-series-x-s/south-of-midnight-recensione/) >South of Midnight is a decent single player action-adventure, overall and without giving too much weight to the linear gameplay or to some technical and structural limitations. Narratively and artistically it is really intriguing, too bad that from a gameplay perspective it shows much less courage. ------------- **[The Nerd Stash](https://opencritic.com/outlet/884/the-nerd-stash)** - [Julio La Pine](https://opencritic.com/critic/10143/julio-la-pine) - [9 / 10](https://thenerdstash.com/south-of-midnight-review-untangling-the-past/) >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. ------------- **[The Outerhaven Productions](https://opencritic.com/outlet/335/the-outerhaven-productions)** - [Jordan Andow](https://opencritic.com/critic/8998/jordan-andow) - [4 / 5 ](https://www.theouterhaven.net/south-of-midnight-review/) >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. ------------- **[Toisto](https://opencritic.com/outlet/953/toisto)** - [Joonatan Itkonen](https://opencritic.com/critic/11047/joonatan-itkonen) - [3 / 5 ](https://toisto.net/p/south-of-midnight-review) >It’s a weird juxtaposition to have a progressive story against a regressive game, but that kind of contradiction feels almost perfect for South of Midnight. It is, after all, a game about how messy we are as people, and how, sometimes, it makes us so unique in the end. ------------- **[VDGMS](https://opencritic.com/outlet/926/vdgms)** - [Darren Andrew](https://opencritic.com/critic/10907/darren-andrew) - [7 / 10](https://www.vdgms.com/reviews/south-of-midnight-review) >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. ------------- **[Xbox Achievements](https://opencritic.com/outlet/152/xbox-achievements)** - [Richard Walker](https://opencritic.com/critic/679/richard-walker) - [90%](https://www.xboxachievements.com/game/south-of-midnight/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... ------------- **[Xbox Tavern](https://opencritic.com/outlet/949/xbox-tavern)** - [James Davie](https://opencritic.com/critic/10192/james-davie) - [9 / 10](https://www.xboxtavern.com/south-of-midnight-review/) >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. ------------- **[XboxEra](https://opencritic.com/outlet/758/xboxera)** - [Jesse Norris](https://opencritic.com/critic/7583/jesse-norris) - [8.5 / 10](https://xboxera.com/2025/04/03/south-of-midnight-review/) >South of Midnight is a stunningly beautiful and moving experience. While the gameplay doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, it combines excellent writing and music to move your soul in ways only the best games can. This title is an enormous step-up for Compulsion Games, and I hope this isn’t the last we see from Hazel Flood.

> After four hours with Switch 2, and time with all of its new first-party games, I can see it - though the console's more experimental side is also its weaker. Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with creating a better version of a hugely-successful console, keeping the main Switch concept of hybrid play intact while improving the elements that needed an upgrade: the Switch 1's aged processing power, its fussy Joy-Con attachments, its basic online social capabilities. With Switch 2 in your hands, you hold a console that can tick off a string of current-gen console standards: 4K, HDR, VRR and 120fps, at least on some titles. And while I'll leave the pixel analysis to Digital Foundry, it is evident just from a quick play with Switch 2's first-party software that Nintendo is now able to feed off of significantly more power under the hood. > > Mario Kart World's open landscape is a dramatic revolution for the series - a gamble that I believe pays off, and a new landmark entry that seems likely to rival the huge popularity of [Mario Kart 8 Deluxe](https://www.eurogamer.net/games/mario-kart-8-deluxe)over Nintendo's last generation. [I've written my detailed thoughts on Mario Kart World's brilliance elsewhere](https://www.eurogamer.net/mario-kart-world-reinvents-the-series-and-feels-like-switch-2s-killer-app-after-an-hour-of-hands-on-play). And then there's Donkey Kong Bananza, which ended the Switch 2 Direct in a slot many had expected to be reserved for a long-awaited new 3D Mario, but after some hands-on time actually feels just as exciting.

TL;DR there seem to be some games that are *not* compatible including the Nintendo Labo VR kit. 99% of games seem fine.

By far the funniest part of the direct. Nintendo discovers voice-chat.

Still no article for this, but they've been announced in these videos [Coming to Nintendo Switch 2: Partner Spotlight Part 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t34cyaGjJA) [Coming to Nintendo Switch 2: Partner Spotlight Part 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrXgnDfqP4Y)

Wheelchair basketball. With janky motion controls. A game about an accessible sport is the least accessible of them all, thank you Nintendo.

BLOODBORNE 2 IS A NINTENDO EXCLUSIVE WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5CjmHLUQQI

Previews and first impressions of the new Doom game are out from various game journalists! IGN: [Doom: The Dark Ages - We've Played It!](https://www.ign.com/articles/doom-the-dark-ages-weve-played-it) PC Gamer: [Doom: The Dark Ages' melee-heavy, parry-focused gameplay was nothing like I expected, and now I'm more eager to play the full thing than ever](https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/doom-the-dark-ages-melee-heavy-parry-focused-gameplay-was-nothing-like-i-expected-and-now-im-more-eager-to-play-the-full-thing-than-ever/) Eurogamer: [Hands-on with Doom: The Dark Ages reveals another reinvention, but one that feels less cleanly defined](https://www.eurogamer.net/hands-on-with-doom-the-dark-ages-reveals-another-reinvention-but-one-that-feels-less-cleanly-defined) PCGamesN: [Doom The Dark Ages nails the essentials, but some of its new ideas fall short](https://www.pcgamesn.com/doom-the-dark-ages/preview) VGC: [Doom: The Dark Ages nails the gameplay, the tone, and the gore](https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/doom-the-dark-ages-nails-the-gameplay-the-tone-and-the-gore/) RockPaperShotgun: [ I threw hands with Doom: The Dark Ages and its rock 'em sock 'em robot ](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-threw-hands-with-doom-the-dark-ages-and-its-rock-em-sock-em-robot)

Insane headline. I would've liked to see what a SOMA show would look like.

They're STILL talking about the engine transition. This game is never coming out, is it?

> [Ubisoft Entertainment SA](https://archive.is/o/nw0qA/https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/UBI:FP) will carve out a unit including *Assassin’s Creed*, *Far Cry* and *Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six*into a subsidiary with an enterprise value of about €4 billion ($4.3 billion). > > [Tencent Holdings Ltd.](https://archive.is/o/nw0qA/https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/700:HK) will invest €1.16 billion to acquire a 25% stake in the new entity, which will have licenses for the intellectual property of the games in exchange for a royalty, the French video game company said in a statement on Thursday. > > Ubisoft, which was founded by France’s Guillemot family, has been working to bring new investors into its video game properties, Bloomberg News has reported. The valuation of the new unit surpasses Ubisoft’s current enterprise value. > > Ubisoft’s US-listed depositary receipts jumped as much as 12.5% on the news.

This was way more confusing than it had to be. TL;DR: You can lend your digital games to friends & family for 14 days, but both consoles need to connect locally to enable this...(?) You can't play digital games you've lent out during this time. I guess the point is making it similar to giving your friend a physical game cartridge.

Looks way more like Prime than the first gameplay trailer. No release date is weird though.