Discover the enchanting world of South of Midnight, a new action-adventure game inspired by the rich tapestry of Deep South folktales, unveiled at the Xbox Developer Direct 2025. Dive into the game's narrative and gameplay mechanics as we explore what awaits players on their journey.
Compulsion Games Invites You to South of Midnight
South of Midnight Narrative and Release Date
In an engaging Xbox Wire article, Compulsion Games' writer and narrative designer Zaire Lanier shared fascinating details about the storyline of South of Midnight, along with its eagerly anticipated release date: April 8, 2025. The game transports players to the mystical town of Prospero, a setting inspired by a variety of Southern locales, including flooded countrysides, abysmal swamps, and the Appalachian mountains.
The story trailer introduces us to the protagonist, Hazel, and her mother, preparing for a hurricane. A tense moment leads Hazel to leave their home, only to witness it being swept away by floodwaters. Driven by the need to find her mother, Hazel embarks on a journey that unveils her true heritage, pulling her into a world teeming with creatures from Southern folklore.
Lanier explains, "Hazel begins to see fantastical phenomena all over Prospero, including meeting Catfish, an enormous – and talking – creature in his own right, stuck in a tree following the hurricane’s destruction." Catfish reveals to Hazel that she is a Weaver, endowed with the magical ability to perceive and manipulate the threads that weave the fabric of fate.
As Hazel's journey unfolds, she confronts the Haints, corrupted beings spreading decay across the landscape. Utilizing her newfound Weaving powers, Hazel must cleanse these creatures to restore the world around her.
Embark on Hazel’s adventure in the American Deep South starting April 3, 2025, with the Premium Edition available for $49.99 on Steam or the Xbox Store. The standard version can be purchased for $39.99. Additionally, South of Midnight will be accessible on day one via a Game Pass subscription.
Gameplay Involves Threads and Weaving
South of Midnight innovates with its gameplay mechanics centered around threads and the mystical art of Weaving. Hazel's combat abilities evolve as she encounters different Haints, unlocking various spells and techniques.
During the Xbox Developer Direct 2025, game director Jasmin Roy outlined the game's core combat system, stating, "Push, Pull, and Weave are some of the spells at your disposal that give you a tactical advantage during a fight. Timing is everything. Pull distant enemies close to start melee combos, push them back to interrupt and stun their attack, then press the advantage with follow-up strikes."
Hazel's arsenal includes a spindle, two weaving hooks, and a distaff, all inspired by traditional textile crafting. These tools enable a diverse set of moves and abilities to combat the Haints and cleanse their corruption.
Beyond combat, Weaving plays a crucial role in exploration. Hazel uses her magical powers to weave threads and conjure "past incarnations of objects," aiding in puzzle-solving and navigating the game's environment. Examples shown in the Direct include conjuring a ghost-like carriage and a glider.
Hazel's quest to rescue her mother takes her through diverse locations, each with a distinct theme and atmosphere. Art director Whitney Clayton highlighted that each region is governed by a "mythical creature with its own Southern Gothic history." One such creature, Two-Toed Tom, a massive albino alligator adorned with weapons and vegetation, was showcased during the event.
To heal these corrupted beings, Hazel must collect Echoes, fragments of haunted memories. These encounters culminate in epic confrontations where Hazel must subdue and ultimately heal the creatures using her Weaving abilities.
With a myriad of areas to explore and mythical beings to cleanse, Hazel's journey in South of Midnight promises a blend of deep narrative and innovative gameplay, all set against the backdrop of the enchanting Deep South.
