South of Midnight

Usually I insert a few jokes as my starter sentence but this game isn't the type that I would do stuff like that because it's not a game for me to crack jokes around. So anywho apologies if I sound a bit more serious than usual.😬

I must say this game is beyond stunning however the story is definitely not pretty...a lot of it...feels raw painful...and miserable. And these were definitely certain elements that we can say are hard to witness in today's society. Stuff like stuff to do with race, poverty, death, slavery etc, which makes this game feel raw and I love when games make me feel emotional. Such painful history has developed the South into becoming a rich folktale full of Heroes and Monsters.

I feel like this game did a good job at fleshing out the story and the characters. How the mother is so kind that she wants to help children in need, which would cause arguments between her and Hazel. Hazel discovers she is special and very much decides to help people in need. As I said the lore is so powerful, the need to free people from slavery is something that is rarely ever done in gaming. Which I can understand why it isn't really a topic that people want to talk about. But doesn't hold this game back at all.

Outside the lore what truly holds this game back is the combat system because it can get repetitive as you are in a specific locked up area and you just gotta clean house everything that pops up to jump you. It happens a lot and it just....feels the same which kinda bummed me. We have played games like this before so that Alone is not gonna provide you with anything "fresh". It's not the best, but it's not the worst...it's just basic and stagnant. Hazel's powers are not fun to use on numerous fights...but they're fun to use on puzzles...which there aren't many....or platforming.

Now it's up to your gaming style about how you'd feel on that. If you're into combat this game won't be for you, it is mostly just story driven. That's its strongest factor. The world is gorgeously designed. The stop motion for the characters and critters are beautiful, it all feels like someone has painted a painting. There's so much attention to detail that you can even see animals in the background, as if they were hidden easter eggs. Although there is beautiful scenery there is also ugly scenery. Like places that are flooded and the water looking more like doodoo than water, there are also slave quarters which can make you feel uneasy to look at.

Another thing that they gave attention to detail with were the surroundings of the atmosphere around you. Places that feel sunny can give you sensations that can make you imagine just how hot the place might be. Some inspiration was taken place from snow white when she was running through the dark forests. Because the Spooky swamps in this game can make you feel very claustrophobic, due to limited vision from the forests being so dark. Another strong aspect about this game is the soundtrack itself. It's excellently composed. And each song has something to do with what you're dealing with or with who you're dealing with. It will make you sing along even post game.

This can be a hit or miss game if combat is something you like to prioritise, however if you look past that you'll see how wholesome this game will truly feel. Sometimes it even feels like a warm comforting hug.

A DARK FOLKTALE

South of midnight is like a love letter to life itself.
It truly shines in the artistic department. Every instrumental and vocal song of this game exudes such a rich Southern flair to it, that I can't but help and stop sometimes, just to listen to the music, seriously even if this game doesn't seem like its for you, at least check out the soundtrack.
There was not a moment where I was walking straight,either flowing with jump or dodge, running around in circles like a little girl with the music and that's the best part of it that makes you stick around until the end.

Story is simple yet its fantastically done.
You play as Hazel, a young weaver on a quest to find her mom after a hurricane decides to redecorate her hometown. Along the way, you'll tussle with creatures straight out of a Southern Gothic nightmare and untangle family secrets that are juicier than a summer barbecue.
Imagine tim burton making a movie on alice in wonderland mixed with spiderverse with its claymation effects and stop motion artstyle.
Visually this game is stunning looking.
If you liked Kena-bridge of spirits you might like this one.

Now the combat can be boring,its repetitive with only few enemy designs it has to offer,you might do the same thing over and over again but the boss fights are outstanding.
It has interesting mechanics like push and pull objects but also applied to enemies.
Abilities like weave and strand pull once upgraded,it works like a charm.
It works great with music as I said it above,this is what it is all about.
Think of it like a soulslike but in a baby form.
Very easy to beat,easy to navigate and runs really good,I don't like motion blur in general but this game is treat in visual and art design.

Played on game pass and you might better play this asap because you never know what microsoft could do,they don't give details when it's gonna be removed.
Or you could buy it for yourself if you love your mom.

Hazel jumps like a frog but also like a rabbit and I love it,bless her xD

Beautiful, heart breaking, haunting, and fun. South of Midnight explores deep themes of loss, grief, power, and hope during a captivating tale set in an immensely creative and riveting fantasy world. Incredible music and sound design. My one request: Hazel is a track star, make the chase scenes feel faster and more intense.

A marvelous game that oozes charm, South of Midnight was both fun and compelling to play. I enjoyed the art direction, dialogue, narrative, music, combat, and level design a lot. I'm very impressed with this one. Every bit something you should pick up if you love /adventure games.

Nice atmospheric game that stands out for its strong sense of place and character. It captures the spirit of the American South with a haunting, soulful tone that explores themes like poverty, slavery, and the lingering weight of the past. The world feels alive and meaningful, full of stories waiting to be uncovered. Music is used thoughtfully throughout, adding emotional weight and rhythm to key moments. It’s a game that doesn’t just entertain - it resonates.

First and foremost, this is a beautiful game. Every where you look in game and every cutscene looks like it could be a great looking desktop background. The southern folklore is a joy to play through. It feels like I've stepped into The Adventures of Brer Rabbit.

Now it has some bad as well. Although the writing is overall good and well acted, the main character Hazel is the weakest of the performances and writing by a long shot. She also has a lot of lines where no one is around, and it comes off as just talking to the player. I would have just liked silent parts to stay silent, with the awesome soundtrack this game has.

It is also very hand holdy. Giving you tips every step of the way, not challenging you to figure things out on your own. Lastly, the fights all take place in these circular arena areas that are all very samey. The creature designs, although very cool, are all colored with these dark reds and blacks that make them barely stand out from one another. The whole combat system comes out as very repetitive.

I'd say if you can appreciate the gorgeous art and music, and look past the main characters' performance the repetitive fights. You have an action platformer that lets you live through some great southern folklore, and that is a very special experience.