I am a sucker for short games with good stories. Portal, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Gone Home, and more are excellent palate cleansers between the more bombastic action games. So to say I had high expectations of South of Midnight would be an understatement. This game was developed by Compulsion Games, which is best known for Contrast and We Happy Few. Both these games offer a good story but have their fair share of flaws. Will South of Midnight change things? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Story
The story is where South of Midnight shines. Set in Prospero, a town in the Southern United States, the player takes control of Hazel, a young girl who loses her mother amid a hurricane. As she attempts rescue, she learns that she is a Weaver, someone who can see the tapestry of the universe and whose responsibility it is to tie up any loose thread and untangle any knots. Being a Weaver also grants Hazel several powerful abilities. With these powers, Hazel has to not only find her mother but also help other magical creatures she will come across during her adventures.
The story has an old Southern charm and seems to take inspiration from a number of sources, including Alice in Wonderland. It’s divided into multiple Chapters, and in between, there is a short recap in the form of a storybook. The game has a slight claymation feel (more on that later), which perfectly encapsulates the mood. It’s an excellent example of modern American folklore, and it’s right up there with some of the best stories in that category, if you ask me.
One thing I want to note is that the game is narrated by a giant catfish called… ermm… Catfish, who does a fantastic job. Catfish is voiced by Ahmed Best, who is probably best known as the voice of Jar Jar Binks from the Star Wars prequels. With this, Best is a step closer to atoning for his sins to nerd-kind.
Of course, having a good story is one thing. But how you tell the story is a whole new ball game. Thankfully, South of Midnight does not disappoint. Aside from the exposition and non-playable characters, the game does a fantastic job of using the world to tell stories. Whether it’s billboards, posters, or the odd toy, a lot of the things are there for a reason. This means there will be times when you go, “Ahhh… that’s what it meant.” Not only that, but the game also takes a lot of inspiration from stage plays regarding monologues. This helps add more context to seemingly inconsequential objects.
Well, to be fair. It’s not all great. For a game that is all about tying up loose ends, there are a lot of loose threads left behind at the end of the game. I wish we could have gotten better closure regarding certain characters.
Audio
If you have ever read any of my previous reviews, you would know that I don’t really talk about audio. That’s because I am partially tone deaf, and me judging music would dilute the overall review. Well, the music in South of Midnight is so good that I had to talk about it. The music is just right. From the tone to the style and even the lyrics, it is perfect for the setting. This is especially true for boss battles when the lyrics actually provide better context to the battle while also giving a quick recap of the boss’s tale.
Graphics
Overall, the game looks great, and the colour palette and lighting look great. But that’s not what it’s all about. South of Midnight has a stop-motion animation style that works well with the narrative-heavy aspect of the game. It really does feel like you are watching an old vaudeville-style puppet show. The stop motion style can be removed in the settings, but only for gameplay, and it will stay on during cut scenes. The stop-motion style really does not hinder gameplay at all, and I had it on for the duration of my playthrough.
I can’t help but feel that the developers could have gone all in on the whole puppet-style animation. The opening intro to the game has this excellent wooden-puppet style animation that would have made the game truly memorable. The final product looks more like the animation style used by Telltale Games in titles like The Walking Dead, Wolf Among Us, etc. The developers should have gone all in if you asked me.
Gameplay
The gameplay of South of Midnight is pretty simplistic. For combat, players get two large crochet hooks that they use to attack enemies. Aside from that, they also get a few magical abilities that allow them to push or pull enemies or temporarily incapacitate them. Later in the game, you come across Crouton — Hazel’s stuffed toy that has come to life. Crouton is able to temporarily gain control over enemies. Thereby giving you an ally in combat.
Boss battles are quite memorable, with each looking and playing differently. They put your skills to the test without feeling too difficult or cheap. Some can also be as simple as climbing up a tree. That being said, the final boss battle was quite disappointing.
Combat is limited to certain areas. When you enter such an area, the section is walled off, and the only escape is by defeating all the enemies. The enemy variety is decent, and the combat is fine, although I would have liked a bit more flair. There is a small RPG-style upgrade tree, but it’s pretty simple and basic for a short game like South of Midnight. It’s ok.
Platforming is a lot more nuanced. Players can shimmy across ledges, perform double jumps, and even pull themselves across vast ledges using magic. Crouton can also be used to explore and gain access to small spaces and progress through the game.
Like combat, platforming is also pretty simple. But with a game as short as South of Midnight. It’s not that big a deal.
Verdict
South of Midnight is a fantastic game for those looking for a short title to play over a weekend. It’s got a great story that is told through a combination of exposition, world-building, and music. While combat is a little too simplistic, the story is more than enough to push you all through to the end. The game’s a great introduction to Southern U.S. culture, especially for those whose only reference point is KFC.
Those looking for similar vibes and who are ok with older titles could check out American McGee’s Alice. Meanwhile, those looking to play with someone young might consider Ravenlok (review). If you feel infatuated with the Southern U.S charm, you can also play titles like Left for Dead 2 and Mafia III for more. Or you could just wait till the launch of GTA VI.
Editor’s Rating: 8/10
Pros
- Excellent story
- Great world building
- Fantastic use of music
- Interesting boss battles
Cons
- Average combat
- Disappointing final boss
More info
Developer: Compulsion Games
Publisher: Xbox Game Studio
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
Reviewed on: Xbox Series X
We reviewed a review copy of South of Midnight shared by Microsoft.
