Southern Gothic is an intriguing subject, one that might not be instantly clear to many people. Coming from the South myself, I find this genre captivating and has sparked my curiosity even more about South of Midnight, a narrative adventure created by Compulsion Games and Xbox Game Studios. This game seamlessly blends elements of spine-tingling folklore into a contemporary fairy tale.
Southern Gothic can be hard to grasp at first, but I find it fascinating as a Southerner. South of Midnight, a game by Compulsion Games and Xbox Game Studios, is a narrative adventure filled with eerie folklore elements, like a modern-day fairy tale.
An unexpected pairing is seen with a Canadian studio delving into the Deep South’s narrative. Recently, I got a firsthand experience at an event, playing through one of the early chapters of South of Midnight and chatting with the team behind this distinctly unusual game adventure.
Crafting a rich Southern world
What makes a Canadian studio eager to share a tale from the South? As stated by art director Whitney Clayton, multiple team members have connections to the Southern U.S., with some having resided there before or having relatives in the region. During the game’s development, several Compulsion Games staff members embarked on research trips throughout Southern states, delving into and collecting as much detail as possible.
Clayton remarks, “It was packed with cultural depth, and from a visual perspective, it was stunningly rich and beautiful. What struck me most was the way nature had taken over everything – something we’d discuss, but only truly understanding its extent when you witness the rampant kudzu growth.
During their visit, Compulsion Games took a tour of a nearby stop-motion studio called Clyde-Henry Productions. They closely observed and analyzed the movement capabilities of the figurines there, aiming to adapt that unique style into various aspects of their game, South of Midnight. The entire game is meticulously crafted to give an appearance as if it were made by hand.
Near the conclusion of the game’s production, the studio later enlisted Clyde-Henry and their company to produce a stop-motion video as an introduction for South of Midnight. To fashion figurines suitable for the game, Clyde-Henry needed to familiarize themselves with the assets, thereby forming a developmental loop that completed the circle for South of Midnight.
Exploring the eerie and the familiar
In the third act of South of Midnight, my journey commenced with Hazel, seeking her missing mother, lost amidst the devastating floodwaters. Her visions hinted at her enigmatic powers and a mysterious past, though she was yet to grasp their true nature. Upon encountering an extraordinary talking Catfish ensnared by a gigantic tree, I found myself identified as a Weaver and offered aid in exchange for my assistance in freeing him.
As an analyst, I find myself confidently managing the controls in this game, swiftly activating skills such as a double jump and glide, enabling me to effortlessly navigate the flooded town and its adjoining bayou with agility. The platforming aspect seems quite fundamental at this stage, but I’ve been informed that it will significantly intensify as the game advances. There are hidden treasures around every bend, including bonus upgrade materials affectionately dubbed Floofs by the game’s protagonist, Hazel. Game director Jasmin Roy emphasizes that each skill enhancement in Hazel’s skill tree is designed to provide a sense of impactful decision-making, but those who meticulously explore will be able to fully maximize the skill tree near the end of the game.
Engaging in battles, particularly south of midnight, reveals South of Midnight’s formidable side. The encounters are unexpectedly tough as I navigate past the malevolent “Haints,” creatures that are tainting the surroundings. Precise timing for last-minute evasions and strategic deployment of magic play crucial roles in managing these confrontations, as they involve unwinding the Haints. However, the game offers various accessibility options and adjustable difficulty levels if you find the initial experience overwhelming. Notably, most of Hazel’s magical abilities revolve around weaving and threads, a concept that developer Clayton found intriguing because it aims to reclaim the historically feminine association with weaving and transform it into something potent.
Dark words and ill deeds
Experiencing the Xbox Series X game titled South of Midnight, the graphics and audio align perfectly, capturing eerie images of decaying buildings sinking into swamps. Drawing inspiration from “floating houses in South Carolina,” Clayton emphasizes this visual theme significantly. During exploration outside of combat, a continuous cacophony of frogs and insects fills the environment’s background.
Animals are found everywhere within the game, according to Clayton, enhancing its storybook-like qualities as these animals seem to be observing Hazel, understanding that she holds a significant role in the evolving narrative. Additionally, Hazel can venture into animal burrows alongside Crouton, a charming magical figurine that’s able to maneuver through narrow passages which are too tiny for human beings to navigate.
Fundamentally, this story’s heart lies within its narrative, and it is here where South of Midnight truly embraces its darker influences. Clayton refers to movies such as The Night of the Hunter in setting the desired tone, exploring a plot teeming with complex characters that are not only larger than life but also richly endowed with personality.
As Hazel endeavors to liberate the cheerful Catfish, she gradually exposes signs of distressing events that transpired years ago within the swamp. These actions seemed to have far-reaching consequences, causing immense suffering. Although I won’t reveal the ending, South of Midnight delves into ominous realms reminiscent of a somber tragedy or a chilling twist fitting for Boris Karloff’s Thriller.
A murky story to be told
In my childhood years spent in South Carolina, ghost tales were a common part of life. One story that fascinated me was the legend of the Gray Man, which I heard as a child while dreaming about possibly catching a glimpse of him on trips to Pawleys Island. There are also other spectral beings that linger in the neglected gravesites and abandoned mansions – entities whose identities might remain unknown, but their presence can be felt nonetheless. Sometimes, even adults seem hesitant to discuss them when you bring up the topic, but they’re always there, lingering in the shadows.
The animation style reminiscent of stop-motion and the ominous hum of the swamp makes South of Midnight stand out as a visually striking game I haven’t encountered in a while, resonating with me in an unexpectedly personal way. Although I have some unanswered questions, my curiosity has only grown, making me more excited to play the complete version. If the rest of the game maintains its sense of escalation and the unique blend of eerie macabre and humor, South of Midnight could be one of the top games this year. I can’t wait for April to arrive so I can delve deeper into this captivating experience.
The game titled “South of Midnight” is scheduled to debut on April 8, 2025 across various platforms including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Windows PC. Similar to other Xbox first-party games, it will be available for play on the first day itself in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, both on console and PC. By preordering the Premium Edition, you’ll gain early access starting from April 5.
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2025-02-11 19:39