MeinMMO author Johanna was able to experience the story of South of Midnight before its release. The game playfully shows her where to go, but that is not what she wants at all.
I initially didn’t really have South of Midnight on my radar of games I want to play. But when I watched the trailer for the first time, I was instantly smitten.
The stop-motion animation style has a melancholic charm for me, and the voice acting convinced me immediately that this would be a game with lovingly written characters and a gripping story. MeinMMO editor-in-chief Leya was equally taken with the trailer.
All the more thrilled was I when I received a review key from Xbox and could dive into the folklore world early.
In the game, we follow teenager Hazel, who must rescue her mother. She and her house have been washed down the river by a hurricane. Hazel follows the river and gains mysterious abilities through a mysterious spindle that allows her to see the world through different eyes.
She must defend herself and fight against monsters. At her side is a catfish with whom she uncovers the story of the other residents as well as her mother.
The story mainly revolves around Southern folklore. Among these tales, some creepy foes must also be defeated.
With the trailer, you get a first impression of the game:
I have to go over there, but I don’t want to
Simple gameplay makes room for exploration
The gameplay in South of Midnight is relatively simple. You have a series of attacks that can be used against your enemies and a menu to expand your abilities.
Both are not complicated systems that you have to dive deeply into. Puzzles that block your way are also kept simple. If you ever don’t know, you can summon a strand that shows you exactly which direction to go.
This reveals an important aspect for me: Since I’m not busy acquiring knowledge for a complicated weapon or ability system, I have much more capacity and time to calmly explore the world.
This means that I look at the strand to see where I need to go and then go in other directions. That way, I know where I can still discover collectibles and explore the world. It is full of details that are worth marveling at.
These details and collectible notes help to tell side stories. In diary entries, for example, we learn more about the characters and their backgrounds.
Heartwarming story & exciting characters
Hazel completely enchanted me when she proudly declared: “I’m gonna find my momma on my own!” She is a teenager who has her weaknesses but makes up for them with her courage. She is by no means overpowered, but she is tough.
All the other characters grew on me over time, especially the huge talking catfish.
What makes the characters so lovable is not only the way they are written, but also the excellent voice acting. In the original English, you can feel how the characters come to life and gain a soul.
Like a good book
You probably know it: You’re reading an exciting book or watching a great series, and towards the end, when you know you only have a few pages or episodes left, you start to read or watch slower. That’s how I felt with South of Midnight.
Since I knew that the game, with a playtime of 10 to 12 hours, is on the shorter side, I approached the individual chapters slowly and took more time to explore the world.
Because that is the game’s greatest strength: the story. Everything else takes a backseat.
Enemies are intricately designed and have a cool concept, but they don’t pose a real challenge. When I approach a new area, I know exactly when enemies will appear and usually what kind of foes they will be.
I can recommend South of Midnight to everyone who loves heartwarming stories and lovingly written characters and wants to experience a story through the medium of video games. The game won’t challenge you much in terms of gameplay but takes you on the adventure that Hazel experiences.
The gameplay combines fun platforming elements with story-driven exploration and action-packed combat, without any of these aspects feeling out of place. The level design seems well thought out, and I had a lot of fun using Hazel’s different abilities to traverse the levels and explore every nook and cranny.
The individual destinies that you uncover throughout a chapter revolve around themes such as empathy, family, and how far people will go in difficult situations. It can get quite dark at times, and some moments are hard to bear. However, a thread of hope runs throughout, as it is not the player’s task as a “Weaver” to hold anyone accountable but to heal old wounds.
The arena battles that you face during a level are functional but not particularly exciting. For me, they were more of a way to restore my health that I had lost while exploring because I wanted to try reaching this or that point. However, I had much more fun with the boss fights at the end of some chapters, which bring varied mechanics and require quick reflexes.
A special highlight for me was how South of Midnight uses music: the soundtrack starts as a subtle background noise during the larger story chapters, but the further you progress into the level and the story being told, the more prominent the lyrics become. This culminates in a musical and gameplay finale that makes every chapter a special experience.
Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend South of Midnight if you’re looking for an action game with a unique setting and gripping story. However, how much you really get from the game will depend on your playstyle, as those who simply rush through the levels may finish too quickly and be left a bit disappointed. But for those who immerse themselves in the game, take their time to explore and just listen, a thoroughly satisfying experience awaits.
What do you think of South of Midnight? Will you get the game? Let us know in the comments! If you want more preview reports, we can recommend the one by MeinMMO author Caroline Fuller: After 8 hours of gameplay, I can say: With Nightreign, Elden Ring becomes a completely different game.
