South of Midnight Release Date and Gameplay Overview Revealed at Xbox Developer Direct 2025
Dive into the enchanting world of South of Midnight, a new action-adventure game inspired by the rich tapestry of Deep South folktales, brought to you by Compulsion Games.
Compulsion Games Invites You to South of Midnight
South of Midnight Narrative and Release Date
In an exciting reveal, Compulsion Games' writer and narrative designer, Zaire Lanier, shared insights into the narrative of South of Midnight via an Xbox Wire article, along with announcing the game's release date: April 8, 2025. Set in the fictional town of Prospero, the game weaves together a variety of Southern-inspired settings, ranging from flooded countrysides to abysmal swamps and Appalachian mountains.
The story kicks off with protagonist Hazel and her mother preparing for a hurricane. After a heated argument, Hazel storms out, only to witness their home being swept away by a devastating flood. Driven by the need to find her missing mother, Hazel embarks on a journey that unveils her true heritage, leading her into a realm filled with creatures straight out of Southern folklore.
Lanier elaborated on Hazel's encounter with Catfish, an enormous talking creature trapped in a tree after the hurricane. This meeting reveals to Hazel that she is a Weaver, endowed with magical abilities to perceive and manipulate the threads that weave the fabric of destiny. As Hazel navigates this mystical world, she faces Haints—corrupted beings that spread decay. Her mission is to master her Weaving powers to cleanse these creatures and restore the land to its natural state.
You can embark on Hazel’s journey through the American Deep South as early as April 3, 2025, by purchasing the Premium Edition for $49.99 on Steam or the Xbox Store. The standard edition will be available for $39.99, and the game will also be accessible on day one with a Game Pass subscription.
Gameplay Involves Threads and Weaving
South of Midnight introduces players to the concept of threads, which symbolize the interconnectedness of fate, and the magical art of Weaving. As Hazel progresses, she unlocks various spells and abilities to combat different types of Haints.
During the Xbox Developer_Direct 2025, game director Jasmin Roy detailed the game's core combat mechanics. "Push, Pull, and Weave are key spells that provide tactical advantages in battle. Timing is crucial; you can pull distant enemies closer to initiate melee combos, push them away to interrupt and stun their attacks, and then capitalize with follow-up strikes."
Hazel's arsenal includes a spindle, two weaving hooks, and a distaff, inspired by traditional textile crafting and spinning wheels. These tools allow for diverse combat strategies and movesets, enabling Hazel to cleanse the Haints of their corruption.
Weaving also plays a crucial role in exploration. Hazel uses her magical abilities to manipulate threads, conjuring past incarnations of objects to aid in puzzle-solving and navigation. Examples shown in the Direct include summoning a ghostly carriage and a glider.
Hazel's quest to rescue her mother takes her through various themed regions, each governed by a mythical creature with its own Southern Gothic backstory. Art director Whitney Clayton highlighted one such creature, Two-Toed Tom, a massive albino alligator adorned with weapons and overgrown vegetation.
To heal these corrupted beings, Hazel must collect Echoes—fragments of haunted memories. These encounters often lead to epic confrontations, where Hazel must subdue the creatures before using her Weaving powers to restore them.
With a vast world to explore and numerous mythical creatures to heal, Hazel's journey in South of Midnight promises a deep and engaging experience as she seeks to reunite with her mother and unravel the mysteries of her heritage.
