South of Midnight XSX Preview
South of Midnight is shaping up to be one of this year’s most charming, and emotional adventures.
This new Gothic fantasy from Compulsion Games, the makers of We Happy Few, sees players step into the swap sodden shoes of Hazel a young woman living in the small town of Prospero with her mother Lydia. After home (and mum) is swept away during a hurricane, Hazel sets off on a quest to find her.
Drawn into a fairytale world of Americana and southern folklore, our playthrough started during chapter 3 of this whimsical and action platformer just after Hazel has gained the mystical ability to remake the Great Tapestry (see: reality) with a pair of enchanted crotchet needles.
Alone in a land that would make Lewis Carol blush, full of giant peaches and dangerous brambles with thorns big enough to impale an unwary traveler, our collegiate heroin happens across a giant patchwork catfish in need of rescuing after finding himself in the grip of a giant sentient tree.
To set him free Hazel needs to use her weaving skills to unpick several tangles found throughout the flooded shanty town, battling monstrous creatures born from bad feelings and lingering, painful memories known as Haints.
After collecting a bottle off the ol’ bottle tree, Hazel was ready to capture the pain felt by the tree’s owner Rhubarb while double jumping, gliding, and wall-running through the inhospitable, but beautiful environment.
As you traverse the twisted trees, and sinking shacks of the abandoned shanty town. You’ll find Floofs hidden off the beaten path used to upgrade your slowly expanding arsenal of moves while following the spirits of the previous weaver as she helps a family of slaves make their way to freedom.
The platforming is fairly freeform as Hazel can double jump and glide to wherever she wants, later in the Chapter Hazel gains the ability to dash along patchwork quilts and scratched walls hopping from one to the next in some fantastic little set pieces and platforming runs.
Once you get to a tangle, it’s time to throw down with the hideous Haints.
Dark, twisted abominations born of misery, Each enemy type is distinct and well-designed to look as unsettling and demonic as possible. There are uncanny floating beasts with huge claws that slash at you ( often at the most inopportune of moments) insect hives that send exploding bugs to harass you, and strange hunched wretches that spit balls of dark energy at you.
Thankfully, Hazel is far from defenseless and uses an upgradable suite of combos and special powers that let you push, pull, and ensnare the beasts before tearing them apart in one final flourish as they crumble into ash.
It’s a kinetic and satisfying combat system, but you need to stay on your toes and make ample use of the dash button because if you stay in the same place for too long you soon get overwhelmed or just punted in the back of the head out of nowhere.
What blew me away about my brief time with South of Midnight though was the jaw-dropping presentation. The faux stock motion art style lends itself to the game’s Gothic fairytale themes, and, especially during the cutscenes, you’ll wonder whether you’re watching some long-forgotten 80s cartoon special or the latest Henry Selnick
Likewise, the cast, as much as I saw of them in the hour or so of the game I played, is certainly one I want to learn more about. Hazel is relatable and funny, and that ol’ Catfish, with his penchant for tall tales and speaking in Creole, was captivating from his opening monologue to his teaser at the end of the chapter.
Music also seems to play a big part i the game, as it does in the Deep South, with a bluesy but melancholic tone carried by a layered soundtrack that built to a crescendo as I learned more about the tragic Tale of brothers Benny and Rhubarb. It’s been two days since I played the preview build and the chorus of Benny and Rhubabrb is still living rent-free in my head. Then again, when you hire Olivier Deriviere, a superb soundtrack is all but guaranteed.
South of Midnight is scheduled for release on Xbox Series X|S and PC on 8th April. If you ask me it can’t come soon enough Tod sarn it.
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