Get Ready for the Unveil: South of Midnight Release & Gameplay Showcase

Experience the Enchanting World of South of Midnight: A Deep Dive into Gameplay and Release Date

Announced at the Xbox Developer Direct 2025, South of Midnight from Compulsion Games promises a captivating action-adventure experience steeped in Deep South folklore. Discover its release date and delve into the unique gameplay mechanics below.

Unraveling the Narrative: Release Date and Story

Zaire Lanier, Compulsion Games' narrative designer, unveiled the game's intriguing storyline and April 8, 2025, release date. Set in the fictional town of Prospero, players will explore diverse Southern-inspired landscapes, from flooded plains to swampy bogs and Appalachian peaks.

The adventure begins with Hazel, our protagonist, witnessing her home destroyed by a devastating hurricane. Her quest to find her missing mother leads her to uncover her own magical heritage, thrusting her into a world teeming with creatures from Southern myths and legends.

A chance encounter with Catfish, a colossal talking creature, reveals Hazel's destiny as a Weaver—a being capable of manipulating the threads that connect all things. However, she must confront Haints, corrupted beings spreading decay, mastering her Weaving abilities to purify them and restore balance to Prospero.

Early access is available on April 3, 2025, with the Premium Edition ($49.99) on Steam and the Xbox Store. The standard edition is priced at $39.99, and Game Pass subscribers can enjoy day-one access.

Mastering the Art of Weaving: Gameplay Mechanics

South of Midnight introduces a unique combat system centered around Weaving, the manipulation of fate's threads. Hazel utilizes a spindle, weaving hooks, and a distaff—tools inspired by traditional textile crafts—to engage in dynamic combat.

Game director Jasmin Roy highlighted the core combat loop: "Push, Pull, and Weave spells provide tactical advantages. Timing is key—pull enemies closer for melee combos, push them back to interrupt attacks, then unleash follow-up strikes."

Weaving isn't limited to combat. Hazel uses her powers to conjure past incarnations of objects, solving puzzles and navigating the environment. The Developer Direct showcased her conjuring a spectral carriage and a glider.

Art director Whitney Clayton revealed that Prospero is divided into distinct regions, each ruled by a mythical creature with its own unique Southern Gothic history. Two-Toed Tom, a massive albino alligator, was showcased as one such formidable guardian.

Hazel must collect Echoes, fragments of haunted memories, to heal these corrupted creatures. However, epic confrontations are unavoidable before she can restore them.

Embark on Hazel's journey through the mystical Deep South, utilizing her Weaving abilities to cleanse the land and reunite with her mother. South of Midnight promises a captivating adventure unlike any other.