Discover the enchanting world of South of Midnight, unveiled at the Xbox Developer Direct 2025. This action-adventure game, inspired by the rich tapestry of Deep South folktales, promises a unique blend of narrative and gameplay. Dive in to learn more!

Compulsion Games Invites You to South of Midnight

South of Midnight Narrative and Release Date

Compulsion Games' narrative designer, Zaire Lanier, shared an exciting glimpse into South of Midnight via an Xbox Wire article, confirming its release on April 8, 2025. Set in the mystical town of Prospero, the game weaves together a variety of Southern-inspired settings, from flooded countrysides to abysmal swamps and Appalachian mountains.

The game's story kicks off with protagonist Hazel and her mother preparing for a hurricane. Amidst a heated argument, Hazel storms out, only to witness her home swept away by a devastating flood. Driven by the need to find her missing mother, Hazel uncovers her true heritage and steps into a fantastical realm filled with creatures straight out of Southern folklore.

As Lanier explains, "Hazel begins to witness fantastical phenomena across Prospero, including her encounter with Catfish, a massive talking creature trapped in a tree after the hurricane." Catfish reveals to Hazel that she is a Weaver, endowed with magical abilities to perceive and manipulate the threads that weave the fabric of fate.

Hazel's journey involves mastering her Weaving powers to combat the Haints—corrupted creatures that spread decay. By freeing them from corruption, she aims to restore the world to its true form.

Embark on Hazel's adventure in the American Deep South starting April 3, 2025, with the Premium Edition, available for $49.99 on Steam and the Xbox Store. The standard edition is priced at $39.99, and players can also access the game on day one with a Game Pass subscription.

Gameplay Involves Threads and Weaving

South of Midnight introduces an innovative gameplay mechanic centered around threads and Weaving. These threads represent the interconnectedness of fate, and Weaving is a magical art that Hazel must master to navigate the game's challenges.

Game director Jasmin Roy elaborated on the combat system during the Xbox Developer Direct 2025. "Hazel can use spells like Push, Pull, and Weave to gain a tactical edge in battles. Timing these abilities correctly allows her to pull enemies in for melee combos, push them away to interrupt their attacks, and then strike with precision."

Hazel's arsenal includes a spindle, two weaving hooks, and a distaff, inspired by textile crafting and traditional spinning wheels. This unique set of tools provides diverse combat moves and abilities to cleanse the Haints of their corruption.

Weaving also plays a crucial role in exploration. Hazel uses her powers to manipulate threads, conjuring past versions of objects to solve puzzles and navigate the game world. Examples shown include summoning a ghostly carriage and a glider for traversal.

As Hazel ventures through various themed environments, each ruled by a mythical creature with a distinct Southern Gothic backstory, art director Whitney Clayton introduced Two-Toed Tom, a colossal albino alligator adorned with weapons and overgrown vegetation.

To heal these corrupted mythical beings, Hazel collects Echoes—fragments of haunted memories. These confrontations culminate in epic battles where Hazel must subdue and then heal the creatures using her Weaving abilities.

With a world full of regions to explore and mythical creatures to save, Hazel's journey to find her mother is a testament to the power of Weaving and the enduring spirit of the Deep South.