South of Midnight Release Date & Gameplay Deep Dive Revealed at Xbox Developer Direct 2025
Discover the hauntingly beautiful world of South of Midnight, a narrative-driven action-adventure game steeped in the rich folklore of the American Deep South.
Step Into the World of South of Midnight by Compulsion Games
At the Xbox Developer Direct 2025, Compulsion Games unveiled key details about South of Midnight, including its official release date: April 8, 2025. In a companion Xbox Wire article, writer and narrative designer Zaire Lanier peeled back the layers of the game’s Southern Gothic-inspired world, rooted in the fictional town of Prospero. The environment blends a range of atmospheric Deep South locales—from storm-ravaged countrysides and misty swamps to the shadowed ridges of the Appalachian Mountains.
The story begins in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane. Players take on the role of Hazel, who, after a heated argument with her mother, leaves home—only to witness her house swept away by floodwaters. This traumatic event sets Hazel on a journey to find her missing mother, one that leads her beyond the veil of reality and into a supernatural realm shaped by Southern folklore.
It’s here that Hazel encounters Catfish, a massive, talking creature trapped in a tree. Catfish reveals a profound truth: Hazel is a Weaver, a being with the power to see and manipulate the invisible threads that bind fate. This ability becomes central to her quest, as she navigates a world where myth and reality intertwine.
The game’s antagonists, known as Haints, are corrupted spirits that spread decay and distort the world around them. To restore balance, Hazel must use her Weaving powers to cleanse these creatures and return the land to its true state.
Players can begin their journey early with the Premium Edition, available for $49.99 on Steam and the Xbox Store, granting access to the game starting April 3, 2025. The standard edition is priced at $39.99. Additionally, South of Midnight will be available on Game Pass from day one, offering subscribers instant access to the full game.
Master the Art of Weaving in Combat and Exploration
At the heart of South of Midnight is the innovative Weaving mechanic, a magical system that ties into both combat and exploration. Game director Jasmin Roy detailed the core combat loop during the Developer Direct, emphasizing timing and tactical precision.
Players will wield spells like Push, Pull, and Weave to control the battlefield. Pull distant enemies into melee range to chain combos, push them back to interrupt attacks, and exploit openings with devastating follow-ups. Each move is an extension of Hazel’s connection to the threads of fate.
Her arsenal is inspired by traditional textile tools: a spindle, weaving hooks, and a distaff—reimagined as dynamic weapons. These tools unlock unique combat styles and abilities, allowing players to adapt their approach to different types of Haints.
Weaving also unlocks new paths and puzzle solutions. By manipulating threads, Hazel can summon echoes of the past, such as a ghostly carriage or a spectral glider, enabling traversal through otherwise impassable terrain. This blend of magic and memory turns exploration into a deeply immersive experience.
As Hazel travels through diverse, myth-rich regions, each ruled by a legendary creature with its own tragic backstory, she must confront and ultimately heal them. One such creature revealed during the showcase is Two-Toed Tom, a colossal albino alligator bristling with weapons and overgrown vegetation—a terrifying embodiment of Southern legend.
To restore these beings, Hazel must collect Echoes, fragments of haunted memory, and face each in an epic boss battle before lifting the corruption that binds them.
With its emotionally charged narrative, richly imagined world, and deeply symbolic mechanics, South of Midnight promises a one-of-a-kind adventure. Harness the power of Weaving, uncover the truth of your lineage, and brave a land where folklore lives—and fights—back.
