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What is South of Midnight about?
South of Midnight is a third-person action-adventure about Hazel, whose journey begins after a hurricane devastates the fictional town of Prospero. She sets out to rescue her mother, confront her family’s history, and protect her home. The game frames that story as a modern folktale rooted in the American Deep South.
Hazel uses a magical ability called Weaving in combat, traversal, and puzzles. The power is also central to the story’s themes: her journey involves confronting and repairing the threads of family history. Compulsion says the game reimagines folklore figures and creatures including Two-Toed Tom, Huggin’ Molly, the Rougarou, Altamaha-ha, and the Honey Island Swamp Monster. Compulsion Games’ official game page describes the premise and its folklore inspirations.
Who made it, and what does “Montreal-made” mean?
Compulsion Games is based in Montreal. “Montreal-made” refers to the developer’s home base; it should not be confused with the setting, which is the American Deep South. The studio’s location is confirmed on its official site. That fact alone does not establish that every part of production took place in Montreal.
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![South of Midnight: Premium Edition - Xbox Series X|S [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lVJzCyLYL._SL160_.jpg)
- Immerse yourself in the macabre world of South of Midnight with the Premium Edition, featuring the full game and digital access (English only) to the Artbook, Music Video: Songs&Tales, and Documentary: Weaving Hazel’s Journey – Director’s Cut."
- From the creators of Contrast and We Happy Few, South of Midnight is a spellbinding third-person action-adventure game set in the American Deep South.
- As Hazel, you will explore the mythos and encounter creatures of Southern folklore in a macabre and fantastical world.
- When a hurricane rips through Prospero, Hazel is pulled into a Southern Gothic world of memory-made-real and must embark on a journey to rescue her mother and safeguard her hometown.
- Wield an ancient power to restore creatures and uncover the traumas that consume them.
The game’s visual approach helps distinguish it from a conventional action-adventure. Compulsion says its characters and environments draw on traditional stop-motion puppets and animation, giving them a handmade, maquette-like appearance. Chapter-by-chapter storybook framing and a dynamic narrator reinforce the folktale structure. Together, these choices make presentation part of how the story is told, rather than just a backdrop for combat.
How does the music shape the experience?
Composer Olivier Deriviere created a score that develops alongside play, drawing on Southern musical genres and performers. Xbox Wire’s interview with Deriviere and audio director Chris Fox describes musical elements building through levels and becoming fuller performances around encounters. Deriviere put the idea simply: “This game is singing with the player.” Read the Xbox Wire music interview for more on the score and its relationship to gameplay.
Rank #2
![South of Midnight: Standard Edition - Xbox Series X|S [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ymOISMCrL._SL160_.jpg)
- From the creators of Contrast and We Happy Few, South of Midnight is a spellbinding third-person action-adventure game set in the American Deep South.
- As Hazel, you will explore the mythos and encounter creatures of Southern folklore in a macabre and fantastical world.
- When a hurricane rips through Prospero, Hazel is pulled into a Southern Gothic world of memory-made-real and must embark on a journey to rescue her mother and safeguard her hometown.
- Wield an ancient power to restore creatures and uncover the traumas that consume them.
- Discover the lush, decayed county of Prospero and its locals. Experience a crafted visual style, touching storytelling, and immersive music inspired by the complex and rich history of the South.
How long is South of Midnight?
Compulsion estimates a 10–12-hour playthrough. That is the studio’s intended duration, not a guarantee: time can vary with pace, exploration, and how much optional content a player pursues. The estimate appears on the official game page.
Is South of Midnight on PS5, Xbox, PC, or Game Pass?
The game launched on April 8, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Steam, with cloud play and day-one availability in Game Pass. PlayStation Canada lists its PS5 release as March 31, 2026. It is therefore not accurate to describe it as Xbox-exclusive. The original launch platforms and Game Pass details are in Xbox Wire’s launch announcement; the PS5 date is listed on PlayStation Canada’s game page. Subscription catalogs, prices, and editions can change, so check the relevant storefront for current availability. Compulsion also says the PC version is Steam Deck Verified on its official game page.
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Rank #3
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What awards has it won?
South of Midnight won the 2025 Games for Impact award at The Game Awards and the 2025 Interactive Peabody Award. The Games for Impact winner list records the first; the Peabody profile names it the Interactive winner and discusses its Southern Gothic and Afro-Southern folklore influences, cultural memory, and storytelling craft.
Those awards are meaningful recognition, not proof of a measurable Xbox ranking. The case for calling the game promising rests on its specific creative strengths: its folkloric setting, visual identity, music-led design, and story of a Black woman’s healing journey. They make it a distinctive project from an Xbox-owned studio, without requiring a claim that it is objectively better than other narrative adventures.
Rank #4
- 16 family favorite arcade like mini-games including Darts, Hoop Shoot, Rootbeer Tapper, Table Hockey and more
- Utilizes the Microsoft Kinect sensor (sold separately and required for play) which uses the natural movements of your body as the controller
- Import your Xbox LIVE avatar for use in-game to represent you
- Multiplayer support including up to 16 players in Tournament Mode locally and online head-to-head play for 2 to 4 players
- Publish Xbox Achievements on your Facebook Wall and automatically notify Facebook friends when you are playing online so they can join the party
Is there a South of Midnight vinyl or art book?
Xbox Wire announced The Art & Music of South of Midnight, a collector box set developed with Dutch design house and publisher Cook and Becker. The announced contents include a two-LP soundtrack, a 160-page art book, a comic by Rob Guillory, artwork on metal, and an alligator-and-airboat magnet. The set does not include the game. Xbox Wire originally described it as available for preorder through Cook and Becker; that announcement does not establish current stock, shipping availability, or regional availability. See the box set announcement for the original product details.
Digital Premium extras are separate from the physical set: Compulsion lists a digital artbook, original soundtrack, Boo-Hag digital comic, music video, and documentary director’s cut. Check the official game page and current storefront listing for edition details.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
