Let us now begin. Everybody is talking about South of Midnight, the newest release from Compulsion Games. The title is out for Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, Cloud, and, of course, Game Pass. This means anyone with a subscription can just hop aboard for no extra fees.
The devs’ tweet reads, “Journey into Midnight and unravel the past.” Still hot? Kind of. Definitely interesting, and that hashtag #SouthofMidnight is trending, eerily with no replies so far. Maybe they are still busy downloading?
South of Midnight is quite atmospheric and rich in story, set in a universe where the past is not just a history to be forgotten but rather a territory to be tunneled into. Southern Gothic vibes underlined with supernatural mystery fit right in there. When everything in the game seems to suggest secrets hidden in shadows, and the backstories of its characters are darker than midnight?
This is a great deal on Game Pass. Microsoft has really been padding that service, and this is just another addition. No surprises there given that Compulsion Games is an arm of Xbox Game Studios. But the Steam boys won’t be left behind, so whichever way PC gamers prefer, grab it that way.
The weird thing is, the replies have been rather quiet. After drops, comments are normally flooded with “OMG FINALLY!!” or “Why isn’t this on PlayStation??” (RIP, Sony fans.) But none. Maybe the trailer talked louder than a thunderstorm; that cinematic tease was moody as heck, all flickering lanterns and whispered secrets.
So what is the gameplay about? Early folklore says exploration is heavily weighted, combat little if any, and choices ultimately significant. You play as one Hazel: A woman arriving home to find the place festooned with supernatural shenanigans. I mean weirdness; the kind of weirdness where “ghosts from your past may treat you to an underground entrance.”
No multiplayer, no microtransactions (thank God), just hardcore single-player action. It’s easy to salute a game like this in an age where everything wants to be a live-service grindfest.
Still, if you fancy a slow burn with an atmospheric tale then this might tickle your fancy. But even if boredom is setting in, give it a shot on Game Pass. Worst comes to worst: bail ten minutes in and go back to Call of Duty. But something tells us that South of Midnight will not let you do that so easily.
If you’ll excuse us, we have some supernatural dates to keep. Y’all stay spooky now.
