South of Midnight: Release Date and Gameplay Revealed at Xbox Developer Direct 2025

Dive into the enchanting world of South of Midnight, a new action-adventure game inspired by the rich tapestry of Deep South folktales. Compulsion Games unveiled exciting details about this eagerly awaited title during the Xbox Developer Direct 2025.

Compulsion Games Invites You to South of Midnight

South of Midnight Narrative and Release Date

In an insightful Xbox Wire article, Compulsion Games' writer and narrative designer, Zaire Lanier, shared an in-depth look at South of Midnight's captivating storyline. Mark your calendars for the game's release on April 8, 2025. The game unfolds in the fictional town of Prospero, a blend of Southern-inspired locales ranging from flooded countrysides to abysmal swamps and the Appalachian mountains.

The narrative kicks off with protagonist Hazel and her mother preparing for an approaching hurricane. Amidst a heated argument, Hazel storms out, only to witness their home swept away by a devastating flood. Driven by the need to find her lost mother, Hazel embarks on a quest that leads her into a magical realm filled with creatures straight out of Southern folklore.

Lanier describes Hazel's encounter with Catfish, a giant talking creature stranded in a tree after the hurricane. This meeting reveals to Hazel her true identity as a Weaver, a being with the power to manipulate the threads of fate. As Hazel navigates this fantastical world, she must confront the Haints, corrupted beings spreading decay, using her Weaving powers to restore them and heal the environment.

Embark on Hazel's journey through the American Deep South as early as April 3, 2025, with the Premium Edition priced at $49.99 on Steam and the Xbox Store. The base game is available for $39.99, and you can play it on day one with a Game Pass subscription.

Gameplay Involves Threads and Weaving

South of Midnight introduces players to the innovative mechanics of threads and Weaving. These elements form the core of the game's combat and exploration systems. As Hazel, you'll unlock spells and abilities to combat various types of Haints, the game's enemies.

Game director Jasmin Roy highlighted the combat loop during the Xbox Developer_Direct 2025, emphasizing the use of spells like "Push, Pull, and Weave" for tactical advantages. Timing is crucial; you can pull distant enemies closer to initiate melee combos, push them away to interrupt and stun their attacks, and then capitalize with follow-up strikes.

Hazel's arsenal includes a spindle, weaving hooks, and a distaff, inspired by traditional textile crafting and spinning wheels. These tools enable a variety of movesets and abilities, essential for purging the Haints of their corruption.

Beyond combat, Weaving plays a pivotal role in exploration. Hazel can manipulate threads to conjure past incarnations of objects, facilitating puzzle-solving and navigation. Examples from the Direct include summoning a ghostly carriage and a glider.

As Hazel journeys across diverse regions, each ruled by a mythical creature rooted in Southern Gothic lore, she'll encounter unique environments and challenges. Art director Whitney Clayton introduced one such creature, Two-Toed Tom, a colossal albino alligator adorned with weapons and vegetation.

To heal these corrupted creatures, Hazel must collect Echoes, fragments of haunted memories. This leads to epic confrontations where she must first subdue and then heal these mythical beings using her Weaving abilities.

With a blend of exploration, combat, and a deeply woven narrative, South of Midnight promises an immersive experience as Hazel uses her powers to navigate the enchanting yet dangerous world of Prospero, ultimately aiming to reunite with her mother.