Montreal-based Compulsion Games has been hard at work on South of Midnight since being acquired by Microsoft in 2018. This gothic fantasy game is set in the fictional town of Prospero, deep in the American South, and follows Hazel, a high school graduate headed to college who tragically loses her mother during a rainstorm. This event kicks off a dark folktale and introduces one of the most visually and audibly unique experiences in gaming this year.
The gameplay, while not drastically innovative, impresses with its polish in platforming, combat, and exploration. As Compulsion Games' debut title under Microsoft's ownership, South of Midnight showcases why Microsoft's acquisition strategy has paid off, especially with this particular title for Xbox Series X and PC.
Marketed as a mid-tier-budget game with a ten- to twelve-hour runtime, the third chapter of our hands-on preview felt like much more. By this point in the game, Hazel has gained her powers as a "Weaver," a magical mender of broken bonds and spirits. On a journey to rescue her mother and uncover her family's connection to Weavers, she must also battle monstrous creatures known as Haints that have corrupted the land. These evil entities have overrun the area, causing thorns and vines to cover much of the environment. To defeat them and navigate the world, Hazel uses magical crochet hooks, a unique mechanic that aids in both combat and traversal.
Starting in chapter three, the gameplay opens with a small platforming section that allows players to get accustomed to Hazel’s movement. Running, jumping, double jumping, climbing, balancing, dodging with weave extensions, and even wall-running are fluid and responsive, creating a satisfying experience despite not introducing anything radically new to the action-adventure genre.
In this chapter, Hazel's primary mission is to rescue Catfish, a massive bottom feeder, from the clutches of a monstrous tree fused with a human. To achieve this, players must collect spirits trapped in blue glass bottles, unlocking a tragic tale about the origins of the tree creature.
The soundtrack plays a key role in the experience, featuring lyrics that move the story forward in a way that resembles a Greek Chorus. This musical element adds a unique depth to the narrative and enhances the overall atmosphere.
When not engaged in platforming or interacting with characters, Hazel faces off against the Haints using her crochet hooks. The combat is simple but fluid and enjoyable, with the X button for attacks that chain into combos, and the B button for dodging that can also function as a parry if timed correctly.

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