South of Midnight Release Date & Gameplay Deep Dive at Xbox Developer Direct 2025

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

Dive into a captivating action-adventure game inspired by Deep South folktales! Learn more about South of Midnight below.

Compulsion Games Presents: South of Midnight

South of Midnight's Story and Release Date

Compulsion Games' narrative designer, Zaire Lanier, recently revealed details about South of Midnight's compelling storyline and release date via an Xbox Wire article. Launching April 8th, 2025, the game transports players to the enigmatic town of Prospero, a captivating blend of Southern-inspired locales—from flooded lowlands and murky swamps to the majestic Appalachian mountains.

The story begins amidst a hurricane's fury, with protagonist Hazel and her mother preparing for the storm. A disagreement leads Hazel to leave home, only to witness its destruction by the raging flood. Her desperate search for her missing mother unveils a hidden truth—Hazel's true heritage—and thrusts her into a fantastical world teeming with creatures from Southern folklore.

Lanier explains, "Hazel encounters fantastical phenomena throughout Prospero, including Catfish—a colossal, talking creature trapped in a tree after the hurricane. Catfish reveals Hazel's identity as a Weaver, possessing magical abilities to perceive and manipulate the threads connecting all fates."

This revelation empowers Hazel to see and weave the universe's interconnected threads. However, danger lurks in the form of Haints—corrupted creatures spreading decay. Hazel must master her Weaving powers to purify them and restore balance to Prospero.

Embark on Hazel's journey through the American Deep South early—April 3rd, 2025—with the Premium Edition ($49.99 on Steam and Xbox Store). The standard edition is available for $39.99, and Game Pass subscribers can play on launch day.

Gameplay: Threads, Weaving, and Combat

South of Midnight introduces a unique gameplay mechanic centered around threads—the very essence of fate—and the magical art of Weaving. Combat involves strategic spellcasting and tactical maneuvers.

Game director Jasmin Roy, during the Xbox Developer Direct 2025, highlighted the core combat loop: "Players utilize spells like Push, Pull, and Weave for tactical advantages. Timing is crucial. Pull enemies closer for melee combos, push them back to interrupt attacks, then capitalize with follow-up strikes."

Hazel's arsenal includes a spindle, weaving hooks, and a distaff, inspired by traditional textile crafting. These tools offer diverse combat options and abilities, enabling players to purify Haints and free them from corruption.

Weaving extends beyond combat; it's a key element of exploration and puzzle-solving. Hazel conjures "past incarnations of objects," such as a spectral carriage or glider, using her Weaving powers to navigate the environment.

Hazel's quest to reunite with her mother takes her through diverse regions, each with unique themes and environments, ruled by mythical creatures steeped in Southern Gothic lore. Art director Whitney Clayton mentions Two-Toed Tom, a colossal albino alligator, as one such formidable guardian.

Hazel collects Echoes—fragments of haunted memories—to heal these corrupted creatures. However, epic confrontations are unavoidable before she can ultimately restore them.

Through exploration, combat, and the power of Weaving, Hazel's journey to save her mother and free the corrupted mythical creatures promises a rich and unforgettable adventure.