Night of the Flood serves as the captivating introduction to South of Midnight. This chapter, while brief and linear, seamlessly sets the stage for the unfolding story. The tension rises immediately with a hurricane warning, thrusting players into the role of Hazel, who is seen packing supplies alone, as her mother is busy attending to the nearby shelter.
This guide will provide essential insights into what you need to know before diving into Night of the Flood, including lore highlights, mission item locations, and more.
Note: Significant story spoilers will be unveiled from this point onward.
A Comprehensive Guide to “Night of the Flood”in South of Midnight
After selecting your difficulty settings, South of Midnight unfolds with an engaging cinematic that lays out the game’s captivating lore. Players will quickly gain control of Hazel, assisting her in gathering both supplies and personal mementos as they prepare to evacuate to Jolene’s church alongside her mother, Lacey.
The initial task titled “Find Mementos to Pack“invites players to explore Hazel’s modest home, where you’ll easily locate items such as a cherished stuffed toy and a nostalgic painting of her with her father.
The stuffed toy is conveniently located on a chair, making it difficult to overlook. Approach it and hit E on your keyboard to interact with it. This action triggers a closer look at the doll, prompting Hazel to recount her memories of how she came to love this particular memento.
The painting is found hanging on the wall opposite the stuffed toy. Interact with it by pressing E. As Hazel reflects on cherished moments spent with her father, players witness a deeper side of her character.
Once all mementos are collected, approach the box and start packing. Lacey soon enters to help, but the light-hearted conversation turns tense, leading to a confrontation.
Checking on Neighbors
After the argument, Lacey urges you to check on Beaux, who resides across the street in a house with its lights still on. This proximity makes it easy to locate him.
Upon visiting, you’ll find Beaux hosting a gathering with his dogs, inviting you to join him for a drink. After checking in with him, proceed to Mrs. Pearle’s home to see if she needs any assistance.
If you have trouble finding her, Mrs. Pearle’s house is the other home lit up in the neighborhood. After knocking, she reassures you that she’s fine and extends an invitation to share a meal. During their conversation, Hazel begins to open up, but their exchange is tragically interrupted when Hazel witnesses Mrs. Pearle’s house succumb to the flooding.
Pursuing the Mobile Home
To continue the journey, players will embody Hazel’s athletic instincts to chase a mobile home downstream. Traverse through fallen trees to create makeshift bridges and ramps. Players will find themselves climbing onto the roof of the mobile home, where they catch a glimpse of Lacey inside, only to get knocked out by the impact of a nearby vehicle.
Miraculously returning to the shoreline, players must persist along the designated path until they notice a familiar sign. After an unsuccessful attempt to board, Hazel seeks help from Bunny, a relative from her father’s side.
This next phase introduces players to the climbing mechanics, emphasizing Hazel’s athletic prowess as she navigates ledges and high spaces akin to other platforming titles.
Arriving at Flood Mansion
On her journey, Hazel encounters bizarre phenomena, including enormous creatures and a flood divided by an unseen barrier leading to the mansion. Upon knocking on the door, she meets Lily, who suggests returning the following day. Ignoring this, Hazel rushes inside and reunites with Bunny, her grandmother. Intrigued by Hazel’s mention of ‘strands’, Bunny instructs Lily to prepare guest accommodations for her granddaughter.
Hazel eventually loses consciousness in a chair, slipping into a metaphysical realm where she must follow the strands guiding her through this strange new dimension.
Following the Strands
Players will be introduced to a new gameplay mechanic known as the Guiding Strand, which will assist in navigating to the next objective. Experience a dreamlike sequence as Hazel journeys through her subconscious until she awakens from a nightmare.
As players explore the Flood mansion, they will encounter a locked main door, leading to creative paths for escape.
Escaping the Flood Mansion
Follow the strands to the mansion’s balcony, where players can use ledges and other elements to progress. As you move forward, discover ancient notes and a chest filled with magical relics. These tools will enable interactions with the strands and aid in facing the Stigma, powerful objects essential for advancing the storyline.
Upon successfully escaping the Flood mansion and concluding the cutscene, players will wrap up the first chapter of South of Midnight.
South of Midnight is available for players on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and GeForce Now.