South of Midnight transports players to the imaginary town of Prospero, situated in the heart of the American Deep South. In this narrative-driven adventure, you step into the shoes of Hazel Flood, a determined young woman on a relentless quest to locate her mother, Lacey, after a hurricane devastates her modest trailer home, both physically and emotionally. Although you will traverse various locations within the town, it’s essential to note that this is not an open-world game.
The developers at Compulsion Games have successfully struck a balance between engaging storytelling, platforming mechanics, and thrilling combat sequences. While some environments are larger, they primarily host a limited array of secrets and collectibles, enhancing the overall gaming experience. Although the main storyline is reasonably lengthy, players may choose to spend additional time scouring the multiple corners of Prospero to discover hidden treasures and lore.
The Structure of South of Midnight
Characterized by its linear progression, South of Midnight resembles many single-player adventures that can be completed in less than a day. The narrative is structured into chapters, varying in length and complexity. For instance, Chapter 5, titled “Everything that Rises,” marks a significant increase in gameplay challenges compared to its predecessors, primarily featuring more extensive platforming elements.
As Hazel progresses, she discovers magical artifacts that enhance her movement capabilities, such as gliding and grappling. These new skills enable her to access previously unreachable areas, inviting exploration of small, dilapidated structures brimming with collectibles and intriguing lore. However, players often find themselves redirected to the main storyline path with limited opportunities to further investigate alternative routes.
Exploration Mechanics in South of Midnight
Players will encounter sections requiring backtracking to advance the narrative and discover hidden areas that can easily be overlooked. While the inclusion of secret spots may not mirror the expansive exploration found in fully open-world titles, it provides a taste of that experience within the game’s framework.
Each area allows for moments of curiosity and investigation before players reach points of no return, which can limit further exploration. For those pressed for time, there is a risk of missing out on collectibles and unique floof deposits, which necessitate a bit more effort to uncover.
In general, players can expect to complete the game within a handful of hours, depending on the chosen difficulty setting and whether they aim for 100% completion.