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 the upcoming release of South of Midnight.

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 story and its release date: April 8, 2025. The game unfolds in the fictional 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, with 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 mother unexpectedly unveils her true heritage, thrusting 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 interwoven threads of fate."

Hazel's ability to see and weave these threads allows her to interact with the world in unique ways. However, her journey is fraught with peril. Haints, corrupted creatures spreading decay, pose a significant threat. Hazel must master her Weaving powers to purify them and restore balance to Prospero.

Embark on Hazel's adventure in the American Deep South early—April 3, 2025—by purchasing the Premium Edition for $49.99 on Steam or the Xbox Store. The standard edition is available for $39.99, and Game Pass subscribers can play on day one.

Gameplay: Threads, Weaving, and Combat

South of Midnight introduces the innovative concept of Weaving, using threads—the connections that form the tapestry of fate—to manipulate the world. In combat, Hazel unlocks spells and abilities as she confronts various Haints.

Game director Jasmin Roy described the core combat loop during the Xbox Developer Direct 2025: "Push, Pull, and Weave spells offer tactical advantages. Timing is key. Pull enemies closer for melee combos, push them back to interrupt attacks, then follow up with devastating strikes."

Hazel's arsenal includes a spindle, weaving hooks, and a distaff, tools inspired by traditional textile crafting. These provide diverse combat options, allowing players to creatively overcome the Haints and cleanse them of their corruption.

Weaving is also crucial for exploration. Hazel uses her powers to conjure "past incarnations of objects," solving puzzles and accessing new areas. The Developer Direct showcased her conjuring a spectral carriage and a glider.

Hazel's quest takes her through various regions, each with unique themes and environments, ruled by mythical creatures steeped in Southern Gothic lore. Two-Toed Tom, a massive albino alligator adorned with vegetation and weaponry, was highlighted in the Direct.

To heal these corrupted creatures, Hazel must collect Echoes—fragments of haunted memories—and engage in epic confrontations before ultimately restoring them.

Hazel's journey to save her mother is a captivating blend of exploration, combat, and magical abilities. Using her Weaving powers, she must cleanse the corrupted creatures and ultimately reunite with her mother.