South of Midnight

South of Midnight has an immediate initial wow factor; the stop-motion style animation is cool and the visuals are extraordinarily pretty. Then I got to the platforming and puzzle solving, which are both inoffensively by the numbers. Then I got to the combat, which is slightly too stiff for my liking and not in the least bit remarkable. At this point, I wasn't sure how much of this game I would actually play. I'm glad I carried on. Some might argue that a gorgeous visual style or a fantastically told story that takes inspiration from Southern American folk tales shouldn't excuse the actual "game" parts of a game being so unremarkable or by the numbers. Hell, up until about 20 minutes ago I might very well have agreed with you. But, my god, South of Midnight is exponentially more than the sum of its parts. Could the story have been told as a film or a TV series? Absolutely it could have, but by being a game - having you guide Hazel through the environments she must traverse and discovering the fates of the various mystical creatures and human inhabitants of Prospero - South of Midnight's tales of heartbreak, suffering, regret and love are so, so much more powerful than they would have been if you were merely passively observing them. Special mention also has to go to the soundtrack. Every piece of music and every song is exceptional, whether it's just setting the tone for a scene or going full-on musical theatre to further bring the tragic stories of characters like Two Toe Tom, Huggin' Molly and others to life. I'm glad Xbox Game Studios started just giving out the digital deluxe extras with the standard edition of the game, because this is a soundtrack that I'll want to listen to again without question. I could probably count on one hand the number of games that have made me so invested in a narrative or feel for characters as much as South of Midnight did, or games that are as beautifully animated, or games that are just such a joy to experience. South of Midnight is one of the best games I've played in a very, very long time.

This is a very cute game with fantastic artwork and music. I really have been enjoying the story so far and the setting is really great. If you enjoy southern/creole folklore you will enjoy this game!

Gameplay-wise, it's a run-of-the-mill, albeit quite polished and well-made, third-person platforming, hack & slash, adventure game. Think Kena: Bridge of Spirits, if you're familiar with it, minus the souls-like stuff. What makes this game unique, standout, and awesome though, is the sadly underutilised, gorgeous Southern Gothic horror setting, and drenched in style (Hazel's main outfit is the coolest s**t). Then there's the perfectly executed stop-motion, clay puppet-style animation and models. However, to me, the biggest standout of the game is its soundtrack and sound design. I want to say it's the best I've ever experienced. The way it all fits together: the soft, haunting, powerful vocal sounds Hazel's abilities create; the double-jump, dash, float, and spells, all matching and blending in with the game's OST vocals, while contrasting the crude, unpleasant sounds enemies make and the darker musical tones that kick in when they're around. So, while the gameplay itself is very familiar territory, everything else is what makes this game a must-play, IMHO.