The embargo has lifted, opening the floodgates to a wave of reviews for South of Midnight, the latest third-person action-adventure offering from Compulsion Games and Xbox Game Studios.
As I sift through the scores and critiques, it’s clear that while the game has earned the admiration of most critics for its captivating story, striking art direction, and remarkable soundtrack, opinions about its combat mechanics and some other gameplay elements are mixed.
At the moment, South of Midnight holds a score of 78 on Metacritic, aggregated from 62 reviews, and mirrors this score on Opencritic, which compiles insights from 75 reviews.
Here’s a roundup of thoughts and scores from various gaming outlets:
GamingTrend awarded it a high 95 out of 100, commending its thematic commitment and highlighting the use of music as a narrative device, stating, “From the character models to the music and beyond, South of Midnight showcases what it means to build a game around a style and fully commit to it.”
Pure Xbox gave a 9 out of 10, describing the game as “a bit of a triumph” with some caveats about the combat, but praised its soul, personality, and charm, making it hard not to love.
PCMag’s 8 out of 10 review celebrated the game as a journey of growth and understanding, praising its rich Southern culture backdrop despite some gameplay clichés, calling it “an early dark horse contender for game of the year.”
Inverse rated it 7 out of 10, noting that while it’s a delightful weekend adventure for Game Pass subscribers, it doesn’t quite rise to be the standout single-player experience they had hoped for.
Eurogamer offered a more restrained 6 out of 10, observing that in trying to appeal broadly, the game sacrifices unique interactivity and identity beyond typical platforming and fighting patterns.
Visually, South of Midnight is a sight to behold. It unfolds in a manner that’s both intriguing and enchanting. And while the setting and story are generally lauded, individual critics connect to them in varying degrees.
As for me, I’ve cherished this adventure, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars in my review. I remarked that the story of a young Weaver on a quest to save her mother is a gripping yarn, and expressed hope to see more of Hazel’s journey. South of Midnight stands as a tribute to Southern Gothic and the larger American South, offering a meaningful experience.
Players can dive into South of Midnight when it officially launches on April 8, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC via Steam and the Xbox PC app. As a treat for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers, it’s included at no extra cost, and those with the Premium Edition can access it early.
