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 the rich tapestry of Deep South folktales. Learn more about South of Midnight below!

Compulsion Games Presents: South of Midnight

South of Midnight: Story and Release Date

Compulsion Games' narrative designer, Zaire Lanier, recently unveiled details about South of Midnight's compelling story and release date via an Xbox Wire article. Launching April 8th, 2025, the game transports players to the enchanting town of Prospero, a captivating blend of Southern-inspired locales – from flooded landscapes and murky swamps to the majestic Appalachian Mountains.

The story begins amidst a raging hurricane, with protagonist Hazel and her mother preparing for the storm. A brief disagreement leads Hazel to leave their home, only to witness its devastating destruction by the flood. Her subsequent quest to find her missing mother unravels a deeper truth about her origins, plunging her into a fantastical world teeming with creatures straight out of 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 true nature as a Weaver, possessing magical abilities to perceive and manipulate the interwoven threads of fate."

This discovery empowers Hazel to see and weave the very fabric of the universe. However, her journey is fraught with peril. Haints, corrupted creatures spreading decay, stand in her path. Hazel must master her Weaving powers to cleanse them of their corruption and restore balance to the world.

Embark on Hazel's adventure through the American Deep South early—April 3rd, 2025—with the Premium Edition ($49.99) on Steam or the Xbox Store. The standard edition is available for $39.99, and Game Pass subscribers can play on launch day.

Gameplay: Threads, Weaving, and Combat

South of Midnight introduces the innovative concept of Weaving, using threads—the connections forming the tapestry of fate—as a core gameplay mechanic. In combat, Hazel utilizes her Weaving abilities to unlock spells and abilities while confronting various Haints.

Game director Jasmin Roy, during the Xbox Developer_Direct 2025, described the core combat loop: "Push, Pull, and Weave spells provide tactical advantages. Timing is crucial. Pull enemies closer for melee combos, push them back to interrupt attacks, then unleash follow-up strikes."

Hazel’s arsenal includes a spindle, weaving hooks, and a distaff, tools inspired by traditional textile crafting. These provide diverse combat options and abilities, enabling players to purify the Haints of their corruption.

Weaving also plays a vital role in exploration. Hazel uses her magical powers to manipulate threads, conjuring "past incarnations of objects" to solve puzzles and navigate the environment. The Developer Direct showcased Hazel summoning a spectral carriage and a glider.

Hazel's journey takes her through various regions, each with unique themes and environments, ruled by mythical creatures steeped in Southern Gothic lore. Art director Whitney Clayton highlighted Two-Toed Tom, a gigantic albino alligator adorned with weaponry and vegetation, as one such creature.

To heal these corrupted beings, Hazel must collect Echoes—fragments of haunted memories—before engaging in epic confrontations to ultimately purify them.

Hazel’s quest to save her mother will lead her through diverse landscapes, requiring her to master her Weaving abilities to free the corrupted mythical creatures and ultimately reunite with her mother.