Sunday, July 6, 2025
  • Login
Gamanta
  • Home
  • Gaming News
    Today’s Top Deals: Samsung Gaming Monitors, Crucial 2TB SSD for PS5, and More

    Today’s Top Deals: Samsung Gaming Monitors, Crucial 2TB SSD for PS5, and More

    Zenless Zone Zero Marks Its First Anniversary—Again—with a New Story Chapter

    Zenless Zone Zero Marks Its First Anniversary—Again—with a New Story Chapter

    Persona 5: The Phantom X – Ongoing Review

    Persona 5: The Phantom X – Ongoing Review

    Elden Ring Nightreign Patch: Key Bug Fixes and a Handy QOL Update

    Elden Ring Nightreign Patch: Key Bug Fixes and a Handy QOL Update

    Cyborg Schoolgirl Unleashes Teen Rebels on Office Rampage

    Cyborg Schoolgirl Unleashes Teen Rebels on Office Rampage

    5 Games to Celebrate the End of June

    5 Games to Celebrate the End of June

  • PlayStation
    Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 518: Expedition Connection – PlayStation Blog

    Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 518: Expedition Connection – PlayStation Blog

    Highly-Rated PS4 Action RPG Available for Under $5 in New PS Store Sale

    Highly-Rated PS4 Action RPG Available for Under $5 in New PS Store Sale

    Exciting News for Console Gamers from Once Human

    Exciting News for Console Gamers from Once Human

    IREM Collection Volume 3 Arriving Next Week

    [Giveaway] Free IREM Collection Volume 3 for PlayStation (NA)

    Global Update for PlayStation Store – April 8, 2025

    Global PlayStation Store Update – July 1, 2025

    Artist Unveils Pixel Art Version of Iconic Fallout 4 Scene

    Artist Unveils Pixel Art Version of Iconic Fallout 4 Scene

  • Xbox
    Borderlands’ Claptrap Dialogue Slider: A Humorous Yet Risky Gamble

    Borderlands’ Claptrap Dialogue Slider: A Humorous Yet Risky Gamble

    Upcoming Xbox Releases: New Games for July 7-11

    Upcoming Xbox Releases: New Games for July 7-11

    Top Crossplay Games Available on Xbox Game Pass

    Top Crossplay Games Available on Xbox Game Pass

    Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Unveils Exciting New Features

    Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Unveils Exciting New Features

    Apex Legends Unveils Patch Notes for Latest Update

    Apex Legends Unveils Patch Notes for Latest Update

    Discover the Legends of Trivia Coming to Xbox in The Jackbox Party Pack 11

    Discover the Legends of Trivia Coming to Xbox in The Jackbox Party Pack 11

  • Nintendo
    Nintendo 3DS Gamer Finds Sealed Case Crumbling to Dust

    Nintendo 3DS Gamer Finds Sealed Case Crumbling to Dust

    Patch Notes for Update 1.4.2 of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

    Patch Notes for Update 1.4.2 of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

    New Overview Trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza Swings In

    New Overview Trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza Swings In

    WWE 2K25 Announces July 23 Release Date – News

    WWE 2K25 Announces July 23 Release Date – News

    Schoolgirl in Full Metal Gear Set for Switch 2 Debut in October

    Schoolgirl in Full Metal Gear Set for Switch 2 Debut in October

    World’s First Achievement by Super Mario Maker 2 Player

    World’s First Achievement by Super Mario Maker 2 Player

  • PC Gaming
    Save $550 on the ASUS ProArt PX13: High-Resolution 3K OLED Creator Laptop Deal

    Save $550 on the ASUS ProArt PX13: High-Resolution 3K OLED Creator Laptop Deal

    EA Finally Shuts Down Anthem

    EA Finally Shuts Down Anthem

    Unbelievably, Get Expedition 33 and Stellar Blade for Only $1

    Unbelievably, Get Expedition 33 and Stellar Blade for Only $1

    Marvel Rivals Unveils Team-Up Updates for Season 3

    Marvel Rivals Unveils Team-Up Updates for Season 3

    FFXIV July 2025 Housing Lottery Schedule

    FFXIV July 2025 Housing Lottery Schedule

    UK Games Expo 2025 Coverage – That VideoGame Blog

    UK Games Expo 2025 Coverage – That VideoGame Blog

  • Virtual Reality
  • Consoles
    Inventor’s Nephew Designs Gift Card-Sized Handheld Gaming Console: The GamerCard with 4-Inch IPS Screen and Pre-Loaded Arcade Classics

    Inventor’s Nephew Designs Gift Card-Sized Handheld Gaming Console: The GamerCard with 4-Inch IPS Screen and Pre-Loaded Arcade Classics

    Nintendo to Limit Switch 2’s USB-C Port Compatibility – Most Third-Party Docks and Accessories Affected by Proprietary Protocols

    Nintendo to Limit Switch 2’s USB-C Port Compatibility – Most Third-Party Docks and Accessories Affected by Proprietary Protocols

    Nintendo Faces Government Scrutiny Over Switch 2: Brazilian Watchdog Criticizes ‘Abusive Clauses’ in User Agreement

    Nintendo Faces Government Scrutiny Over Switch 2: Brazilian Watchdog Criticizes ‘Abusive Clauses’ in User Agreement

    Alleged Overheating Issues with Nintendo Switch 2: Users Experience Freezing and Crashes on Cyberpunk 2077 and Other Games

    Alleged Overheating Issues with Nintendo Switch 2: Users Experience Freezing and Crashes on Cyberpunk 2077 and Other Games

    Nintendo to Adjust Hardware, Game, and Membership Prices in Canada Due to Market Shifts — Switch 2 Prices Unchanged, Changes Effective August 1

    Nintendo to Adjust Hardware, Game, and Membership Prices in Canada Due to Market Shifts — Switch 2 Prices Unchanged, Changes Effective August 1

    Windows 95 Partially Runs on a Modded PlayStation 2, But Can’t Handle Doom

    Windows 95 Partially Runs on a Modded PlayStation 2, But Can’t Handle Doom

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Gaming News
    Today’s Top Deals: Samsung Gaming Monitors, Crucial 2TB SSD for PS5, and More

    Today’s Top Deals: Samsung Gaming Monitors, Crucial 2TB SSD for PS5, and More

    Zenless Zone Zero Marks Its First Anniversary—Again—with a New Story Chapter

    Zenless Zone Zero Marks Its First Anniversary—Again—with a New Story Chapter

    Persona 5: The Phantom X – Ongoing Review

    Persona 5: The Phantom X – Ongoing Review

    Elden Ring Nightreign Patch: Key Bug Fixes and a Handy QOL Update

    Elden Ring Nightreign Patch: Key Bug Fixes and a Handy QOL Update

    Cyborg Schoolgirl Unleashes Teen Rebels on Office Rampage

    Cyborg Schoolgirl Unleashes Teen Rebels on Office Rampage

    5 Games to Celebrate the End of June

    5 Games to Celebrate the End of June

  • PlayStation
    Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 518: Expedition Connection – PlayStation Blog

    Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 518: Expedition Connection – PlayStation Blog

    Highly-Rated PS4 Action RPG Available for Under $5 in New PS Store Sale

    Highly-Rated PS4 Action RPG Available for Under $5 in New PS Store Sale

    Exciting News for Console Gamers from Once Human

    Exciting News for Console Gamers from Once Human

    IREM Collection Volume 3 Arriving Next Week

    [Giveaway] Free IREM Collection Volume 3 for PlayStation (NA)

    Global Update for PlayStation Store – April 8, 2025

    Global PlayStation Store Update – July 1, 2025

    Artist Unveils Pixel Art Version of Iconic Fallout 4 Scene

    Artist Unveils Pixel Art Version of Iconic Fallout 4 Scene

  • Xbox
    Borderlands’ Claptrap Dialogue Slider: A Humorous Yet Risky Gamble

    Borderlands’ Claptrap Dialogue Slider: A Humorous Yet Risky Gamble

    Upcoming Xbox Releases: New Games for July 7-11

    Upcoming Xbox Releases: New Games for July 7-11

    Top Crossplay Games Available on Xbox Game Pass

    Top Crossplay Games Available on Xbox Game Pass

    Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Unveils Exciting New Features

    Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Unveils Exciting New Features

    Apex Legends Unveils Patch Notes for Latest Update

    Apex Legends Unveils Patch Notes for Latest Update

    Discover the Legends of Trivia Coming to Xbox in The Jackbox Party Pack 11

    Discover the Legends of Trivia Coming to Xbox in The Jackbox Party Pack 11

  • Nintendo
    Nintendo 3DS Gamer Finds Sealed Case Crumbling to Dust

    Nintendo 3DS Gamer Finds Sealed Case Crumbling to Dust

    Patch Notes for Update 1.4.2 of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

    Patch Notes for Update 1.4.2 of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

    New Overview Trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza Swings In

    New Overview Trailer for Donkey Kong Bananza Swings In

    WWE 2K25 Announces July 23 Release Date – News

    WWE 2K25 Announces July 23 Release Date – News

    Schoolgirl in Full Metal Gear Set for Switch 2 Debut in October

    Schoolgirl in Full Metal Gear Set for Switch 2 Debut in October

    World’s First Achievement by Super Mario Maker 2 Player

    World’s First Achievement by Super Mario Maker 2 Player

  • PC Gaming
    Save $550 on the ASUS ProArt PX13: High-Resolution 3K OLED Creator Laptop Deal

    Save $550 on the ASUS ProArt PX13: High-Resolution 3K OLED Creator Laptop Deal

    EA Finally Shuts Down Anthem

    EA Finally Shuts Down Anthem

    Unbelievably, Get Expedition 33 and Stellar Blade for Only $1

    Unbelievably, Get Expedition 33 and Stellar Blade for Only $1

    Marvel Rivals Unveils Team-Up Updates for Season 3

    Marvel Rivals Unveils Team-Up Updates for Season 3

    FFXIV July 2025 Housing Lottery Schedule

    FFXIV July 2025 Housing Lottery Schedule

    UK Games Expo 2025 Coverage – That VideoGame Blog

    UK Games Expo 2025 Coverage – That VideoGame Blog

  • Virtual Reality
  • Consoles
    Inventor’s Nephew Designs Gift Card-Sized Handheld Gaming Console: The GamerCard with 4-Inch IPS Screen and Pre-Loaded Arcade Classics

    Inventor’s Nephew Designs Gift Card-Sized Handheld Gaming Console: The GamerCard with 4-Inch IPS Screen and Pre-Loaded Arcade Classics

    Nintendo to Limit Switch 2’s USB-C Port Compatibility – Most Third-Party Docks and Accessories Affected by Proprietary Protocols

    Nintendo to Limit Switch 2’s USB-C Port Compatibility – Most Third-Party Docks and Accessories Affected by Proprietary Protocols

    Nintendo Faces Government Scrutiny Over Switch 2: Brazilian Watchdog Criticizes ‘Abusive Clauses’ in User Agreement

    Nintendo Faces Government Scrutiny Over Switch 2: Brazilian Watchdog Criticizes ‘Abusive Clauses’ in User Agreement

    Alleged Overheating Issues with Nintendo Switch 2: Users Experience Freezing and Crashes on Cyberpunk 2077 and Other Games

    Alleged Overheating Issues with Nintendo Switch 2: Users Experience Freezing and Crashes on Cyberpunk 2077 and Other Games

    Nintendo to Adjust Hardware, Game, and Membership Prices in Canada Due to Market Shifts — Switch 2 Prices Unchanged, Changes Effective August 1

    Nintendo to Adjust Hardware, Game, and Membership Prices in Canada Due to Market Shifts — Switch 2 Prices Unchanged, Changes Effective August 1

    Windows 95 Partially Runs on a Modded PlayStation 2, But Can’t Handle Doom

    Windows 95 Partially Runs on a Modded PlayStation 2, But Can’t Handle Doom

No Result
View All Result
Gamanta
No Result
View All Result
Home Xbox

Hands-On with South of Midnight: A Stunning, Uncompromising Fairytale Adventure

by Ashley Haze
February 11, 2025
in Xbox
0 0
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


South of Midnight initially seems to fit the mold of a classic action-adventure game: a protagonist taken from the mundane into an extraordinary quest, armed with magical powers and skills. However, once you dive in, those notions quickly dissolve. The world here is astonishingly unique, and as you journey through its third chapter, that uniqueness consistently surprises. The setting, the narrative, and even the music feel fresh and engaging, all brought together by thrilling combat and delightful exploration.

The demo starts with our protagonist, Hazel, embarking on a quest to find her mother after a flood separates them. Hazel, now aware of her heritage as a Weaver, can manipulate reality’s hidden threads with magic, both in battle and exploration. However, her familiar surroundings now feel alien, transformed into a Southern Gothic landscape that seems almost antagonistic at times.

The trailers offered glimpses of South of Midnight’s expansive world and storyline, but the real magic unfolds when you play. Scattered across the landscape are shimmering energy spheres, each reminiscent of an oil spill. Step into one, and you’ll face Haints, mythical creatures inspired by Southern legends. These adversaries vary greatly: some engage with rapid melee assaults, others prefer ranged attacks, while some release swarms of insects to distract you. Deciding the order of attack becomes a strategic necessity.

Combat in South of Midnight isn’t for the faint-hearted. It often places you against numerous Haints simultaneously, any of which could significantly reduce your health bar with a single hit. The action intensifies, demanding players adapt their attacks quickly within the luminous battle arenas. While melee attacks deal with foes swiftly, they leave you vulnerable; thankfully, you also have magic at your disposal. You can manipulate enemies, perhaps even hurling the smaller ones against others or binding them with magical threads.

Upgrades let you refine your tactics. I quickly chose a passive boost: enemies bound by magic took additional damage, allowing for swift dispatch of tougher foes. Here, aggression pays off – even a well-timed dodge turns offensive, triggering a burst of magic from where you just stood, hinting at the combat’s hidden depth.

Animation is another highlight. Characters move with a charm reminiscent of hand-crafted stop-motion figures during cutscenes, creating an engaging blend of art and storytelling. Once gameplay resumes, the fluidity of character movement shines, ensuring each action is seamless and immediate, indicative of a well-crafted action game.

The world Hazel traverses is deeply atmospheric. Mangrove swamps give way to dilapidated structures, thickets block paths, and oversized fruits float, decaying in murky waters. Climbing to higher vantage points reveals vistas that extend far beyond reachable areas, hinting at a vastness that captivates. This unexplored setting is bathed in stunning light, casting long shadows through overgrown flora and wrapping everything in a mystical mist.

Navigating this landscape requires mastering Hazel’s Weaving abilities – the same magic used in combat aids her in exploration. Remnants of history help you traverse the waterlogged environment, while pushing and pulling the surroundings unveil hidden paths and stories. Although there’s a clear route marked for you, these same paths harbor secrets and materials essential for upgrades, encouraging thorough exploration.

Guided along this path, Hazel encounters Catfish, a dual-role character serving as narrator and companion, held captive by a humanoid tree. Releasing him involves a mission imbued with dreamlike logic: retrieve a magical bottle, collect the haunting psychic pain twisting the tree, and uncover the underlying trauma.

Despite the whimsical premise, the narrative can be unexpectedly dark. Without giving too much away, players discover the history of how this part of the world twisted an ordinary man into a towering tree through relentless suffering.

This depth of storytelling is another area where South of Midnight stands out. Like the combat style, the narrative isn’t sanitized – Hazel, unapologetically candid, expresses herself vividly when challenged. Compulsion Games describes this as a Southern Gothic tale, which is entirely accurate. The stories are as haunting as they are compelling, refusing to shy away from the horror that inhabits this world. Hazel, as a Weaver, is tasked with mending brokenness, faced with a world in dire need of healing.

Just when you think you’ve grasped the game’s rhythm, it shifts. Suddenly, in the final stages of the preview, something indestructible begins pursuing you, turning combat into a frantic escape. The gentle platforming becomes paramount for survival, requiring precise timing. This shift, from combat to evasion, keeps players on their toes, demonstrating South of Midnight’s ability to constantly surprise.

As the preview wraps up, we’re left with another twist. Each major area introduces a Mythical Creature, colossal figures drawn from folklore. But, not all encounters culminate in conventional battles. Emphasizing Hazel’s role as a healer, not all these encounters demand aggression. Ailing creatures present opportunities for cures rather than conflicts – in this case, you aim to heal the tree, not harm it, climaxing in an intense ascent that offers sweeping views of Hazel’s journey thus far.

As Hazel scales this enormous obstacle, music plays a significant role. Throughout the level, echoes of a song drift into earshot, telling the story you’ve pieced together, adding layers with every level Hazel ascends. It’s a masterful blend of gameplay, narrative, and music, creating an unforgettable moment.

Thus, South of Midnight showcases how Compulsion Games has crafted an experience unlike any other. With so many new elements introduced early on, the mysteries waiting later promise to be even more intriguing.

Scheduled for release on April 8, 2025, South of Midnight will launch on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via the Xbox App and Steam, as well as in the cloud, with Game Pass availability from day one. For those eager to jump into its enchanting world early, the Premium Edition offers early access and digital extras, inviting players to delve into its rich tapestry of storytelling and exploration.

Tags: handsonStunningAdventureSouthMidnightUncompromisingFairytale
Previous Post

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 on Xbox Series S Supports Other Platforms

Next Post

Jurassic World, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Fantastic Four Celebrate Their 10th Anniversaries Amid Hollywood’s Nostalgia Boom

Related Posts

Borderlands’ Claptrap Dialogue Slider: A Humorous Yet Risky Gamble

Borderlands’ Claptrap Dialogue Slider: A Humorous Yet Risky Gamble

July 5, 2025
Upcoming Xbox Releases: New Games for July 7-11

Upcoming Xbox Releases: New Games for July 7-11

July 4, 2025

Top Crossplay Games Available on Xbox Game Pass

July 4, 2025

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders Unveils Exciting New Features

July 2, 2025

Apex Legends Unveils Patch Notes for Latest Update

July 2, 2025

Discover the Legends of Trivia Coming to Xbox in The Jackbox Party Pack 11

June 30, 2025
Next Post
Jurassic World, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Fantastic Four Celebrate Their 10th Anniversaries Amid Hollywood’s Nostalgia Boom

Jurassic World, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Fantastic Four Celebrate Their 10th Anniversaries Amid Hollywood's Nostalgia Boom

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Jedi Power Battles Debuts Tomorrow with Cheat Codes and Updated Controls Unveiled – PlayStation.Blog

    Jedi Power Battles Debuts Tomorrow with Cheat Codes and Updated Controls Unveiled – PlayStation.Blog

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Atomic Heart Unveils New Character for DLC 3 Release

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Video Game History Foundation Library Launches in Early Access – News

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Hits a New Low Price of $449

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Silent Hill Showcase Stream Set for This Week; Get Ready to Engage!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Gamanta

Stay updated with Gamanta for the latest gaming news on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Nintendo, and beyond!

Categories

  • Gaming News
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox
  • Nintendo
  • PC Gaming
  • Consoles
No Result
View All Result

Recent News

  • Borderlands’ Claptrap Dialogue Slider: A Humorous Yet Risky Gamble
  • Save $550 on the ASUS ProArt PX13: High-Resolution 3K OLED Creator Laptop Deal
  • Today’s Top Deals: Samsung Gaming Monitors, Crucial 2TB SSD for PS5, and More
  • DMCA
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2025 Gamanta - All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Gaming News
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox
  • Nintendo
  • PC Gaming
  • Virtual Reality
  • Consoles

Copyright © 2025 Gamanta - All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.