Visuals
South of Midnight makes a strong initial impression thanks to its striking visual style. Creature designs, particularly the fish and alligator, are standout highlights, and subtle details like the eerie expression in Hazel’s mother’s eyes contribute to a haunting atmosphere. However, while the artistic direction is strong, the environments quickly begin to feel repetitive. Many areas look and feel the same, and the visual variety does not hold up over time.
Gameplay
Gameplay feels dated and simplistic. The structure follows a basic loop of moving from one combat arena to the next with short platforming sections in between. Early in the game, Hazel unlocks an ability to create platforms, but this mechanic is overused to the point of becoming tiresome. The camera cannot be adjusted and often feels clunky, especially during platforming segments.
Combat lacks depth. Enemies have very limited attack patterns, and most encounters become dull quickly. Instead of increasing challenge through smarter design, the game simply throws more enemies at the player. Many foes get knocked back or run away after just a few hits, which breaks the pacing and leads to repetitive chases. The skill tree offers only basic upgrades, and the new abilities unlocked throughout the game feel underwhelming and add little variety to the gameplay.
Story and Characters
Hazel is a well-written and engaging protagonist, but her reactions during key moments often feel unconvincing. The story starts with potential but loses impact due to predictable plot turns. The main villain is revealed far too early, which eliminates much of the suspense. Despite this, the writing remains solid overall, and several side characters help keep the narrative enjoyable. The fish character stands out as a highlight thanks to its charm and humor.
Exploration and World Design
Exploration offers little incentive. Most rewards come in the form of letters or upgrade materials, but these rarely feel meaningful. Puzzles are too simple to be satisfying, and the world design lacks the creativity needed to make discovery feel worthwhile. Although the environments look good at first glance, they do not evolve or surprise the player as the game progresses.
Sound and Performance
The music is serviceable, with a few decent tracks, but nothing stands out as particularly memorable. The game runs fairly well overall, though a few technical issues are present. Occasional bugs include getting hit after dodging or walking through seemingly blocked paths. These moments are rare but noticeable.
Verdict
7 out of 10
South of Midnight delivers a visually impressive experience but struggles to back it up with meaningful gameplay. Its combat, exploration, and progression systems are all too simple to leave a lasting impression. With a short runtime and a full-price tag, it is hard to recommend unless the art direction alone is enough to draw you in. The game has charm, particularly in its characters, but lacks the depth needed to truly stand out.
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