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 the captivating world of South of Midnight, an action-adventure game inspired by Deep South folktales, revealed at the Xbox Developer Direct 2025.

Compulsion Games Presents: South of Midnight

Narrative and Release Date

Compulsion Games' narrative designer, Zaire Lanier, unveiled the story behind South of Midnight and its release date: April 8th, 2025. The game unfolds in the fictional town of Prospero, a captivating blend of Southern-inspired locations—from flooded lowlands and murky swamps to the majestic Appalachian Mountains.

The story begins amidst a hurricane, with protagonist Hazel and her mother preparing for the storm. A disagreement leads Hazel to leave home, only to witness her house swept away by the raging flood. Her desperate search for her mother leads to an unexpected discovery: her true heritage and a fantastical world teeming with creatures straight out of Southern folklore.

Lanier describes a pivotal encounter: "Hazel encounters Catfish, a colossal—and surprisingly talkative—creature, stranded in a tree after the hurricane. Catfish reveals Hazel's identity as a Weaver, possessing magical abilities to perceive and manipulate the threads connecting all things."

This revelation unlocks Hazel's power to see and weave the threads of fate. However, her journey is fraught with peril. Haints, corrupted creatures spreading decay, stand in her path. Hazel must master her Weaving abilities to cleanse them of their corruption and restore balance to the world.

Early access begins April 3rd, 2025, with the Premium Edition ($49.99) available on Steam and the Xbox Store. The standard edition is priced at $39.99. Game Pass subscribers can also play on launch day.

Gameplay: Threads and Weaving

South of Midnight introduces a unique gameplay mechanic centered around "threads"—the connections forming the tapestry of fate—and the magical art of Weaving. Combat utilizes this mechanic, with spells and abilities unlocked as Hazel confronts various Haints.

Game director Jasmin Roy highlighted the core combat loop at the Xbox Developer Direct 2025: "Push, Pull, and Weave spells offer tactical advantages. Timing is key. Pull enemies closer for melee combos, push them back to interrupt attacks, then unleash devastating follow-up strikes."

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

Weaving also plays a crucial role in exploration. Hazel uses her magical powers to conjure "past incarnations of objects," solving puzzles and accessing new areas. The Direct showcased her conjuring a spectral carriage and a glider.

Art director Whitney Clayton revealed that Hazel's journey will take her through diverse regions, each with its own unique theme and environment, ruled by a mythical creature steeped in Southern Gothic lore. The Direct featured Two-Toed Tom, a massive albino alligator adorned with weapons and vegetation.

Hazel must collect Echoes—fragments of haunted memories—to heal these corrupted creatures. However, epic confrontations are unavoidable before she can ultimately purify them.

Hazel's quest to save her mother will lead her through a richly detailed world, requiring her to master her Weaving abilities to free the mythical creatures and ultimately reunite with her mother.