Compulsion Games has been laying silent since it joined the Xbox Game Studios family in 2018, but recently it finally unveiled its long-awaited new game.
South of Midnight is a Southern Gothic, mystical action-adventure game that was unveiled midway through 2023. The upcoming game will take players on a strange and magical adventure inspired by the folklore of the deep South in the United States. It hails from the creators of other eccentric titles like We Happy Few and Contrast, but this is a brand-new Xbox franchise coming to console and PC.
Here's everything you need to know about South of Midnight, including when it's arriving and on what platforms you'll be able to play it.
Recent updates
Jan. 28, 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. ET — Updated with some additional information and links to relevant articles, added preorder information, and confirmed the release date and launch platforms.
What is South of Midnight?
South of Midnight (originally codenamed Project Midnight) tells the story of Hazel the Weaver. Weavers are special individuals who possess the mystical power to commune with spirits, mend broken bonds, and even alter reality. After a supernatural disaster destroys her hometown, the rookie Weaver Hazel must travel through the Deep South to find out what caused this catastrophe and prevent it from happening again.
Along the way, Hazel will encounter all kinds of mythical creatures based on Southern legends, uncover long-lost secrets regarding her family’s past, and find a place she can finally feel like calling home. It's an action-adventure game that blends fast-paced combat and platforming elements into one, and is the first major title from Compulsion Games since it joined Xbox in 2018. This game isn't connected to Compulsion's previous titles, and is instead a brand-new IP.
When is South of Midnight's release date?
Best answer: South of Midnight is officially releasing on April 8, 2025 for Xbox and Windows PC.
Compulsion Games has been regularly sharing new information on South of Midnight since its reveal, and it was widely expected to drop within the first half of 2025. Now we have a definitive answer, as South of Midnight's release date was revealed during the Xbox Developer_Direct 2025 show alongside new gameplay and story cinematics.
South of Midnight officially launches on April 8, 2025 for Xbox consoles and Windows PC, and is now available to preorder. Those who preorder the Premium Edition can get up to five days of early access, meaning South of Midnight will become available on Apr. 3, 2025.
What platforms will South of Midnight release on?
Best answer: South of Midnight will launch on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows PCs via the Microsoft Store and Steam.
As a first-party game developed in-house at Compulsion Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, South of Midnight will be released on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, as well as Windows PCs through the Microsoft Store and Steam. Yes, this game is exclusive to Xbox's platforms, at least for now.
Xbox has begun to release more of its exclusives on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, so we'll possibly see South of Midnight arrive on those platforms down the line. At launch, however, you'll only be able to play this game on Xbox and Windows PC... and anywhere you can stream it via Xbox Cloud Gaming, of course.
Will South of Midnight come to Xbox Game Pass?
Best answer: Yes, South of Midnight will be launching day one into Xbox and PC Game Pass.
Once again, South of Midnight's position as a first-party Xbox game guarantees that it'll be a permanent addition to the Xbox Game Pass library from day one. You'll also be able to play it through PC Game Pass, or stream it through Xbox Cloud Gaming on Android, iOS, smart TVs, and almost any device with a modern browser.
South of Midnight is also an Xbox Play Anywhere title, meaning you can buy it once on Xbox or PC and own it on both platforms; for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, it simply means that all of your progress will be synced between Xbox, PC, and the cloud, so you can play anywhere, anytime.
Where can I watch South of Midnight's trailers?
Best answer: Right here, of course! Just scroll a little further for all the official South of Midnight trailers you could ever want.
What will South of Midnight's gameplay be like?
Best answer: South of Midnight will be a single-player, third-person action-adventure game with a "wide linear" structure and "deep thematic gameplay elements,” according to the developers.
South of Midnight's gameplay was revealed in a trailer during the Xbox Game Showcase 2024 which confirms that it will be a single-player, third-person action-adventure game. The trailer also confirms that the game will have combat segments where you will need to use Hazel's Weaver magic to fend off hostile monsters.
According to South of Midnight’s official website, the game will also include “deep thematic gameplay elements” and a “wide linear” gameplay structure where players will need to explore areas with hidden secrets and complete each area’s story objectives to progress the overall plot.
From other gameplay showings we've seen, we know that Hazel's abilities as a Weaver are actually inspired by weaving, looms, textiles, and more. Players will unlock a wide range of abilities that allow Hazel to traverse the world in interesting ways and battle the diverse enemies. Every enemy in South of Midnight will be unique and require a unique approach, apparently.
