Preview of South of Midnight
South of Midnight is an upcoming game from Compulsion Games that has attracted a lot of attention due to its unique style and engaging narrative. After spending 90 minutes with the game in a recent preview, I found myself with a mixture of excitement and confusion, particularly regarding the game’s frame rate. This article shares insights from the preview, highlighting what works well, what doesn’t, and why there is still hope for this title.
About Compulsion Games
Compulsion Games is known for its distinct artistic style and storytelling. Since its debut with Contrast in 2013, followed by the acclaimed We Happy Few, the studio has captivated fans with its polished graphics and unique characters. Acquired by Microsoft in 2018, the team has been hard at work on South of Midnight, and anticipation has been building with each trailer revealing stunning Southern Gothic visuals and a memorable soundtrack.
The Setting and Story
South of Midnight is set in a magical interpretation of the American Deep South, particularly the fictional town of Prospero. Players step into the shoes of Hazel, a young Black woman on a quest to find her mother after a devastating hurricane. As a Weaver, Hazel possesses magical abilities that allow her to manipulate the very fabric of reality.
Environment Highlights
The world of Prospero is vividly brought to life:
- Natural Beauty: Swamps glowing with a golden light, towering cypresses, dense ferns, and vines creating an immersive landscape.
- Unique Landmarks: The setting is dotted with oversized magical fruits and crumbling houses filled with haunting memories, eviction notices, and relics from the past.
- Mystical Atmosphere: The entire environment feels infused with magic, enhancing the storytelling potential of the game.
Gameplay Mechanics
Upon entering the game, players will find that Hazel’s journey is both linear and exploratory. While the main quest focuses on finding her mother, there are opportunities for players to discover hidden paths and collectibles.
Movement and Exploration
Hazel’s movement mechanics are fluid and responsive:
- Traversal Options: Hazel can run, jump, double jump, glide, and even wall run, creating an engaging platforming experience.
- Natural Flow: The abilities stack effectively, making exploration feel seamless within this magical world.
Characterization
Hazel is portrayed as a strong and relatable protagonist. Her character design, from her textured clothing to her snappy dialogue, makes her feel alive. Players will enjoy moments of humor, such as her reactions to the curious creatures she encounters. The voice and motion capture performances contribute significantly to the vibrant character depiction.
Encounters and Quests
During the preview, players will meet quirky locals and magical beings while unraveling the story behind the town’s ghosts. Hazel’s journey includes a memorable quest involving two brothers, drawing players deeper into the lore of Prospero.
Combat System
Combat in South of Midnight occurs in confined areas, adding strategy to encounters against supernatural enemies, known as haints. Players face various types of foes, each with unique attacks, ensuring varied combat experiences.
Abilities and Strategy
Hazel has a suite of abilities to aid her in battle:
- Basic Combat Skills: Includes regular attacks, dodges, and healing capabilities.
- Magic Functions: Four unique abilities—Weave, Strand Push, Strand Pull, and a final locked move—allow for creativity in combat.
- Resource Management: Players can tap into healing totems and collect health regenerations from defeated enemies.
Animation and Frame Rate Issues
Despite the game showing promise, there are notable concerns regarding its animation and frame rate consistency. The intention behind the stop-motion effect is appealing but inconsistent.
Observations
During the preview, the game exhibits a mix of 60 frames per second gameplay combined with cutscenes that resemble a much lower frame rate. This inconsistency creates confusion as it sometimes feels more like a technical issue than an artistic choice. Even attempts to toggle the stop-motion effects did not reveal significant improvements.
Performance Expectations
As the game is still under development, there is optimism that Compulsion Games will address performance concerns before the anticipated release on April 8.
Potential for Improvement
- Framerate Optimization: Aiming for consistent performance across scenes will greatly enhance the player’s experience.
- Commitment to Style: A clearer execution of the stop-motion aesthetic could unify the game’s visual presentation.
Conclusion
South of Midnight presents an exciting blend of beautiful artistry, engaging storytelling, and intriguing gameplay mechanics. Although there are concerns, particularly regarding animation and frame rates, the potential of this title remains strong. As Compulsion Games moves forward, fans can hope for a polished and captivating experience that promises to deliver a rich narrative and dynamic world.
South of Midnight is set to release on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass on April 8. The anticipation for this title is enormous, and with some refinement, it could become a beloved addition to the gaming landscape.
