South of Midnight is gearing up for an eagerly anticipated release on April 8—or you could dive into its mysterious charms right now with the Premium Edition. This mesmerizing new title will be playable on Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox app for Windows PC, Steam, and even through the cloud. And here’s the kicker: it’s joining Game Pass on day one. Thanks to Xbox Play Anywhere, you can seamlessly switch between your Xbox console, PC, and the cloud, carrying your progress with you wherever you go. To mark this exciting launch, we’ve collated six insightful tips to enhance your exploration and combat experience.
In South of Midnight, you’re invited into a captivating yet eerie world inspired by Southern American folklore. Don’t let its fairytale-like façade fool you—beneath this intriguing surface lies a narrative that’s as complex as it is compelling. You’ll step into the shoes of Hazel, who finds herself imbued with magical weaving powers after a supernatural incident whisks her mother away. Your journey will take you across a distorted version of the South, where you’ll face Haints—twisted adversaries born from the world’s sorrows—and help mythical creatures, whose legendary tales have been beautifully realized by Compulsion Games.
For those who get the Premium Edition, the adventure begins today—well ahead of the general release on April 8. Ready your spirit of adventure with these tips for navigating the game’s exploration and combat challenges:
### Look Everywhere
Each chapter of South of Midnight is far more than it appears at first glance. While you can follow the Guiding Strand, a magical thread leading you to your objectives, there are hidden stretches begging to be discovered. Some locations can only be accessed via clever platforming or the strategic use of spells, while others may draw you into unexpected battles. Keep your eyes peeled; these hidden pockets are bountiful. Your efforts will often be rewarded with Floofs, the currency used for upgrades. By focusing on exploration, you’ll find your skill tree burgeoning quicker than you imagined. Life Filaments are another prize, found at least once in each chapter’s most elusive nooks, and collecting them will permanently upgrade your health.
### Expand These Stories
Stories emphasize every part of South of Midnight—you’ll learn about Hazel’s quest and encounter legendary creatures with storied pasts. To uncover these narratives, be on the lookout for items and notes scattered around each chapter, often in less obvious spots marked by small circles. These snippets add depth to the characters and the broader story, unveiling hidden motivations and enriching the world around you. By taking time to engage with these, every chapter gains an added layer of meaning.
### Upgrade Early and Often
By taking time to explore, you’ll speed up your journey up the skill tree considerably—a wise move given the challenges you’ll encounter. Even at standard difficulty, battles can pack a wallop. Basic Haints are capable of significantly denting your health bar, with mythical creatures proving an even bigger threat. Upgrading isn’t just about strength, though. Often, these steps unlock new perks that can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Imagine unraveling enemies to regain health, complemented by an area effect blast to stagger opponents—upgrading opens up incredible new strategies. Go through the skill tree, and consider what abilities will be most useful for your experience.
### Use Dodges as Attack and Defense
Hazel may not block, but her dodging skills more than compensate. When timed perfectly, a dodge isn’t just a defensive move—it’s a solid counterattack, unleashing a blast of energy to knock back nearby foes while causing them damage. Perfecting your dodge, especially learning the timing of enemy’s attacks, means you’ll deal damage without ever swinging your weapon.
### Use Spells as Interrupts
In South of Midnight, a hit can be brutal, no doubt. Luckily, Hazel’s spell-casting skills allow her to halt enemy attacks in their tracks. Casting a spell, whether it’s a Pull, Push, or a Weave, can break an enemy’s stride, disrupting their attacks. Instead of using your spells the minute they recharge, consider saving one as an emergency backup. If you see an enemy preparing to strike, hit them with a spell to maintain the upper hand.
### Chain Your Spells
For those who wish to keep enemies under control, chaining spells together offers a formidable combination in battle, especially as you acquire upgrades. Envision pulling an enemy closer, hitting them with a Weave spell (soon upgraded to increase damage susceptibility), and then pushing them away for a damage boost while maintaining a safe distance. Top it off with a charged ranged strike, and you’ve got a winning combo. With practice, even battles you once thought difficult become delightfully manageable.
South of Midnight will enchant Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox App for Windows PC, Steam, and cloud on April 8, 2025. However, Premium Edition holders can explore its depths from today, enriched with digital bonuses. Dive into its ominous wonders and become engulfed in a tale as old as the South itself.
