Thriving in Darkness: 6 Essential Tips for Navigating the Fantastical World of South of Midnight

South of Midnight is ready to whisk you away to a world shaped by dark fantasy and the haunting lore of America’s South. Arriving on April 8, the game is not just another fairytale—its narratives and challenges are anything but simple. Dive into this epic on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, and cloud services, all available through Game Pass. Those eager to jump in can start playing now with the Premium Edition thanks to Xbox Play Anywhere, bringing you the game across consoles, PCs, and the cloud with full entitlements and save transfers. To help you start your adventure, we’ve compiled six tips that will enhance your experience both in exploration and combat.

In South of Midnight, the story tracks the journey of Hazel, who suddenly finds herself with the magical ability of Weaving after a supernatural flood takes her mother. Your task? Navigate a skewed version of the South to uncover her mother’s fate and unravel the mystery of your newfound powers. On this quest, you’ll face Haints—twisted beings shaped by the world’s sorrow—and your path will lead you to heal Mythical Creatures, figures from actual folklore, brought to life by Compulsion Games.

For those who opted for the Premium Edition, you can dive into the game today ahead of its official April launch. To set you off on the right foot, here are some handy tricks to make the most of your exploration and combat experience:

### Look Everywhere

As you wander through South of Midnight’s vibrant chapters, your Guiding Strand—a feature of magical threads—could easily shepherd you to your next objective. But there’s so much more waiting to be found. Each locale is rich with hidden nooks and crannies requiring skillful platforming, spell-casting, or even combat encounters you might otherwise miss. Keeping your eyes peeled will uncover these secrets.

Your efforts in meticulous exploration typically reward you with Floofs, the game’s currency for upgrades—something we highly recommend you hunt for. This diligent exploration allows quicker skill tree upgrades compared to just rushing from objective to objective. While you’re at it, be on the lookout for Life Filaments often hidden away in chapters; gathering three earns you a permanent health boost.

### Expand These Stories

The narrative depth of South of Midnight extends far beyond Hazel’s quest to reunite with her mother or the backstories of Mythical Creatures you discover. Dig deeper by scouting each chapter for scattered notes and items, often tucked away in less obvious places.

These should not be dismissed as simple world-building artifacts. They enrich the core quest, revealing hidden motivations and backstories that enhance your understanding of individual characters and the larger tale being told.

### Upgrade Early and Often

As previously mentioned, venturing far and wide to gather Floofs will fast-track your ability to climb the upgrade tree. This comes in exceptionally handy when navigating the game’s increasingly challenging combat scenarios, where even standard Haints can pose a serious threat.

Upgrades offer you strategic perks beyond mere stat boosts. Consider the option to make Unraveling enemies not just a health recuperation tactic, but also a means to unleash an area-of-effect blast that can send nearby foes reeling. Or perhaps a double-dodge, essential in outmaneuvering ranged projectile attacks, will closely suit your style. Strategically explore the upgrade options and choose those that address your specific challenges.

### Use Dodges as Attack and Defense

While Hazel may lack a blocking mechanism, her dodge skill more than compensates. Each dodge, imbued with short invulnerability, can be executed in any direction. Perfect timing results in a “Perfect Dodge,” releasing a damaging blast that stuns nearby adversaries.

Learning enemy attack patterns and timing will eventually allow you to inflict almost as much damage defensively as in actual combat.

### Use Spells as Interrupts

Combat in South of Midnight can swiftly become overwhelming, but Hazel’s dodge isn’t your sole recourse. Often, spells can act as your best defense. A well-timed spell can completely disrupt enemy attacks, stopping them in their tracks.

While it might be tempting to cast spells willy-nilly as they become available, keeping one in reserve ensures you’re never caught off-guard when an attack interruption is urgently needed.

### Chain Your Spells

Mastering spell combinations can lock down foes, making battles smoother and quicker. This tactic becomes especially potent with a few strategic upgrades to your name.

Imagine pulling an enemy close with additional Weave effects (upgraded to amplify subsequent damage taken), then hitting them with another Weave to prolong their immobility, before a forceful Push puts distance between you, paving the way for a ranged assault that seals their fate.

With practice, even the most daunting adversaries from the early game become manageable, going down in one seamless combo—a truly satisfying experience.

South of Midnight debuts April 8, 2025, across Xbox Series X|S, PC through Xbox App, Steam, and cloud, freely accessible on Game Pass. Opt for the Premium Edition for immediate access and digital extras like an artbook, soundtrack by Olivier Deriviere, and much more. Dive into a uniquely Southern Gothic experience from the imaginative minds behind Contrast and We Happy Few. As Hazel, navigate this vivid landscape filled with mythical beings and ancient stories, exploring both supernatural and personal depths in a bid to mend her world and herself.