South of Midnightis a fantastic combination of the platformer and action genres reminiscent of generations past, but one aspect that reminds us that this is a modern video game is the quality of its storytelling.
Part of the reason why South of Midnight’s narrative is so convincing is the stunningly stop-motion-animated cast of characters that star in it. The cast of South of Midnight isn’t packed, meaning that the people we do meet are given enough screen time to be well-developed and enjoyable to watch, but who’s the most entertaining?
8Jolene
Preacher Vs. Gator
While Jolene doesn’t feature as heavily as some of the other characters, she makes up for it by having memorable moments and being the star of one of the best story arcs in the game. Throughout Chapter 5 we learn about the interesting history and relationship between the eccentric preacher and the giant alligator Two-Toed Tom that’s lurking in the flooded farm.
Through flashbacks, Hazel finds out about how Jolene was shaped into the confident woman she is in the story after overcoming the abuse of her father, and also how she may or may not have fed him to the giant alligator in question (she definitely did).
7Huggin' Molly
Spider Redemption Arc
From the first time we see her imposing silhouette during the climax of the first chapter, it’s clear that the monstrous Huggin' Molly is a force to be reckoned with. Throughout all of Chapter 9, we’re built up to believe that the giant spider creature has been kidnapping local children and has even moved on to taking Hazel’s mother.
As Hazel explores her base, her suspicions are confirmed when she finds Lacey all tied up by Molly and seemingly dead. It’s not until Hazel has weakened Mollyafter the boss fightthat we learn that Molly isn’t as antagonistic as she first seemed to be, and she was actually helping the missing children alongside Lacey, and was healing her mother, not harming her.
6Laurant/Rougarou
Looks Great For His Age
When Laurant is first mentioned to Hazel, her immediate reaction lets us know that the two have a history together. It’s revealed that he once had a relationship with her mother but seemingly abandoned the pair out of nowhere.
Throughout Chapter 7, Hazel learns that there’s more to Laurant than she assumed and that Laurant has lived a much longer life than his appearance lets on. Laurant is actuallya mythical transforming creatureknown as a Rougarou that only unveils itself when his emotions are high. The self-sacrifice he displayed to distance himself from Lacey and Hazel to keep them safe, while misplaced, shows his moral integrity.
5Lacey
The Goal At The End
While Lacey, Hazel’s mother, doesn’t get much direct screen time afterthe game’s first chapter, we instead learn the most about her character through the ghostly visions Hazel witnesses every time she finds a lost item from her washed-away house.
Not only is this used as an elegant method to display why the relationship between the mother and daughter became so strained, but it also serves as a way for our hero to better empathize with her mother, while we learn about this fleshed-out character. Also, bonus points for her adorable cheerleading for Hazel during the final boss.
4Roux
Devil On Hazel’s Shoulder
While we hear Roux’s voice repeatedly during every Kooshma’s Hunger chase sequence, it isn’t until the game’s twelfth chapter that we actually get to see the incredibly tall man in person. The enigmatic assistant of Kooshma’s more than makes up for his late introduction by simply oozing charisma and eating the scenery during every second of screen time he has.
Whether it’s his hypnotic dance sequence after meeting Hazel, his cryptic method of communication, or even his charming interaction with Bunny during the game’s final moments, Roux has already earned his role as a potential sequel/spin-off protagonist/anti-hero.
3Bunny
Intergenerational Drama
As soon as we meet Bunny in the game’s first chapter, even if we ignore the clear warning from Lacey, it’s obvious that something isn’t quite right. Hazel’s haughty grandmother always seems to be a couple of steps ahead of her. She also gets plenty of development around the mid-game when we learn about the tragic passing of her infant daughter Cherie.
However, Bunny should be seen as a lesson in how not to deal with grief, as we witness just what lengths she’s willing to go to bring her daughter back from the grave. Bunny is an interesting antagonist in South of Midnight since, while her methods are definitely villainous, her motivations and emotional depth make her easy to understand.
2Catfish
The Aquatic Gossip Of Prospero
Unlike most of the other characters in South of Midnight, Catfish doesn’t get too much of a backstory, he’s just the friendly (if not very nosey) narrator of our tale, willing to give Hazel a helping fin if it doesn’t trouble him too much.
What Catfish lacks in history, he more than makes up for with personality. His interactions with Hazel are some of the most enjoyable moments in the game, and the way the pair communicate perfectly encapsulates South of Midnight’s Southern charm.
1Hazel
Prospero’s Newest Weaver
Getting a video game protagonist right isn’t an easy task. It’s hard to balance not being too much of a blank slate while also not being too overbearing or grating, but Hazel manages to pull off the role of the hero with style.
As much fun as it is to control Hazel in combat and platforming, it’s just as fun to hear her quips, watch her animated expressions, and appreciate her strong-willed personality. While Hazel is tough, we also get to see plenty of her vulnerable side, especially when seeing the relationship between her and Lacey, and it makes her a perfectly human protagonist to follow.
