In South of Midnight, you step into the shoes of Hazel, a woman who suddenly discovers she possesses a myriad of supernatural abilities. Her journey leads her to find out she’s a Weaver, part of a lineage of magic-wielders dedicated to mending the world by seeking out and eliminating Stigma, sources of intense anguish and chaos.
Hazel’s path as a Weaver inevitably places her amid some deeply grim and heart-wrenching tales. This game doesn’t shy away from exploring heavy topics, ranging from cruelty to animals to the betrayal of relatives, and everything in between. These mature themes are entwined with South of Midnight’s intense boss fights, including the encounter with the Rougarou, whose story serves as a stark warning about the dangers of bottling up emotions.
The tale of the Rougarou traces back to a young boy named Laurent, living with his family near a mill. His father worked there earning scrips, a form of currency only usable within their community. Tragedy struck when Laurent’s mother fell ill, and the mill’s foreman denied financial aid, leaving them to rely on the futile goodwill of others using scrips as payment. As his mother deteriorated, Laurent, overwhelmed by frustration and helplessness, ran off into the woods, yearning to release his pent-up emotions. Yet, his father’s arrival prompted him to stifle those feelings instead.
After his mother’s passing and his father’s subsequent depression, Laurent found himself having to fend for his father and himself, all while ignoring his own grief. His unresolved anger and grief eventually led him to confront the foreman, resulting in a deadly altercation where Laurent’s father was shot. In the throes of distress, Laurent transformed into a Rougarou—a terrifying creature from local folklore, driven by the powerful release of all his suppressed emotions.
Returning to human form later in life, Laurent gravitated towards a group of bootleggers during Prohibition, attempting to lead a semblance of a normal life by continuing to ignore his tumultuous past. But circumstances repeatedly saw his repressed emotions flare up, transforming him back into the Rougarou. Such bouts of instability pushed those he cared for the most, including Hazel and her mother, away.
The struggle to address and integrate one’s past and emotions emerges as a poignant theme within this tale, giving weight to the game’s intense battles and narrative. South of Midnight serves not only as an intriguing gaming experience but also as a narrative beacon urging players to delve deeper, both emotionally and intellectually.
