Stop-Motion Misses the Mark

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One captivating game from 2025 that stands out is South of Midnight, whose aesthetic mirrors a high-end animated movie, with distinct traces of stop-motion animation. Each frame is a work of art, regardless of perspective, which is remarkable considering its smooth performance. Many other games could benefit from emulating its visual style.

Despite attempts to incorporate the stop-motion technique, the implementation in South of Midnight falls short of expectations. Previews had hyped the game’s use of stop-motion animation, suggesting it would significantly impact the game or contribute to its overall look. Unfortunately, the game fails to capitalize on this promising aspect, limiting the playful style to a single cutscene and some character animations.

South of Midnight Should Have Leaned Into Stop-Motion More

In the initial segment, the stage is elegantly set for “South of Midnight,” presenting gamers with Hazel in a charming yet eerie manner through a stop-motion prologue. The scene’s modern aesthetic combined with a haunting ambiance makes it reminiscent of “Coraline,” another contemporary fantasy that shares similar motifs such as weaving, family relationships, and the enigmatic presence of an alternate world.

Following this initial captivating introduction, the presentation of “South of Midnight” remains fairly conventional, with only a few animations that occasionally appear more like technical glitches than intentional artistic decisions. The stop-motion effect doesn’t seem to be executed effectively, which is unfortunate because while the game is visually stunning, incorporating a stop-motion style could have significantly enhanced its visual appeal and helped “South of Midnight” distinguish itself from other similar games.

In a different approach, similar to the film “Coraline”, where the unsettling aspects of the narrative were depicted in that style, could have been advantageous for the game. This method would cater to players who find stop-motion animation uncomfortable while still maintaining an immersive experience. Moreover, alternating between these two styles scene by scene would enhance the emotional depth of the characters already known for their expressiveness.

Stop Motion Could Have Made for Some Unforgettable Mechanics

In contrast to the storyline of Coraline, the video game South of Midnight offers a unique edge: players control the pacing of the narrative, enabling interactive elements. To enhance its appeal further, South of Midnight could learn from Superhot by implementing a time mechanic where action progresses only when the character takes a step. By adopting a stop-motion approach that links each frame’s actions to player inputs, it could revolutionize the game’s combat system, converting it into a semi-turn-based format that fosters strategic play.

The game’s puzzle-solving element is heavily dependent on timing, and incorporating stop-motion could have amplified this aspect even further. For instance, a puzzle might have asked Hazel to adjust objects, but the challenge would be for players to determine which frames to pause at or perhaps even arrange the objects in such a way that a specific sequence unfolds. Integrating stop-motion into the mechanics would have been an innovative approach, setting this game apart from similar titles like Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

The game titled “South of Midnight” is indeed visually stunning, with much to admire. Yet, it could have leveraged stop-motion more significantly, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and game mechanics. By not maximizing this technique, the game passes up an opportunity to innovate in a way seldom seen in action platformers.

In the days ahead, Compulsion Games should emphasize even more what makes their studio distinct, leveraging these insights to craft an exceptional, indelible journey. The game “South of Midnight” offers a poignant narrative about loss and forgiveness, and while it’s already a decent platformer, there was room for more innovation. Regardless of where the team decides to venture with their next project, there are countless other stories that could emerge from the swamps, and a sequel would benefit greatly by expanding upon “South of Midnight‘s” promising foundation.

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2025-04-15 22:34