In the captivating world of “South of Midnight,” players dive into the mysterious adventures of Hazel, a spirited woman who uncovers her latent supernatural talents. Hazel soon discovers her lineage as a Weaver, a group of individuals with magical abilities dedicated to healing the world. Their mission involves identifying and eradicating intense emotional disturbances, referred to as Stigma.
This journey places Hazel amidst some deeply dark and heart-wrenching narratives. The game bravely explores mature topics like animal cruelty and the tragic act of fratricide. Each of these themes is intricately tied to the game’s intense boss battles. The formidable Rougarou exemplifies this, with a backstory illustrating the peril of burying one’s feelings.
Long before Hazel’s tale unfolds, a young boy named Laurent lived in a mill community with his parents. A dedicated mill worker, Laurent’s father was compensated in scrips, a form of currency limited to the mill’s ecosystem. Tragedy struck when Laurent’s mother fell gravely ill, and the mill’s foreman denied them any financial aid for her care. Despite the community’s attempts to help with scrips, they could not find a doctor willing to accept them.
Faced with his mother’s impending death, Laurent fled into the woods, overwhelmed by anger and sorrow. His father caught up with him, but instead of allowing Laurent to voice his pain, he urged his son to suppress it. After his mother’s passing, Laurent’s father succumbed to depression, leaving the young boy to fend for both of them. As time passed, Laurent continued to repress his emotions, denying himself the chance to mourn.
The storm within Laurent brewed until he could contain it no longer. He finally confronted the foreman, accusing him of contributing to his mother’s death. When the foreman reacted with hostility, Laurent’s father intervened, only to be fatally shot in the ensuing chaos. Witnessing his father’s death, Laurent was consumed by despair and shame. In a heart-wrenching moment of raw emotion, his anguish manifested physically, transforming him into a Rougarou—an immense, owl-like creature with glowing eyes.
According to Cajun folklore, a Rougarou is akin to a werewolf. Laurent’s transformation highlights the pain of unresolved emotions. As he matured, Laurent joined a band of bootleggers during Prohibition, striving to bury his past. However, this denial was a ticking time bomb. Even minor provocations could unleash the emotions he tried so hard to hide, reverting him back to his monstrous form. Ironically, his unresolved guilt led him to distance himself from anyone who dared to get close, including Hazel and her mother, Lacey.
The complex tale woven in “South of Midnight” is rich with emotion and character depth. Hazel’s quest allows players to explore profound themes through immersive gameplay, all while unraveling the cautionary tale of characters like the Rougarou. Each moment in the game serves as a reminder of the power and necessity of facing one’s inner demons.
