Best Games Like South Of Midnight

South of Midnight stands as a reminder of how the gaming industry used to be years ago, when every other release wasn’t a bloated open-world experience or a live-service game demanding hundreds of hours, but a tight, narratively driven journey that players could finish in a couple of days before moving on to something else.

The unique setting of the American Bayou and the one-of-a-kind visual style aside, South of Midnight doesn’t try to reinvent anything, instead offering a simple action-adventure gameplay loop that cycles through exploration, platforming, combat, cutscenes, and boss fights.

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South of Midnight Review

South of Midnight is a gorgeous game with a lot to like, but its combat holds it back from reaching its true potential.

Below, we’ll take a look at some games from the past few years that share a similar appeal to South of Midnight — with strong narrative depth, a familiar gameplay loop, and a relatively compact scope for the main story.

1

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Main Story Length: 17 Hours

Released

October 18, 2022

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence

A sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, Requiem is best experienced after the original, but it’s generally bigger, bolder, and better in every regard. Sharing the same approach to a character-driven narrative, Requiem is a much darker game than South of Midnight — something to keep in mind after the latter’s lighthearted mood and joyful vibe.

Gameplay-wise, Requiem trades platforming sections for stealth and puzzles, encouraging players to avoid direct confrontation, as unlike Hazel, Amicia doesn’t possess supernatural powers and mostly relies on outwitting her enemies. Like South of Midnight, A Plague Tale: Requiem is part of Xbox Studios, meaning players who enjoy story-focused action-adventure games that can be completed in a couple of days can find it available on Game Pass.

2

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Main Story Length: 8 Hours

Systems

Released

May 21, 2024

ESRB

m

Another Xbox Studios game where narrative takes center stage, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 has much to offer for those who enjoyed their time with South of Midnight — and it’s also available on Game Pass. Beyond the stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, Hellblade 2 is a memorable journey driven by story and lifelike characters. The game is also structured around defeating several giant bosses, mirroring the core structure of South of Midnight. Instead of the Deep South, players are transported to a harsh Scandinavian setting, equally compelling and fueled by Norse legends.

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South of Midnight: Chapter List

There are 14 chapters in South of Midnights, each filled with lore.

With limited freedom, players shouldn’t expect exploration or platforming sections in Hellblade 2, but when it comes to realistic, visceral combat, the game excels. The same goes for its unique boss encounters, enhanced by emotionally resonant music. The compact nature of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 allows it to be completed in a single sitting, provided players have enough dedication.

3

Psychonauts 2

Main Story Length: 15 Hours

Released

August 25, 2021

ESRB

T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco

Anyone starting to see a pattern here? The Game Pass model truly allows developers to create the games they want to, becoming something of a home for many of the best narrative-driven action-adventure titles available today. Psychonauts 2 probably wouldn’t exist without that support, and as one of the highest-rated Xbox Game Studios titles in recent years, Double Fine’s game is an easy recommendation for those seeking a story-driven experience with vibrant characters and a unique visual style — made even more accessible through the Game Pass subscription.

Largely following in the footsteps of its iconic predecessor, Psychonauts 2 keeps the winning formula intact, delivering a fun, heartfelt, stylish, and bold adventure filled with gameplay surprises that stretch beyond just action, platforming, or a combination of the two. The game builds on everything that made the original so beloved, enhancing every aspect from narrative depth to level design and unmistakable visual style.

4

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits

Main Story Length: 10 Hours

Released

September 21, 2021

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence

A slightly different breed of action-adventure title, Kena: Bridge of Spirits doesn’t offer a narrative as focused or cutscene-reliant as South of Midnight or many other entries on this list, instead compensating with more freedom to explore and refined gameplay mechanics. Taking cues from the soulslike genre, Kena‘s combat can be surprisingly tough, demanding precise timing and mastery of the available skills and dodges.

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South of Midnight: Burning Questions, Answered

This article answers the most important questions fans may have before the launch of South of Midnight.

What makes the game a great fit for those who enjoyed South of Midnight is its colorful, vibrant world with a distinct style reminiscent of a living animated movie, a wealth of similar platforming sections, a charming heroine as the protagonist, and memorable boss fights. Granted, action-adventure fans are bound to enjoy Kena: Bridge of Spirits, provided they don’t mind a bit of a challenge along the way.

5

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy

Main Story Length: 8 Hours

Systems

Released

August 22, 2017

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence

The Uncharted series has become nearly synonymous with cinematic, story-driven action-adventure games over the years, and for players seeking an experience in a similar vein to South of Midnight, The Lost Legacy is arguably the best fit. This standalone spin-off is less expansive than Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and has minimal ties to the earlier games, placing Chloe in the spotlight as a fresh protagonist.

In every other area, though, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy holds its own against the main entries, offering a vibrant Indian setting, refined platforming, plenty of intricate puzzles, and breathtaking cinematic action sequences throughout. Its shorter length ensures that players won’t have time to get bored, with the tightly packed story typically completed in about eight hours. The only potential drawback is that the game isn’t available on Xbox consoles.

6

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

Main Story Length: 13 Hours

Released

September 14, 2018

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Currently the latest installment in the mainline Lara Croft series, Shadow of the Tomb Raider serves as a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, delivering the ultimate adventure while taking cues from its predecessors and the Uncharted series. Its rich and varied locations, along with expansive and uniquely designed tombs, are a joy to explore, while refined gameplay mechanics and a strong emphasis on cinematic storytelling and character interactions keep players immersed.

Related

South of Midnight Achievement Guide

To get all 40 South of Midnight achievements, be prepared to replay Chapters to complete some of the hardest challenges in the game.

The game is less action-heavy than Rise of the Tomb Raider, leaning more into exploration, puzzle-solving, and platforming — just as a classic adventure should. With a relatively short main story comparable to many other titles on this list, Shadow of the Tomb Raider also offers a wealth of optional content and challenges for players looking to spend more time in its mysterious world.

7

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

Main Story Length: 11 Hours

Platformer

Third-Person Shooter

Systems

Released

June 11, 2021

ESRB

E10+ for Everyone 10+: Alcohol Reference, Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence

One of the first true exclusives for the PS5, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a vibrant and exciting journey across parallel dimensions, so polished and visually stunning it nearly blurs the line between a game and an animated movie. Much like South of Midnight, Ratchet & Clank offers a cinematic narrative with memorable characters, blending action, platforming, and boss fights into a cohesive and enjoyable time. It’s also tightly paced, never overstaying its welcome and keeping the momentum steady throughout.

The original Ratchet and Clank is another easy recommendation for action-adventure fans, albeit with slightly less impressive visuals. The only potential drawback is that, like Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, the Ratchet & Clank titles aren’t available on Xbox platforms. Players who discovered South of Midnight through Game Pass may want to consider other options from the list for their next adventure.

Systems

Released

April 8, 2025

ESRB

rp

Developer(s)

Compulsion Games