Personal Pick
As part of our main Game of the Year Awards 2025, members of the PC Gamer team are highlighting games they enjoyed this year. New personal picks will be posted daily throughout the month, and can be found here.
It is uncommon that I find the time or energy to replay a game. Typically, replays occur out of necessity, such as work obligations or nostalgia for favorite RPGs. However, I am pleased to report that I played Complusion’s gothic action-adventure game, *South of Midnight*, three times over the last eight months, which speaks to my fondness for it.
This is notably two more times than required for our review of South of Midnight. Initially, I revisited the game at my own pace and later played it a third time for a friend. Each playthrough revealed new, easily overlooked details that deepened my appreciation for Hazel’s journey through the American South.
The charm of the game lies in these subtleties, often missed when casually exploring. Hazel’s fantastical journey feels both magical and relatable, especially evident in Chapter 3. I recognized locations reminiscent of my own experiences and didn’t identify their real-life counterparts until my second playthrough, when I noticed eviction notices throughout an abandoned community.
Each notice bore the logo of the Chickasaw County court, a small locality in northeast Mississippi that is not often referenced outside of its native residents.
Witnessing this detail struck a chord with me, reminiscent of summers spent in Leake and Leflore counties, all bearing a resemblance of neglect and adversity. It serves as a reminder that evictions affect real lives, rooted in generations of poverty.
As I engaged further with *South of Midnight*, I discovered its authenticity unfolded through subtle cues. For instance, during a subsequent chapter, Hazel reunites with neighbors seeking hurricane relief at a local church. A vessel transporting them bore the name of the Cajun Navy, which resonated deeply, especially due to its historical context following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The term “Cajun Navy” refers to a movement of individuals eager to assist one another when governmental support falls short. I appreciated that the developers included such nuances in the gameplay.
Although my roots in Louisiana are minimal, the spirit of the Cajun Navy resonates broadly across the Deep South. I recall my grandfather, who once “borrowed” a neighbor’s boat to rescue trapped individuals at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. This theme of delayed aid is similarly present in *South of Midnight*.
Seeing the makeshift rescue operation depicted in the game reminded me of the resilience throughout southern communities. This level of detail, from weathered structures to handwritten signs, enhances the game’s portrayal of life marked by change.
The thoughtfulness in *South of Midnight* is also apparent in larger components, such as character accents and whimsical references to local culture, particularly when the Catfish speaks. It showcases a tribute to the South’s vibrant mythology and resilience, making it worthy of additional explorations, especially for those familiar with the region.
As for me, I’m contemplating taking another trip into the game, and you might soon hear me discussing topics as varied as turnip greens and Dolly Parton—both deserving of their own stories. More reflections will follow in due time.
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