Summary
South of Midnightstands 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.
Theunique setting of the American Bayouand the one-of-a-kind visual style aside,South of Midnightdoesn’t try to reinvent anything, instead offering a simple action-adventure gameplay loop that cycles through exploration, platforming, combat, cutscenes, and boss fights.
Below, we’ll take a look at some games from the past few years that share a similar appeal toSouth of Midnight— with strong narrative depth, a familiar gameplay loop, and a relatively compact scope for the main story.
A sequel toA Plague Tale: Innocence,Requiemis best experienced after the original, but it’s generally bigger, bolder, and better in every regard. Sharing the sameapproach to a character-driven narrative,Requiemis a much darker game thanSouth of Midnight— something to keep in mind after the latter’s lighthearted mood and joyful vibe.
Gameplay-wise,Requiemtrades 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. LikeSouth of Midnight,A Plague Tale: Requiemispart of Xbox Studios, meaning players who enjoy story-focusedaction-adventure games that can be completed in a couple of days can find itavailable on Game Pass.
Another Xbox Studios game where narrative takes center stage,Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2has much to offer for those who enjoyed their time withSouth of Midnight— and it’s alsoavailable on Game Pass. Beyond the stunning visualspowered by Unreal Engine 5,Hellblade 2is a memorable journey driven by story and lifelike characters. The game is also structured around defeating several giant bosses, mirroring the core structure ofSouth of Midnight. Instead of the Deep South, players are transported to a harsh Scandinavian setting, equally compelling andfueled by Norse legends.
With limited freedom, players shouldn’t expect exploration or platforming sections inHellblade 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 ofSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2allows it to becompleted in a single sitting, provided players have enough dedication.
Anyone starting to see a pattern here?The Game Pass model truly allowsdevelopers 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 2probably 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 experiencewith vibrant charactersand a unique visual style — made even more accessiblethrough the Game Pass subscription.
Largely following in the footsteps of its iconic predecessor,Psychonauts 2keeps 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.
A slightly different breed of action-adventure title,Kena: Bridge of Spiritsdoesn’t offer a narrative as focused or cutscene-reliant asSouth of Midnightor many other entries on this list, instead compensating with more freedom to explore andrefined 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.
What makes the game a great fit for those who enjoyedSouth of Midnightis its colorful,vibrant world with a distinct stylereminiscent 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 enjoyKena: Bridge of Spirits, provided they don’t mind a bit of a challenge along the way.
TheUnchartedseries has become nearly synonymous with cinematic, story-driven action-adventure games over the years, and for players seeking an experience in a similar vein toSouth of Midnight,The Lost Legacyis arguably the best fit. This standalone spin-off is less expansive thanUncharted 4: A Thief’s Endand has minimal ties to the earlier games, placing Chloe in the spotlight as a fresh protagonist.
In every other area, though,Uncharted: The Lost Legacyholds 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 gameisn’t available on Xbox consoles.
Currently the latest installment in the mainlineLara Croftseries,Shadow of the Tomb Raiderserves as a fitting conclusion to the trilogy, delivering the ultimate adventure while taking cues from its predecessors and theUnchartedseries. 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.
The game is less action-heavy thanRise 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 Raideralso offers a wealth of optional content and challenges for players looking to spend more time in its mysterious world.
One of the first true exclusives for the PS5,Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartis 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 likeSouth of Midnight,Ratchet & Clankoffers 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.
TheoriginalRatchet and Clankis another easy recommendationfor action-adventure fans, albeit with slightly less impressive visuals. The only potential drawback is that, likeUncharted: The Lost Legacy, theRatchet & Clanktitlesaren’t available on Xbox platforms. Players who discoveredSouth of Midnightthrough Game Pass may want to consider other options from the list for their next adventure.
