Every good storybook needs a compelling set of characters, andSouth of Midnight’s fairy tale-like narrative is packed to the brim with them. Hazel, a young woman fromthe town of Prospero, takes center stage. After a devastating flood sweeps her mother away, Hazel goes on a journey to find her, and soon discovers that she’s actually got supernatural powers.
As a Weaver, Hazel has the ability to unravel someone’s trauma and heal their deepest sorrows, an ability that quickly comes in handy when Hazel runs into an assortment of colorful characters, creatures, and monsters, many of whom have been affected by magic in one way or another. Crouton is one such magical creature, and he’s arguablySouth of Midnight’s biggest star.
Crouton Is One of South of Midnight’s Biggest Highlights
Crouton is the Epitome of “Little Guy,” And So Much More
First seen in Hazel and her mother’s mobile home atthe start ofSouth of Midnight, Crouton is a patchwork doll that Hazel had when she was a child. A few hours intoSouth of Midnight’s vibrant adventure, Hazel finds Crouton washed ashore. Crouton comes to life in her arms, and he instantly steals the show.
Crouton’s visual design does a great job of encapsulatingSouth of Midnight’s aesthetic, while also peeling back the curtain on Hazel and her life. It says a lot about Hazel’s character and upbringing that her most prized possession as a child was a makeshift toy stitched together with love, rather than something expensive and store-bought.
On top of Crouton’s role in enrichingSouth of Midnight’s story, he also acts as the perfect mascot for the game’s whimsical tone. When Crouton runs, he does so with vibrancy and joy. And though his jumps are little more than hops, he leaps with just as much exuberance. Simply put, Crouton’s animations make the little doll look incredibly cute. These animations go hand-in-hand with Crouton’s audio design, which sees him make adorable little grumbles and coos whenever he’s summoned, and sees him sing to himself while he explores.
Even Crouton’s name serves a purpose. Believed to have originated in France, croutons are a small piece of toasted or fried bread that’s added to soups, salads, or other main dishes. Crouton’s name is a great nod toSouth of Midnight’s Deep South influences, as well as a great reference to the little guy’s role as Hazel’s sidekick.
Crouton Is Small But Mighty
But being cute and adding toSouth of Midnightworld-building aren’t enough to get Crouton into the sidekick hall of fame. To reach the same heights as companions likeStar Wars Jedi’s BD-1orRatchet & Clank’s robotic half,South of Midnight’s Crouton needs to have some practicality when it comes to gameplay.
Thankfully, Crouton has a bevy of abilities players can use in gameplay. During exploration, players can summon Crouton and use him to enter small Burrower holes in the ground, where he can find some handy upgrade materials. Crouton can also be thrown to reach distant or raised secret areas. During combat, Crouton can be used to possess enemies, which forces them to attack their Haint comrades temporarily. With a few upgrades, Crouton’s possession ability is arguably one of the most powerful in the game, turning hulking enemies against one another.
