South of Midnight takes about 10 hours to beat if you follow the story, around 12 hours if you pick up extras along the way, and roughly 17 to 18 hours to find everything, according to player-submitted times on HowLongToBeat as of September 2026. That lines up with the developer’s own target of 10 to 12 hours. Below we break those figures down, cover what adds time, and explain what the PS5 and Switch 2 versions change.
The Numbers
South of Midnight is a linear, story-driven action-adventure, so its length is more predictable than most. Compulsion Games’ official FAQ says the studio was “aiming for a playthrough that lasts between 10 to 12 hours”, and the community data agrees:
| Playstyle | Average time |
|---|---|
| Main story | about 10 hours |
| Main story plus extras | about 12.5 hours |
| Completionist | about 17.5 hours |
Those averages come from more than 900 submitted playthroughs on HowLongToBeat, a solid sample for a single-player game. HowLongToBeat’s own account posted a similar figure in mid-2025: 9.5 hours for the story and 17 for completionists.
Early estimates put the story at 12 to 15 hours and a completionist run at 20 to 25. Both turned out too high. Most players finish in about 10 hours, and even a full clean-up rarely reaches 20.
What Adds Time
Collectibles. The official achievement list tracks three collectible types: Readables, tin flips and Floofs, with an achievement for finding all of each. Health Filaments are scattered through the world too. Most of these sit on optional side paths within each of the game’s chapters, and hunting them down is the bulk of the gap between the story and completionist figures.
Upgrades. The achievement list includes fully upgrading Hazel’s health, her weaving abilities and her companion Crouton. Maxing everything means exploring enough to find the resources, which pushes you toward the completionist figure even if you are not chasing every collectible.
Combat achievements. A handful of achievements ask you to fight in specific ways, such as unravelling Haints without using attacks or pulling off Perfect Dodges at low health. These are usually picked up naturally, but a few may need a deliberate replay of an encounter.
Exploration pace. South of Midnight is built around atmosphere, music and its storybook narrator, and it is easy to slow down to take it in. That alone can put you nearer 12 hours than 10.
For the chapter-by-chapter view of how that time splits up, see our guide to how many chapters South of Midnight has.
What Shortens It
- Stick to the main path. The story is linear, with no branching routes, so skipping side paths is the easiest way to finish in a weekend.
- Use a lower difficulty. Combat encounters take less time and fewer retries on easier settings.
- Leave clean-up for later. Early player reports say a chapter select unlocks once the credits roll, so you can return for missed collectibles instead of combing every corner on your first run.
Platform Notes
South of Midnight launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC in April 2025, on Game Pass from day one. It arrived on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 on March 31, 2026, where PlayStation’s store lists it as PS5 Pro Enhanced and Nintendo sells the Weaver’s Edition. The content is the same everywhere, so the times above apply to every version.
On Steam Deck, Compulsion’s FAQ says the game is Steam Deck Verified and ran above 30 frames per second at medium settings in the studio’s pre-launch testing, and it recommends turning on the 30 FPS frame limiter for consistency. That does not change the length, but it is worth knowing if you plan to play in short handheld sessions.
Compulsion Games itself went independent in August 2026, leaving Xbox with its IP, as covered in our report on Xbox’s studio reshuffle. The game featured in our roundup of the best games of April 2025, and if it turns out not to be for you, here is how to refund games on Xbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is South of Midnight? About 10 hours for the main story, based on player-submitted times on HowLongToBeat. Compulsion Games aimed for 10 to 12 hours.
How long does it take to 100 percent South of Midnight? Roughly 17 to 18 hours on average, covering every collectible and upgrade.
Is South of Midnight longer on PS5 or Switch 2? No. The PS5 and Switch 2 versions released in March 2026 have the same content as the Xbox and PC original.
Does South of Midnight have New Game Plus? Compulsion has not announced a New Game Plus mode. Players report a chapter select after finishing, which is the usual way back for missed collectibles.
Is South of Midnight on Game Pass? It launched on Game Pass on day one in April 2025. Check the Game Pass library for current availability, since titles rotate.