Discover the Best Gamezone Games to Play Right Now and Level Up Your Fun

I still remember that moment when everything clicked in South of Midnight—it was around the six-hour mark, just as Hazel’s world shifted from curious exploration to something far more unsettling. Up until then, I’d been playing in short bursts, sometimes even putting the controller down out of sheer frustration. The combat felt disjointed, almost like it was fighting against the atmosphere rather than flowing with it. But then, something changed. The game’s second half doesn’t just tweak the formula; it rebuilds it from the ground up, aligning exploration and combat in a way that finally makes sense. Hazel’s circumstances grow darker, her surroundings more treacherous, and suddenly, the dire tone of the fights doesn’t feel out of place anymore. It’s a seamless transition, one that transforms the entire experience.

What really turned the tide for me was unlocking the final tiers of Hazel’s skill tree. I’d been hoarding skill points, unsure where to invest them early on, but around that pivotal midpoint, I decided to go all in. And wow, what a difference it made. Her abilities, which once felt situational at best, suddenly became combat essentials. One perk, in particular, stood out: a significantly stronger dodge that didn’t just feel like a minor upgrade—it felt game-changing. I went from barely surviving encounters to weaving through attacks with confidence, almost as if the game had finally decided to trust me with its full toolkit. That single adjustment didn’t just balance the gameplay; it recontextualized everything that came before. My early annoyance, which had been simmering since those first clumsy brawls in the swamp, melted away. Instead of forcing myself through bite-sized sessions, I found myself glued to the screen, blasting through the final six hours in one exhilarating sitting.

It’s rare to see a game course-correct so effectively. Usually, when a title struggles with pacing or mechanics early on, those issues linger. But here, the developers clearly understood the importance of progression—not just in terms of narrative, but in how the player interacts with the world. By the time I’d unlocked around 75% of Hazel’s skills, the combat loop felt refined, almost rhythmic. Fights that once dragged now unfolded with tension and purpose, and I was no longer dreading the next encounter. Instead, I sought them out, eager to test my upgraded toolkit against the game’s more formidable foes. That shift didn’t just make South of Midnight more enjoyable; it made it memorable.

I’ve played my fair share of action-adventure games, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that first impressions can be deceiving. Plenty of titles hook you early, only to fumble later. South of Midnight does the opposite—it asks for a little patience, and in return, it delivers a payoff that’s well worth the investment. I’d estimate that the turning point arrives roughly 60% into the story, though your mileage may vary depending on how quickly you dive into the skill trees. My advice? Don’t sleep on those upgrades. It’s easy to fall into the trap of saving points for “the perfect build,” but in this case, spending them strategically mid-game transforms Hazel from a vulnerable survivor into a capable hunter. The difference isn’t subtle; it’s the difference between struggling through the game and savoring it.

Looking back, I’m glad I stuck with it. Those initial hours, while occasionally tedious, made the eventual empowerment all the more satisfying. It’s a design choice that won’t work for everyone—some players might bounce off before the mechanics fully open up—but for those who persevere, the reward is a tightly crafted, emotionally resonant adventure that only gets better with time. South of Midnight isn’t just one of the best Gamezone games to play right now; it’s a masterclass in how to evolve a player’s relationship with a game world. If you’re on the fence, give it until the halfway point. Trust me, you’ll know when you get there.