South of the Circle
- August 3, 2022
- State of Play Games
- 4h median play time
South of the Circle is a great narrative experience, with a lovely visual style that delivers a heartfelt story in an impactful way.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"South of the Circle" is a narrative-driven adventure game set in the Cold War era. Players step into the role of a Cambridge academic who finds himself stranded in the Antarctic, where he reflects on his past and makes decisions that impact his future. The game combines stunning hand-drawn graphics with a deep, emotional story to create an immersive and thought-provoking experience.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Mobile Platform
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Well-developed and researched story that captivates players and keeps them engaged.
- Beautiful artistic approach with rotoscoping and minimalist design choices that enhance the overall experience.
- Outstanding voice acting and a masterful soundtrack that elevate the emotional impact of the narrative.
- Gameplay is minimal, often feeling more like an interactive movie than a traditional game, with choices that lack significant consequences.
- Pacing issues and a lengthy runtime that could benefit from being trimmed for a more engaging experience.
- The ending is unsatisfying and leaves many players feeling confused or disappointed, undermining the emotional investment built throughout the game.
- story340 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "South of the Circle" is widely praised for its well-developed narrative, engaging characters, and emotional depth, often described as a cinematic experience rather than a traditional game. While many players appreciate the intricate storytelling and thematic exploration of love, academia, and the Cold War, some express disappointment over the limited impact of player choices on the narrative outcome, leading to a sense of a predetermined path. Overall, the game is recommended for those seeking a rich, story-driven experience, despite its gameplay limitations.
“The story is written in a way that I couldn't stop; I wanted to see what happens next!”
“The majority of the story is so good: engrossing, tightly and subtly written, full of characters you root for and hate and come to love.”
“South of the Circle is an emotional narrative adventure with a deep, mature cinematic story.”
“The story is uninteresting and its gameplay sucks.”
“However, it did not seem like my choices that I made in the story had an impact on the trajectory or ending of the game, which was a big disappointment.”
“The game is very story rich and emotional, too bad none of your choices matter, whatever you pick will be made into a set path that was met with a very disappointing end.”
- graphics84 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful, minimalist art style that effectively complements the narrative, creating a cinematic experience reminiscent of classic cartoons. While the visuals are captivating and well-executed, some reviewers noted issues such as character clipping and a lack of emotional expression in character faces. Overall, the game's unique aesthetic, combined with high-quality voice acting and music, enhances its storytelling, making it a visually appealing experience despite some minor technical flaws.
“It is a beautiful game; the minimalist art style was competently used to give us an inoffensive 3D picture and convey the story well.”
“The graphics are captivating, with their stylized, flat, thirties-style visuals (WPA tourist posters came to mind).”
“The game has a beautiful coherent art style, and a soundtrack of very high quality, hitting the precise notes to enhance the story at any moment.”
“My only shortcomings with the presentation is a large number of instances where characters clip uncomely through the terrain and objects, and the faces of the characters were, while loyal to the art style, a bit too faint and don't convey emotions very well.”
“The only thing I didn’t love about the graphics was that when entering room interiors, the outside borders of the scene (beyond the walls of the room) were just solid black.”
“Would recommend but also with a caveat that the graphics are unique but weird, and a stereotypical love story.”
- music76 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in "South of the Circle" is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the narrative, with many reviewers highlighting the beautiful soundtrack and its seamless integration with the game's atmosphere. The score is described as cinematic and masterfully composed, effectively supporting the story's themes and character development. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout elements of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
“Beautiful art direction, terrific voice acting, masterful soundtrack, extremely well constructed narrative.”
“The score beautifully supported and uplifted the game, and you can tell that a lot of love was put into making sure the music was an accurate reflection of the scale and scope of the game.”
“The art style, music, and voice acting are all top notch, and the ways in which flashbacks are interspersed throughout the main story is one of the game's most charming aspects.”
“Although story, music and visuals are okay, it does not count as a game in my opinion.”
“Nice little cinematic game with a great story and a phenomenal soundtrack; gameplay is very lacking though.”
“I loved the narration, the presentation, the music and the story but those last 2 minutes really left a sour taste, not because it did not give me what I wanted but because it felt so rushed, muddled and overall unfulfilling.”
- gameplay65 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "South of the Circle" is largely criticized for being minimal and simplistic, often described as a walking simulator with limited interaction, primarily consisting of dialogue choices and basic navigation. While the narrative and artistic elements receive praise, many reviewers feel that the lack of substantial gameplay mechanics detracts from the overall experience, making it more akin to a cinematic experience than a traditional game. Overall, players seeking engaging gameplay may find it lacking, though those interested in narrative-driven experiences might still enjoy it.
“The gameplay is light and the art direction is simplistic but is used well, especially in transitions.”
“After Stray, South of the Circle was my second surprise of the summer: excellent storyline, very gripping from start to finish, superb artistic pace... easy gameplay to learn (given the type of game, it's not very difficult).”
“Don't expect too much in the way of game mechanics; what South of the Circle is, is a wonderfully acted and compelling Cold War thriller with beautiful artwork/design.”
“The gameplay consists of watching cutscenes, occasionally holding forwards, and making dialogue choices.”
“If the story were good, I would be fine with this almost nonexistent and tedious gameplay, but I really just don’t find myself caring at all about what is happening.”
“Choices don't seem to matter and the gameplay as such is push a button, so it's a book/walking sim.”
- emotional24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its compelling storytelling, beautiful visuals, and evocative music, which create a captivating atmosphere that resonates with players. Many reviewers express a strong emotional investment in the characters and narrative, highlighting moments of heartbreak and depth. However, some criticism arises regarding the lack of meaningful choices, which diminishes the emotional impact for certain players, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience.
“I really cared and was emotionally invested in these characters.”
“I really liked how the story touched me several times, especially by the end, when the conflict welled up between the main character's past and present.”
“A beautiful, emotional experience.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its impressive graphics, haunting music, and immersive settings, particularly in evoking feelings of isolation and existential dread. Players appreciate the meticulous attention to detail, such as realistic environmental effects and strong voice acting, which collectively enhance the narrative experience. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay choices, the overall ambiance remains a standout feature that captivates and engages players.
“The graphics are very impressive and beautiful, the music is fantastic and perfectly adapts to the atmosphere of the game.”
“A meticulous, understated, and memorable little experience with excellent voice acting, atmospheric set design, and a solid soundtrack as the glue.”
“Music elevated moments, drawing out the mood expertly in a way that viscerally moved me – particularly in how it set the atmosphere of the vast, lonely landscape of Antarctica and this existential, heavy hopelessness that one feels alone while traversing it.”
“Things such as tracks forming in the snow as you walk or drive over it, or the snowflakes blowing in the wind, both helped to create a tangible sense of atmosphere that would have come over far less immersively had they been absent.”
“While the ending was a disappointment, it did not detract from the visceral atmosphere this game portrayed, so my recommendation remains strong if this sort of game interests you.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is highlighted by its impressive voice acting and strong writing, which enhance the storytelling experience despite a linear narrative and limited branching choices. The art direction complements the performances well, creating a visually appealing backdrop that supports the minimal gameplay. Overall, while the game excels in its artistic and vocal elements, it may not offer extensive gameplay variety.
“The lightly textured art still creates excellent backdrops for the very minimal gameplay - a mixture of walking forward and dialogue QTEs, but what really carries 'South of the Circle' are some of the best voice performances I've heard in a game.”
“Very well paced and well written story with a simplistic yet striking art style that allows for the voice acting to stand out, as it deserves to with a fantastic performance from the entire cast.”
“This game has fantastic writing, performances, and music, but it is all totally eclipsed by the game's stellar art direction.”
- stability7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant glitches, such as visual bugs, character control issues, and abrupt story endings. However, others noted that while there were minor animation and model issues, these did not severely impact the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the game appears to have a range of stability experiences, from problematic to relatively smooth.
“Lots of visual glitches and poor animations, plus the story ended in an abrupt, open-ended manner.”
“I had several glitches where the next story wouldn't load and my character just walked back to where he had begun without me having any control and I was really confused by the plot where the female character just randomly started storming off and yelling... none of my choices mattered in the end.”
“- buggy terrain (items floating in the air, clipping through rocks)”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game has very low replayability, often described as a short, interactive movie lasting around 3-5 hours, with minimal interactivity and little incentive to replay. However, players appreciate the memorable story and impressive setting.
“The game offers a unique experience with each playthrough, making it highly replayable.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that no two runs are the same, enhancing its replayability.”
“With multiple endings and different character paths, this game invites players to return for new experiences.”
“It's short, with very little interactivity, and zero replay value.”
“Its replayability is very low, but the story it told was memorable and the setting was captured amazingly.”
“Sadly, I don't think this game has much replayability, so it's kind of a 3-4 hour long 'interactive movie'.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as tedious and slow, particularly in the early stages. However, as players become more engaged with the story, the grind becomes less noticeable and more tolerable.
“If the story were good, I would be fine with this almost nonexistent and tedious gameplay, but I really just don’t find myself caring at all about what is happening.”
“Starts off feeling very slow (even for a purely narrative game), and I was genuinely worried that it might be too tedious to play.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers express enthusiasm for the character development, highlighting the engaging character design and distinct personalities that enhance the overall gaming experience. The physical features of the environment also contribute to the depth of the characters, making the gameplay more immersive.
“The character design, personalities, and physical features of the environment make me thrilled to play and experience such a game.”
“The depth of character development in this game is truly impressive; each character feels unique and evolves in meaningful ways.”
“I love how the characters grow throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and engaging.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is perceived as less effective than in similar titles, such as Red Alert, with users noting that while it attempts to be evil and comedic, it ultimately falls short of delivering genuine laughs.
