South of the Circle

Jump Dash RollDerek Johnson

10/10

South of the Circle is the very definition of a masterpiece with its hyper-relevant story, phenomenal voice acting and Oscar-deserving dialogue.

South Of The Circle is a beautiful game that tells a wonderful little story, and is backed up with a genuine effort by the developers to explore cinematic techniques for dramatic effect. When the alternative in video games is typically the equivalent of bland, rote Hollywood productions, South Of The Circle stands out as something different. Different is and always will be interesting. I’m just glad the developers backed the interesting techniques they used with a fascinating story.

Gaming NexusHenry Yu

8.5/10

South of the Circle presents an evocative narrative that will have you thinking about it long after you finish it. A unique minimalist art style paired with an excellent voice cast and soundtrack are the cherry on top of a heartfelt story. Unfortunately, the lack of impact from any of your decisions in addition to a relatively short run time hinder what otherwise is a flawless experience.

ShackNewsMorgan Shaver

8/10

I really enjoyed the Lost-esque flashbacks that Peter has throughout the game, and how beautifully the game transitions between them. I also loved how natural the romance between Peter and Clara felt in developing slowly, over time, and how well the two work together. If you’re looking for a stellar story experience, South of the Circle has it in spades.

Worth PlayingChris "Atom" DeAngelus

8/10

South Of The Circle is a gripping, narrative adventure that puts the player in the middle of a compelling love story set in the midst of the 1960s Cold War.

TechRaptorTyler Chancey

7.5/10

While it is a walking simulator at its core, South of the Circle contains great performances, beautiful visuals, and strong themes and commentary. It is worth experiencing at least once

COGConnectedJaz Sagoo

72/100

Stories can be told in many forms but there is something unique about their implementation in video games. BAFTA winners, State of Play, look to harness this to tell an emotional and personal tale. South of the Circle is a narrative-driven, cinematic experience but will it prove to be another award-worthy release?

WellPlayedJames Wood

7/10

South of the Circle beguiles with its polished presentation and top-notch performances but often forgets to make itself a compelling game in the process.

Gamer EscapeLaura Borrayo

6/10

All in all, I wouldn’t completely label this game as not worth playing, but I do suggest tempering your expectations so that there is minimal disappointment as you progress through the story. That isn’t to say I regret playing it, but I don’t think I would’ve missed much if I hadn’t.

Pure NintendoKira C

5.5/10

South of the Circle reminds me of The Red Lantern and The Long Dark; the three share a wintery setting and a painterly art style. Unfortunately, in terms of

VGChartzLee Mehr

4.5/10

South of the Circle feels akin to frostbite: it's difficult to feel anything for the characters after continued exposure to suffocating game design & mismanaged narrative.There are two key considerations with State of Play's latest title: a deviation from the developer's norm and [...]

StartMenuJon (Jenna) Simpson

Unscored

I really enjoyed my time with South of the Circle. The narrative was compelling, and the relationship between Peter and Clara was genuine and realistic, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop through the flashbacks. And even though his past is the main focus, Peter’s present struggle in the Antarctic was also tense and interesting to follow. The art design, music, and editing all drew me in right from the start, and though I had minor issues with the way South of the Circle handled some of the social issues it tried to tackle, my enjoyment of everything else ensured I saw the game t...