South of Midnight Chapter 1 – Complete Guide

South Of Midnight Chapter 1 Collectibles

South of Midnight Chapter 1 has 5 collectibles: 1 Magic Object, 3 Readables, and 1 Storybook. The Magic Object and Storybook are automatically collected as you progress through the story, but you’ll need to locate the 3 Readables yourself. Below is a walkthrough to help you find them.

1/3 – Bunny’s Note to Lily
2/3 – Bunny’s Desk Entry
3/3 – Bunny’s Lounge Chair Entry

1. Find Mementos to Pack

The story kicks off with Hazel collecting important mementos from her home in South of Midnight’s Chapter 1. Your goal is to locate three key items to pack. Start in the lounge, where a doll sits on a sofa chair. Then, head to the kitchen, where a framed picture of Hazel’s mom hangs on the wall. Finally, return to the lounge to find a picture of Hazel’s dad near the exit door. Every item you collect serves as a meaningful nod to Hazel’s past.

These mementos aren’t just pivotal to the chapter’s emotional setup but are considered the first set of Chapter 1 Collectibles, subtly introducing players to the importance of detail in South of Midnight.

2. Pack your Box when Ready

Once the mementos are gathered, pack them neatly into a box marked “Hazel Pack Only,” placed near the TV in the lounge. This triggers a poignant cutscene where Hazel and her mother argue over the impending storm. The tension leads Hazel outside to check on her neighbors, marking the next phase of Night of the Flood.

3. Check on Beaux

Beaux’s house stands out due to the caravan outside and the blaring music. When Hazel knocks, Beaux reassures her he’ll rely on his boat to stay safe. This brief yet meaningful interaction not only adds depth to South of Midnight’s characters but also sets the tone for Hazel’s growing determination amidst the chaos.

4. Check on Mrs. Pearle

Next, Hazel visits Mrs. Pearle, whose home is closest to hers. Inside, a heartfelt conversation unfolds as Mrs. Pearle sympathizes with Hazel’s struggles. However, tragedy soon follows as Hazel witnesses floodwaters sweeping away her house—with her mother still trapped inside. This emotional moment highlights the sheer impact of the Night of the Flood on Hazel’s life.

5. Follow the Mobile Home

Hazel chases the floodwaters to recover what she can of her home. The path ahead is treacherous, filled with ramps, fallen trees, and hazardous waters. Along the way, Hazel encounters a poster of a missing girl, sparking curiosity about broader mysteries within Chapter 1 of South of Midnight. Navigate carefully to continue the chase toward Main Street.

5. Reach Main Street

After crossing the bridge, Hazel reaches Main Street, left deserted and ravaged by the storm. Her climbing skills become vital as she scales debris and obstacles. This segment showcases the game’s immersive mechanics, encouraging exploration while building anticipation for the eerie Flood Mansion ahead.

6. Reach the Flood Mansion

Main Street serves as a chilling reminder of the storm’s devastation. With each climb and careful step, Hazel moves closer to the Flood Mansion, a key location in Night of the Flood. 

The mansion itself looms ominously, shrouded in supernatural intrigue. Upon arrival, Hazel meets Bunny, whose skepticism about Hazel’s visions adds to the tension. A fragile truce forms, and Hazel drifts into a dream-like sequence.

7. Follow the Strands

This surreal segment introduces players to the Guiding Strands, glowing visual trails that illuminate Hazel’s path in Chapter 1. Following the strands reveals haunting scenes of Hazel’s mother calling out to her, entwined with encounters of strange spiderlike creatures. These dreamlike Collectibles are integral to the atmosphere of South of Midnight, blending storytelling with gameplay seamlessly.

8. Escape the Mansion

Waking up in the Flood Mansion, Hazel finds herself locked in a bedroom. She collects her first in-game Readables, a Chapter 1 Collectible titled “Bunny’s Note to Lily.”

1/3 Bunny’s Note to Lily – Readables Collectible

Using nearby scaffolding, Hazel escapes the room and regains her freedom in dramatic fashion.

9. Find a way out of the Office

Once inside the mansion again, Hazel explores an office. Here, players uncover two more Readables Collectibles unique to Chapter 1. The first is Bunny’s Desk Entry, a note perched on a desk.

2/3 Bunny’s Desk Entry – Readables Collectible

The second, titled “Bunny’s Lounge Chair Entry,” is found on a sofa. These Collectibles flesh out the story, offering a deeper look into the mansion’s mysteries.

3/3 Bunny’s Lounge Chair Entry – Readables Collectible

10. Follow The Mysterious Music

Behind a shelf, Hazel discovers a hidden staircase, taking the narrative further into the unsettling world of South of Midnight.

Guided by haunting music, Hazel descends the hidden staircase and finds secret hooks inside an attic. These hooks, another Chapter 1 Collectible, grant Hazel a new tool crucial for challenges to come. The game’s blend of exploration and supernatural elements shines during these moments.

Magic Object: Hooks – Collectible

11. Escape the Attic

Hazel follows the path outside, navigating overgrown platforms to return to the ground. The garden is shrouded in a surreal, otherworldly growth, emphasizing the effects of the Night of the Flood. With unwavering resolve, Hazel presses onward, leading to the climactic final challenge of the chapter.

12. Use the Hooks on the Stigma

The final scene pits Hazel against a monstrous, flower-like creature known as a Stigma. Using her newly acquired hooks, Hazel interacts with the beast to cleanse the environment of its otherworldly corruption. This pivotal moment brings Chapter 1 of South of Midnight full circle, cementing Hazel’s resolve as she locks the mansion gates and vows to continue her journey.