South of the Circle

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Hardcore Gamer
    Jul 28, 2022
    60
    With a short run time, South of the Circle isn’t meant to be for someone looking to stretch their gaming dollar. It’s meant to be an expression, a mature tale rife with grown-up themes. This is something that the gaming scene could always use, especially as the existing audience grows older, and newer gamers have their own titles tailored to them. State of Play created an interesting story, something that does pull the player through to the end. Despite the graphical hiccups, it would have been an easy recommendation. How the actual interactive elements shakes out at the end, though, drop kicks the experience in the teeth. If it was a sub $5 price, it would be worth checking out, as it’s intriguing even when it falters. Anything more than that will likely leave the player cold.
  2. New Game Network
    Aug 9, 2022
    55
    South of the Circle is a minimalistic game that tells an initially engaging, but ultimately underwhelming story. And beyond the narrative, there's not much here to recommend.
  3. Push Square
    Aug 23, 2022
    50
    To be fair, the game is visually appealing, with a minimalistic art style that manages to convey the feeling of the time. It's an interesting experience and a unique premise (how many other Cold War disaster games are you going to play this year?), but ultimately that can't save the title from falling a bit flat.

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

User Reviews

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User Score
3.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 5 out of 8
  1. Ghalandar
    Oct 10, 2022
    9
    South of the Circle is a great storytelling adventure where you're required to deal with a very tough situation, with both political andSouth of the Circle is a great storytelling adventure where you're required to deal with a very tough situation, with both political and personal consequences. From exploring the fear of being alone in an unknown place surrounded by enemies, to reevaluating your past decisions in your personal life, South of the Circle feels like a well written film.… Full Review »
  2. arcode
    Oct 11, 2022
    10
    With an outstanding artistic section, the narrative-adventure South of the Circle gets your attention and, from the beginning of the game,With an outstanding artistic section, the narrative-adventure South of the Circle gets your attention and, from the beginning of the game, makes you think about the consequences of your decisions. The rich story and the touching soundtrack that accompanies it, make it one of the best game-thrillers ever released.… Full Review »
  3. Acedia23x
    Sep 16, 2022
    3
    The game has a nice art style and a good artistic presentation The voice acting is good as well. Unfortunately the gameplay is almostThe game has a nice art style and a good artistic presentation The voice acting is good as well. Unfortunately the gameplay is almost non-existent, in some instances the game plays itself. The story is well presented but filled with a ton of 1960s cliches. And the game is not subtle about it either. It reemphasizes the same points all over again, without providing a balanced view on certain cultural aspects of that era. This is unfortunate because the game has a good start, but looses it with its plot fast. I sadly cannot recommend… Full Review »
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