Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a magical and technically impressive RPG, has quickly become a surprise hit, garnering top ratings and enthusiastic reviews. This engaging title, born from the relatively small development studio Sandfall Interactive as their debut game, offers a rich story, clever gameplay, and an enchanting atmosphere, making it a must-have for fans of complex fantasy and mystery-laden role-playing experiences.
The game’s initial trailer immediately captivated audiences with its creative and thought-provoking setting. Humanity faces near extinction after a major catastrophe, forcing survivors to seek refuge in the city of Lumière. However, even within the city walls, safety remains elusive. A massive monolith looms across the sea on the old continent, before which lies a seemingly dormant, cloaked figure known as the Painter. Each year, the Painter awakens, inscribing a number upon the monolith. Shortly after, all individuals who have reached that age perish.
The game’s narrative opens with the number changing from 34 to 33. The protagonist, Gustave, witnesses the agonizing death of his beloved Sophie, who is one year older than the new number. She is consumed by the Painter’s curse, leaving Gustave devastated and questioning the true nature of this mysterious phenomenon. Is it truly a curse, or is there a deeper, more complex reason behind it?
Motivated by grief and a desire for answers, Gustave joins Expedition 33. Each year, an expedition group braves the dangers of the old continent, seeking to unravel the Painter’s secrets and halt her devastating power. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as the countdown dwindles.
Gustave is accompanied by his determined younger sister, Maelle, who is eager to make a difference despite her age. Other party members include Lune, an inquisitive and resourceful adventurer, Sciel, an optimist and beacon of hope, and various other individuals driven by a mix of adventure and desperation.
The old continent is fraught with peril, including encounters with deadly creatures known as Nevrons. These beings range from colossal stone constructs to unsettling spectral entities. While some Nevrons prove hostile, others offer assistance and harbor peaceful intentions. The true nature of these creatures and their relationship with the Painter remains shrouded in mystery.
Perhaps the greatest threat lies in the presence of an enigmatic old man who possesses the power to decimate entire expeditions with a single act. He seems immune to the Painter’s curse, raising further questions about his motives and origins. The staggering number of failed expeditions further underscores the dangers that await.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 adeptly answers most of the questions that arise throughout the story, fueling the player’s desire to uncover the truth. Certain aspects are left open to interpretation, striking a balance between concrete revelations and individual player speculation.
Beyond the intricate mysteries, the game’s strength lies in its compelling characters. Each member of Expedition 33 is thoughtfully developed, exhibiting multifaceted personalities and experiencing a wide spectrum of emotions. The superb staging enhances the emotional impact, fostering empathy and a sense of connection with the characters.
Initially, Gustave appears confident, hoping to make a significant contribution to the expedition. However, the horrors of the continent quickly lead him into despair, survivor’s guilt, and fear. His resolve is reignited by a determination to protect his sister.
The dialogues are engaging and authentic, creating the impression of genuine conversations between real people. Although the lip-syncing is occasionally lacking, the characters’ expressive faces and emotional delivery overshadow this minor imperfection.
Maelle, Gustave’s sister, initially appears reserved, but she possesses a kind heart and is deeply affected by the expedition’s losses. Haunted by nightmares, she prioritizes the safety of her friends and gradually emerges as a central figure in the story.
Lune, with her exceptional abilities, inquisitive mind, and unwavering determination, is the most enigmatic member of the group. Despite witnessing the despair of others, she remains steadfast in her journey. However, she struggles to accept the group’s unpreparedness for the challenges they face.
As the party expands, new personalities enrich the dynamic. The well-written dialogues allow players to build relationships with each character, understand their motivations, and develop a strong desire for their survival.
Gameplay in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 blends classic RPG elements such as a freely explorable world, gripping cutscenes, character development, item acquisition, and turn-based battles.
Encounters with enemies transition into a separate battle screen. Players utilize normal attacks, powerful abilities, and items to overcome diverse monsters. Understanding enemy weaknesses and exploiting them strategically is crucial for success.
The battles are an engaging combination of turn-based tactics and quick-time events. Skillful use of skills, buffs, and debuffs is essential. Players can also aim freely to target specific weak points, adding another layer of strategic depth.
The addition of quick-time events, such as dodging, parrying, and strengthening attacks, injects excitement and variety into the otherwise static turn-based gameplay. Perfect dodges can allow players to complete fights unscathed. Moreover, perfect parries can trigger powerful counterattacks from the entire party, potentially turning the tide of battle.
Each character brings unique strengths to the battlefield. Gustave can build up his overcharge meter for devastating attacks, mark enemies to increase damage from subsequent attacks, and provide buffs to his allies.
Lune utilizes elemental attacks to slow down, ignite, or paralyze enemies. Maelle adopts various combat stances to either reduce damage taken, increase damage output, or unleash especially potent attacks.
Players can enhance their characters by leveling up their abilities, acquiring weapons and improving them, and upgrading their attributes. The Pictos system grants passive bonuses, such as increased damage against burning enemies or strong bonuses triggered by specific abilities.
The combat system can initially feel overwhelming, especially for those unfamiliar with turn-based games such as Final Fantasy or Baldur’s Gate. Mastering the art of reacting to enemy attack patterns and combining abilities to maximize damage requires practice. However, the satisfying and engaging nature of the battles ensures that they remain enjoyable. The variety of enemy types in each area further adds to the excitement.
The world of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is meticulously designed, showcasing careful attention to detail. From a magical fantasy realm with glowing trees to an underwater environment and a rugged mountain range offering glimpses of an ancient civilization, each area is visually stunning.
The world is divided into smaller regions connected by an overworld map, viewed from a bird’s-eye perspective. This allows players to select their next objectives. Players can also set up camp, rest, customize their weapons, and converse with their companions, similar to Baldur’s Gate 3.
Expedition flags serve as respite points in exploration areas. These flags incorporate Soulslike mechanics, such as refilling flasks and respawning enemies.
Boss battles are a highlight, demanding careful strategy and execution to avoid defeat, especially on higher difficulty levels.
While the level design is somewhat convoluted, it remains manageable. Occasionally, players may find themselves running in circles while searching for treasures or special enemies.
However, the game motivates exploration by rewarding players with secrets and unfolding the world gradually. The varied journey makes the occasional frustrating moments forgivable.
On the PlayStation 5 Pro, the game runs smoothly. The visuals are beautiful, showcasing the strengths of Unreal Engine 5 in the detailed character models, fantastic lighting, rich colors, and impressive vistas.
The soundtrack is exceptional and features well-known voice actors such as Jennifer English, Andy Serkis, Charlie Cox, and Ben Starr.
The lack of lip-syncing during dialogues is a minor drawback. However, the characters’ expressive faces and emotional delivery compensate for this imperfection.
The characters are often covered in dirt, blood, and tears, adding to the realism and rawness of the scenes. Occasional glitches, such as characters getting stuck on objects or twitching during jumps, are noticeable.
These flaws serve as reminders that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not a AAA title but rather the product of a passionate and dedicated small team. The vision, world, story, and characters ultimately overshadow these minor imperfections.
The wonderful soundtrack contributes greatly to the game’s atmosphere, immersing players in its mood.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 achieves something that many larger developers and publishers fail to do: creating an experience that will remain with players for years to come.
The immersive world, captivating characters, and unexpected revelations make it difficult to resist the urge to delve deeper into the game. While it may not compete directly with titans like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Final Fantasy VII, it comes remarkably close.
The game innovatively combines elements from tactical RPGs, adventure games, and open-world games, creating its own unique genre. It is highly recommended for those seeking creative and unusual ideas, especially in a gaming landscape that often lacks originality.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on Steam for $49.99, making it a reasonably priced title. Game Pass subscribers can even play it for free. Completing only the main story will provide around 30 hours of gameplay, offering a satisfying and worthwhile experience.
