Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the most striking RPGs in recent memory, a game that manages to be both deeply artistic and mechanically sharp. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, this debut title blends the haunting beauty of French surrealism with the complexity of modern RPG design. Set in a dying world where the mysterious Paintress erases people from existence based on their age, the game follows Gustave and a group of survivors known as Expedition 33 as they race to stop the next erasure and challenge fate itself.
The narrative is refreshingly mature. Expedition 33 centers on characters in their 30s, people who have lived, lost, and carry scars. This gives the game emotional weight, especially as the plot begins to unravel. It's hard to go into the story without spoiling it, which I won’t do. Within the first 30 minutes of the game, it's hard not to feel emotionally invested. No other game has ever made me shed a tear this quickly.
Combat is where Clair Obscur truly sets itself apart. It combines classic turn-based structure with real-time elements, requiring players to parry, dodge, and land timed hits with precision. The turn-based combat feels closer to Paper Mario than Final Fantasy, but with a darker, higher-stakes intensity. This system demands skill and quick reflexes, especially in the game’s punishing boss battles. Customization is deep, with a range of passive perks (Pictos), active abilities (Luminas), and character synergies that encourage experimentation. Luckily, there is a story mode for people who just want to experience the narrative without the punishing combat.
Visually, the game is breathtaking. Its painterly art direction evokes a world caught between dream and nightmare, full of crumbling architecture, flowing fabrics, and strange organic shapes that look pulled from a surrealist canvas. The lighting plays a thematic role, reinforcing the tension between light and darkness, presence and absence, which is why the game is called Clair Obscur (contrast between light and dark). This is paired with a sweeping, melancholic score by Lorien Testard, whose work has been heavily inspired by NieR: Automata. Voice acting is performed by the talented Alice Duport-Percier and Victor Borba, both well known in their respective musical categories. The lyrics are also heavily inspired by the game’s story, and it’s recommended to look up the translations of most songs.
Still, Expedition 33 isn’t flawless. Navigation can be frustrating, with linear zones that sometimes lack clear direction. There’s no mini-map in zones, and several players have voiced confusion during key exploration segments. Visually, some environments reuse assets a bit too frequently, and occasional technical bugs such as lip-sync issues or pop-in can break immersion. Fortunately, none of these problems are significant enough to overshadow the overall experience.
In the end, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an excellent, beautiful debut from a new studio unafraid to take creative risks. It reinvents turn-based RPGs in both gameplay and narrative, and it delivers a memorable, emotional story. It’s not just another turn-based RPG, it’s a piece of interactive art and a standout contender for Game of the Year.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must buy, and I recommend everyone to try it, even if you don’t usually enjoy turn-based combat. The game is worth your time.
