Imagine a world where every year, a mysterious entity known as the Paintress etches a number onto a distant monolith, and everyone of that age turns to dust. In the city of Lumière, this grim reality looms over every soul, a countdown to extinction that’s been ticking for decades. You step into the boots of Gustave, a member of Expedition 33, a group of brave (or perhaps doomed) volunteers setting out to slay the Paintress and end her deadly ritual.
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This is the haunting premise of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG from French developer Sandfall Interactive that’s as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Clocking in at around 35 hours for the main story with another 20 for side content, this game is a tightly woven tapestry of emotion, strategy, and artistry that’s already cemented itself as one of my favorite RPGs ever. Let’s dive into why this game is a must-play for any gamer who loves a good story and a killer combat system.
A Story That Hits You Right in the Feels
A World Drenched in Melancholy
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 doesn’t pull punches with its narrative. The people of Lumière live under the shadow of the Paintress, a godlike figure who’s been systematically wiping out entire age groups for 67 years. The game’s prologue sets the stage with a gut-wrenching scene as every 34-year-old disintegrates into crimson petals, leaving behind grieving families and a city teetering on the brink of despair. As Expedition 33, you’re not just fighting for glory—you’re fighting to save humanity from extinction. The stakes are sky-high, and the game leans into this heavy premise with a tone that’s equal parts somber and hopeful.
What makes the story so gripping is how it tackles big themes like mortality, grief, and sacrifice. Gustave and his companions—each with their own reasons for joining this suicide mission—grapple with the knowledge that their time is running out. The game doesn’t shy away from showing how grief can consume people, sometimes turning them into shadows of themselves or even hurting those around them. Yet, there’s a persistent thread of hope woven throughout, a belief that even if you fall, your actions might pave the way for a better future. Gustave’s mantra, “for those who come after,” becomes a rallying cry that gave me chills every time I heard it.
Characters You’ll Root For
The heart of Clair Obscur lies in its characters. From Gustave, the stoic inventor haunted by loss, to Maelle, his fiery foster sister who’s determined to prove herself, each Expedition member feels like a real person. The voice acting is phenomenal, with performances that bring out every ounce of emotion in the dialogue. Lines are delivered with a natural cadence, and small gestures—like a hesitant glance or a weary sigh—make these characters feel alive. I found myself tearing up during quiet moments at camp, where the party shares stories about their pasts or teases each other like old friends. These interactions aren’t just fluff; they ground the fantastical story in a very human reality.
The game also sprinkles in some lighter moments to balance the heavy themes. Jesters, these quirky wooden creatures that pop up across the continent, provide comic relief and a strange lens into the world’s mysteries. Whether it’s a goofy beach minigame or a playful jab between party members, these touches keep the story from feeling oppressive. That said, there are times when the narrative veers into melodrama, especially in the later acts where plot twists come fast and furious. A few shifts felt a bit abrupt, but the stellar cast and the story’s earnestness kept me hooked. By the time the credits rolled, I was emotionally drained—in the best way possible.
Combat That Keeps You on Your Toes
A Turn-Based System with a Twist
If you’re a fan of turn-based RPGs like I am, Clair Obscur’s combat is going to blow you away. It takes the classic JRPG formula—think Final Fantasy or Persona—and injects it with real-time mechanics that make every fight feel like a high-stakes dance. Each character has a melee attack to build action points (AP) and a ranged attack that spends them, plus unique skills that require precise timing to maximize their impact. You’re not just selecting moves from a menu; you’re dodging, parrying, and chaining combos with button inputs that demand your full attention.
The parry system is where the combat really shines. Nail the timing on an enemy’s attack, and you’re rewarded with a slow-motion counterattack that feels straight out of Sekiro. Miss it, and you’re eating a devastating blow. Learning enemy patterns can be frustrating at first, especially against tougher bosses, but once you get into the rhythm, it’s incredibly satisfying. Every party member has their own mechanics—like Lune’s ability to “stain” enemies for bonus damage or Gustave’s electrical overcharge attacks—that add layers of strategy. Synergizing these abilities to exploit enemy weaknesses or set up devastating combos is where the game’s depth comes alive.
Customization That Packs a Punch
Customization is another highlight. Each character has a concise skill tree that’s easy to navigate, focusing on a few key abilities that you’ll need to master. But the real game-changer is the Pictos system. These equippable items offer stat boosts and perks that can drastically alter your playstyle, like increasing AP gains from parries or tweaking how status effects work. As you use Pictos, you unlock Lumina, permanent bonuses that let you stack perks for even more power. Configuring the perfect loadout for a tough fight felt like solving a puzzle, and when it paid off, I was grinning like a kid who just beat a final boss.
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The menus for Pictos can be a bit clunky, especially when you’re juggling dozens of options on a crowded screen. But the effort is worth it. Early on, I worried the game might be too easy as I breezed through fights, but the difficulty ramps up beautifully. Later enemies throw in creative attack patterns, shields, and status effects that forced me to rethink my strategies. If you’re clever, you can even “break” the game with overpowered builds, but it feels rewarding rather than cheap. This is one of the best turn-based systems I’ve ever played, and I can’t wait to see how Sandfall builds on it in the future.
| Combat Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Real-Time Inputs | Dodge, parry, and chain combos with precise button presses for maximum impact. |
| Character Mechanics | Unique abilities like Lune’s stains or Gustave’s overcharge add strategic depth. |
| Pictos & Lumina | Equip items for stat boosts and unlock permanent perks to customize your party. |
| Difficulty Curve | Starts forgiving but ramps up with creative enemy patterns and status effects. |
A World That’s a Feast for the Eyes
Exploring a Belle Époque Fantasy
Clair Obscur’s world is a visual masterpiece, built in Unreal Engine 5 with a Belle Époque-inspired aesthetic that’s both familiar and otherworldly. Lumière feels like a warped version of 19th-century Paris, with twisted landmarks like a shattered Eiffel Tower. Beyond the city, you’ll explore ethereal forests, underwater-like coral reefs where fish swim through the air, and grim battlefields littered with the remains of past expeditions. Every location is bursting with detail, from sun-dappled pathways to eerie, greyscale caverns that amplify the story’s tension.
The game’s use of light and shadow—true to its “clair-obscur” (chiaroscuro) namesake—adds depth to both the visuals and themes. Bright, lush vistas contrast with dark, foreboding dungeons, mirroring the narrative’s balance of hope and despair. My only gripe is that some areas are so saturated they can strain your eyes, and the lack of a minimap made it easy to get turned around in complex dungeons. Still, I was constantly stopping to admire the scenery, and the world map, reminiscent of old-school Final Fantasy overworlds, added a charming, retro vibe.
Side Content That’s Worth Your Time
Exploration is mostly linear, with main story dungeons guiding you along a set path. But the world map opens up a treasure trove of optional content. Hidden bosses, secret quests, and goofy minigames (like air hockey with exploding puppets) add roughly 20 hours of gameplay. Finding journals from past expeditions was a highlight, offering poignant glimpses into the fates of those who came before. There’s no quest log, which can feel old-school to a fault, but it encourages you to discover secrets organically. Unlocking new travel methods, like Final Fantasy’s chocobos, lets you revisit areas for even more rewards, making exploration feel like a true adventure.
A Soundtrack That Steals the Show
No great RPG is complete without a killer soundtrack, and Clair Obscur delivers in spades. Composed by Lorien Testard, the score is a breathtaking mix of string quartets, symphonic rock, opera vocals, and atmospheric synths. Battle themes get your blood pumping with driving guitars, while wistful piano melodies set the mood for quieter moments. There’s so much good music that some tracks didn’t get enough time to shine, but every note feels purposeful. The soundtrack is a character in its own right, elevating the game to unforgettable heights. I’m already listening to it on repeat while writing this review.
A Few Brushstrokes Short of Perfection
No game is flawless, and Clair Obscur has a few rough edges. The story’s brevity, while refreshing, can make some late-game twists feel rushed. The Pictos menu needs a UI overhaul, and the lack of a minimap or clear enemy level indicators occasionally led to frustrating moments. Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly on Xbox Series X in performance mode, but I noticed some visual downgrades compared to early trailers. Quality mode looks stunning but sacrifices the 60fps responsiveness that’s crucial for combat. These are minor quibbles in the grand scheme, but they’re worth noting.
Why Clair Obscur Stands Out
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a love letter to classic JRPGs, but it’s so much more than a nostalgic throwback. Sandfall Interactive has crafted a game that feels like it was made with heart and soul, blending influences from Final Fantasy, Persona, and even Dark Souls into something wholly unique. Its combat is a thrilling evolution of turn-based mechanics, its story is a poignant exploration of life and loss, and its world is a visual and auditory feast. At 35 hours for the main story and up to 55 with side content, it’s the perfect length for gamers who want a deep experience without the 100-hour grind.
This is a game that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll. It’s not just about fighting a magical Paintress; it’s about what it means to keep going when the odds are stacked against you. If you’re a fan of RPGs that make you think, feel, and strategize, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an absolute must-play. Sandfall Interactive has burst onto the scene with a debut that’s nothing short of phenomenal, and I’m already counting down the days until their next project.
Our Final Rating: A Brushstroke of Brilliance
After spending over 50 hours with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, I’m ready to put a number on this masterpiece. This game is a rare gem that balances a soul-crushing story, pulse-pounding combat, and a world that’s as haunting as it is beautiful. It’s not without its flaws—clunky menus, occasional pacing hiccups in the story, and the lack of a minimap can be a pain—but these are minor smudges on an otherwise vibrant canvas.
For its innovative take on turn-based combat, blending real-time precision with strategic depth, it earns high marks. The narrative, while sometimes overly dramatic, hits hard with themes of mortality and hope, carried by a stellar cast and a soundtrack that’s pure magic. The Belle Époque-inspired visuals and tight 35-hour main story (with up to 60 for completionists) make it accessible yet rewarding for RPG fans.
Final Score: 9.2/10
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a generational RPG that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the genre’s greats. It’s a must-play for anyone who loves a game that challenges both your skills and your heart. Sandfall Interactive has painted a modern classic, and I’m already itching to return to Lumière for another journey.
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