For as many RPGs as I’ve played over the years, I’m not necessarily a fan of this genre. Certainly there are classics like Final Fantasy VII and remakes, various Pokemon games, Fire Emblems and more. But even so, there’s always something else that will drive players forward, as it’s part of the core experience in turn-based combat.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those games. That turn-based combat is exciting with real-time elements, but the story is packed with lore, engaging characters and high stakes. Plus, the world is gorgeous, with vibrant details and stunning views.
Sandfall Interactive’s smaller French studio is one of the best RPG experiences in recent memory and is a true testament to the power of clever and creative ideas, as it stands the test of time.
A lifelong expedition
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is initially set in the town of Lumiere, but set in a wider world named villain, counting down singular numbers representing the decline in age that people can reach before they reach. Every year, surrounding towns challenge adventurers through their annual expeditions to end this way of life.
Players control the protagonist, Goodzerb, played by Charlie Cox, but the playable protagonist’s party grows to a total of 6 through a storyline of 30-35 hours. Above all, the story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is drenched with lore and finer details that expand the world and its characters in any turn. The story is certainly emotionally recharged and partially intense, but ultimately you want to dig deeper and pay attention, as either the dialogue or important relationships in the game can hold important information that unfolds the character’s true motivations, ambitions, and personality.
Even a story that lasts so long doesn’t feel like it’s either old or old. It’s done a lot and progressed through those three major acts, but they never feel like they’re building towards each other, cramming their own spins and a series of events, including a consistent sense of pace and plot.
I don’t rather ruin Claire’s obscurity: the event that only moved the game for a few hours came as a surprise to me, due to the deeper premise of Expedition 33. Overall, it does a great job of managing multiple characters and has a deeper sense of lore before it wears off the welcome.
Party up
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has many driving forces, and its combat is definitely one of them. Encounters take place in turn-based fashion, with up to three of the six total upgradeable and customizable party members able to participate in the battle. Players will quickly get to the basics, but there are even more hidden under the hood.
Select Attack, select your target and fire. You can also use a series of special attacks to deal serious damage, or choose the appropriate attack depending on the enemy’s weaknesses and abilities. You can also call up some items to help buff, heal and revive allies that fell during battle.
But it needs to be responsive in real time. During each turn, enemy attacks can be changed by avoiding or receiving them at the appropriate time by pressing a specific command. Dodging an attack is relatively easy. It simply avoids any damage that would have lasted from that attack. But there’s a parry at the right time and you essentially block the attack and get back a lot of damage.
But it’s a massive risk/reward play. Parry windows are very small and it may be better to live by avoiding them to fight again. If an enemy attack covers multiple party members, even a whole party dodge called a jump is called a jump.
Party members can take advantage of ranged attacks that can be used to fire certain weaknesses at enemies before they begin their turn. However, this uses an AP or attack point. The AP should always be managed, determining how often it can carry out heavier special attacks. Instead of wasting those points by shooting first, it may be better to simply attack normally or attack Parry to gain additional APs.
Along the way, players are also known as special skills and buffs that can be assigned to a particular party member. Pictos is a major skill or buff, while Lumina refers to the points you earn when using it. Equip the Pictos skill to earn 4 battles, unlocking them and Lumina Points can be assigned to any character.
It is a constant, balanced act, and is difficult to navigate when bouncing back among all party members, but it always helps create more attractive battles, especially as even basic enemies and bosses become tougher and more demanding.
Please look at the parts
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looks incredible. There’s a fair amount of side content to explore, including building character relationships, finding hidden areas and cosmetics, supporting certain NPCs, and more, but it all looks first class.
With a talent for French art and history, Claire of Cents: Expedition 33 still packs an impressive amount of detail through its unique dreamy environment and stunning scenery. The lighting effects and textures aren’t too bad either, and the game works very well.
There are 30 fps quality modes and 60 fps performance modes, but given the game’s reflective, timing-based nature, I chose the latter option for smoother gameplay.
Final thoughts
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is always incredibly impressive. With its unique turn-based gameplay, engaging stories and stunning visuals, it’s not often that this game doesn’t go well.
Even if you don’t enjoy RPG titles or turn-based combat, it’s better to give it a crack as it’s far more than the total of that part. This is one of the best RPG experiences in modern games.
4 and a half stars (out of 5)
Highlights: A fantastic and fascinating story. Unique turn-based combat. Amazing visuals and decent performance
Low light: Menu based on text progression can be a bit confusing
Developer: Sandfall Interactive, Sandfall SAS
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/s, Windows PC, Game Pass
Available: Now
Reviews conducted on Xbox Series X using access via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
