Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur is an RPG on rocket skates. It takes big swings and lands all of them with a satisfying smack.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a game destined to mark an entire generation of players, as well as revolutionize turn-based combat as we know it. An RPG to remember.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sets new standards for the genre of turn based RPGs with regard to the story, but even more so the combat. A new, shining star, who hopefully points the way for many future games.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels like a real next step for modern RPG games. Sandfall has achieved something truly special.

A paradigm shift for turn-based RPGs, respectful of their heritage yet unafraid to dismantle and rebuild their foundations.

It's hard not to be impressed by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, if only for the sheer ambition it displays. From its very first minutes, the game sets a strong, atypical aesthetic framework, almost disturbing in its tormented beauty. The universe, somewhere between surrealistic nightmare and waking dream, is unlike anything currently on the J-RPG scene. But Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is more than just a visual daring, for beneath its visual and symbolic layers lies a surprisingly dense, rich and, above all, dynamic combat system. Combining turn-based and real-time reflexes, the game redefines the genre's expectations by forcing it out of its comfort zone. But ambitious as it is, Expedition 33 is not without its faults. The game's overly linear structure hinders exploration. The environments, as beautiful as they are, sometimes suffer from a lack of interaction and a rather flat level design. The title isn't perfect, but it's terribly sincere, and above all it's a work that dares and often succeeds.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 mixes JRPG-like turn-based battles with real-time action. While I was hooked to this combat system, the story’s sudden plot twist felt forced. Although this was hard to ignore, it is undeniable that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an appealing game that delivers a strong message.

This is such a phenomenal game that breaks new ground and sets a new standard for the genre. Not only is the gameplay fantastic, but even more so the progression systems with pictos and lumina etcetera which makes it possible to build a variety of different viable gameplay styles for each character. On top of that, it features an amazing cast of characters and storytelling that is seldom seen in videogames, even though it can get quite convoluted and confusing at times. Did I say that the game also looks fantastic, is set in an incredible world and features some of the best music ever featured in a videogame? No? Well, I did now. I think the only way this game could ever be better is if they fix movement which in my opinion is too imprecise for the game to feature parkour segments. Oh, and perhaps be a little clearer in some parts of the story.

It’s good and I’d recommend it to someone who plays a lot of games, but not a must-play for 3 reasons: 1. Balance, 2. Repetition, 3. Exploration Balance: I had an engaging 10 hours, followed by 25 hit and miss hours. In act 2 and 3 everything in the main story was too easy after I was “rewarded” for figuring things out in act 1. Yes, you get rewarded by getting stronger but this ruins the challenge of everything to come. Sure make it harder for yourself but I’m always roaming with my best loadout because there is 0 way of knowing how tough an enemy is until the encounter is underway. And in most optional activities you’re severely punished for even trying. Repetition: waves and hordes of the same enemies means you’ll probably use the same sequence of abilities every time. Elemental weaknesses stop matter halfway through the game. At least the parry system keeps things engaging. Exploration: rather don’t. Just follow the objective. I’ve wasted so much time looking for a fight that’s balanced. You better remember in what order you got the overworld traversal abilities because even the first area has some insanely tough enemies if they’re behind the right gate. And when it’s turned-based, too hard just isn’t fun. As an RPG this is probably a 5/10 but totally saved by an exceptional story. I think these brilliant ideas and designs will be better realised as a movie.

As a turn-based JRPG, this game comes surprisingly close to undermining itself. The central issue lies in its Parry mechanic, which dominates the combat system to such an extent that the safer and more accessible Dodge option becomes almost entirely obsolete. In practice, Dodge offers little meaningful advantage across most encounters, making it a poor strategic choice rather than a viable alternative.This imbalance ripples throughout the game’s design. With precise execution, Parry allows players to negate all incoming damage, effectively trivializing enemy mechanics and many of the tactical considerations the game attempts to introduce. The developers’ solution is to have enemies deal overwhelming damage. This only highlights the underlying flaw rather than resolving it.Being influenced by Sekiro's parrying shows poor choices and a lack of understanding of game elements that work in other places (from a real-time action into a turn-based system). Questionable telegraphing in some enemies, a lot of inbalances, and little issues here and there does not equate a BotY contender. That said, the game is not without merit. Its story is engaging, the visuals are impressive, and the overall level of polish is commendable, especially for an "indie" title with clear ambition and resources behind it (outsourcing and big budget). It is undeniably fun at first, but that enjoyment begins to fade the deeper one invests, as the combat system’s shortcomings become increasingly apparent and frustrating. Even so, there is value in what the game attempts. Its fresh concepts by inspired novices, even when imperfectly executed, brings new attention to the genre. If nothing else, it may inspire future titles to refine these concepts and build upon them more successfully.

Absolute 10/10 game considering the scale of the company that made it. 4/10 compared to high-budget games. If you thought Death Stranding had many cutscenes, just play this game. Never have I played a game where cutscenes and dialogues are longer than the gameplay. 10/10 story. I just wish they made a movie instead ****. Played 6 hours and dropped it.

The game looks cool and has a good soundtrack, and maybe a somewhat original story. However it’s basically unplayable for me because of the **** combat system. If you like dying a lot you might like this, but it’s ridiculously difficult to dodge or parry certain enemy attacks, and one mistake can kill you immediately. After dying 10 times in a row on the first stronger enemy I gave up. Sorry the game can have other qualities, but I play games to have fun, not to be frustrated by not matching some dodge rhythm perfectly all the time. I wanted an rpg, not a turn based soulslike where one mistake ends the game. Any game which deliberately causes frustration is simply not good in my view. If you value your time look elsewhere.