Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

It’s clear from the very first moments of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that it is going to be a very special experience, with it launching players into a mysterious, melancholic world packed full of unsettling beauty, narrative intrigue, and tantalising combat mechanics. It might be the debut release from the team at Sandfall Interactive, but they’ve truly put their name on the map, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a bold, emotional, and mechanically rich RPG that easily rivals some of the genre’s greats.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Set in a gorgeous fragmented world, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints a haunting picture of a society living in fear of the Paintress – a colossal being who annually inscribes a number on a black monolith, instantly erasing anyone whose age matches that number. This year’s number is 33, and thus begins Expedition 33: a desperate mission to reach the Paintress and uncover the truth behind this deadly cycle. It’s a brilliant and unique concept that had me completely invested from the get-go.

The setting is as surreal as it is stunning, with the remnants of a broken Earth floating in an oceanic void, each locale dripping with artistic flair and emotional resonance. Each locale you explore sets a high bar visually, with each area packed full of eye-catching sights and intriguing environmental storytelling that’ll pull you in. Expressive character models and dynamic lighting reinforce the game’s unique atmosphere, whilst a varied and evocative soundtrack shifts between sombre piano pieces, energetic metal riffs, and unexpected jazz numbers to perfectly match the mood of both the storytelling and the landscape that you’re exploring.

What makes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stand out narratively isn’t just its imaginative concept but its commitment to character and pacing. The story moves swiftly – a welcome change in a genre often criticized for its slow openings, and whilst there’s little exposition upfront, the emotional stakes are immediately made clear within the first twenty-minutes. Never have I found myself so absorbed in a protagonist’s plight so quickly and effectively, but damn, the disheartened yet resilient Gustave immediately had me rooting for him. Each party member has distinct motivations for joining the expedition, with each perfectly written so that their interactions strike a great balance between levity and drama.

Want to know the best thing about the storytelling? Despite the gravity and sullen tone of the premise, the game doesn’t shy away from eccentric humour to bring a few comical moments into the experience. These moments of comic relief make the heavier narrative beats hit harder, allowing the emotional arcs to develop more naturally but without being all ‘doom and gloom’ from start to end. It’s a testament to the game’s excellent writing that it manages to balance out the change of tone without it ever feeling jarring or out of place.

“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not just a strong first outing for Sandfall Interactive – it’s one of the best RPGs in recent memory.”

It’ll also be appreciated by many that the story isn’t overstuffed, with it taking roughly 30 hours to complete – there are plenty of optional side quests to uncover though, so you could easily add another 20 hours or so onto that number if you want to discover everything in the game. The inclusion of difficulty options also ensures players can tailor their experience to suit their skillset, and given that the game relies on quick reactions as much as it does strategic prowess in its battling, these difficulty settings will be appreciated by a lot of players.

Whilst the storytelling and world are sublime, I think it’s the combat that stands out as one of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s greatest strengths. On first glance alone, it’d be easy to see it as another traditional turn-based RPG, but it’s actually infused with real-time action-based mechanics that truly up the tension of each battle. Timing your dodges and parries correctly allows you to completely avoid damage or even retaliate with powerful counters, but the game never gives you button prompts – you’re instead left to study enemy animations and respond with precision, almost like a Souls-like, with little margin for error if you want to keep on top of the game. It’s absolutely brilliant, even IF it could have been a bit more forgiving in those early hours. But hey, at least on the standard difficulty, you’re able to get away with a few mistakes and mistimed button presses without being punished too much.

Outside of the excitement of the core combat mechanics, each character brings a unique twist to battling. Gustave builds up charges to unleash devastating attacks, Maelle swaps stances to balance offense and defence, while Sciel’s capabilities are tied to the sun and moon in varying ways, just to name a few. Blending these unique traits of characters with tactical decision-making and quick reflexes results in a battle system that feels both cerebral and visceral, with it engaging, rewarding, and proof that there are still plenty of innovating and exciting ways to evolve upon traditional turn-based RPG battling.

Adding further depth are the Pictos, which are items that grant perks, such as triggering a buff after a perfect dodge or applying debuffs with basic attacks. Once a Picto has been used in a few battles, its effect can be unlocked permanently and applied more freely across the party, encouraging experimentation and allowing a deeper sense of customisation when it comes to each character’s skillset. It’s a fun and intuitive system that supports a wide range of playstyles, with players encouraged to switch Pictos in-and-out to maximise their capabilities and prepare themselves for some of the game’s tougher encounters.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Outside of combat, players navigate a series of fragmented islands, each with its own challenges, treasures, and side stories – there’s even a bit of platforming, which won’t be for everyone but definitely were a lot of fun for me (even IF they’re surprisingly tough to get through). While the level design isn’t sprawling, there are enough alternate paths and secrets to reward curiosity, with those who venture off the beaten path rewarded with additional items or lore to expand upon the world. Unfortunately, the lack of maps in many areas makes navigation more frustrating than it should be, and whilst the developer noted that this was an intentional design choice, it’s probably the biggest issue I had with the game. Maybe it’s something that can be patched in sometime in the future… pretty please?

Visually, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a consistent marvel. The art direction stands out thanks to its absolutely gorgeous and surreal environments, mythic creature designs, and elegant UI that complements the world’s tone, whilst the soundtrack is an absolute showstopper too – from its melancholic themes to energetic battle anthems, every track feels carefully composed to amplify the emotional beats of the world. Voice acting is another standout, with excellent performances across the board that lend weight to both dramatic and lighter moments. It might not be considered a big-budget RPG, but believe me, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 easily rivals (and arguably betters) a lot of its big-name rivals when it comes to its visuals and audio.

Developer: Sandfall Interactive
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, PC
Website: https://www.expedition33.com/