Review of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Genre and concept

In terms of genre, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a tactical RPG with a reactive turn-based combat system (Reactive Turn-Based), drawing inspiration from the best examples of JRPGs, while boldly and confidently bringing a number of innovative ideas into the established formula. The fundamental concept of the game is built around the idea of the cyclic nature of time and the eternal struggle against an unstoppable external force. Each expedition in the world of Clair Obscur is a new desperate attempt to break this vicious circle, and the thirty-third expedition becomes the most important and, possibly, the last one.

A distinctly unique French perspective on the genre is felt in literally every detail, from the subtle, multi-layered storytelling to the completely original visual style. This is not just another well-made role-playing game, but a truly bold and deep interactive story that makes the player reflect.

Our review clearly notes that this kind of mechanics and the innovative approach to the genre make the project a unique phenomenon on the modern gaming scene. It is a strong, illustrative example of how you can respectfully reimagine traditional formats and give them new life.

Gameplay and mechanics

The gameplay of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a well-balanced and carefully designed combination of classic, thoughtful turn-based combat and dynamic QTE (Quick Time Events) elements, such as real-time parries and dodges.

The core of almost every battle is an original and deep reactive combat system, where players must anticipate enemy intentions and actions several turns ahead and build their own tactics accordingly.

However, the combat mechanics go much further: active use of environmental elements, combining unique character abilities, and a careful choice of specialized weapons all play a key, decisive role. An important part is also the constant timer counting down to the moment when the Paintress rewrites reality again, which adds additional tension.

An essential part of the gameplay is also the measured, thoughtful exploration of the world, generously filled with various riddles, puzzles, and narrative secrets. The developers have managed to create a truly living and interactive world where your decisions have a direct and tangible impact on the course of events.

Story and characters

The story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an epic and emotional narrative about a group of desperate yet doomed daredevils who voluntarily embark on their fateful and possibly final expedition. The personal story and well-developed motivation of each character — such as Gustav, seeking redemption, or Mael, driven by revenge — are gradually revealed to the player through numerous dialogues, scattered memories, and natural interaction with the world and its inhabitants.

Even the main antagonist, the mysterious Paintress, is presented not as a caricature embodiment of evil, but as a complex, multi-faceted and in some ways even tragic figure, which adds unexpected depth and a philosophical layer to the narrative.

The world of Clair Obscur lives and breathes according to its own rules, known only to itself, and throughout the game the player will have to slowly, step by step, unravel its many mysteries. A truly well-crafted script, worked out down to the smallest details, combined with high-quality professional localization, allows you to fully immerse yourself in the tense and mesmerizing atmosphere of what is happening.

Practical recommendations: example build for Gustav

• Weapon: Sword-rapier with a focus on “Threat” modifiers (to maintain aggro) and “Defense”.
• Armor: A set with maximum “Health” and “Damage Resistance” stats.
• Skills: Level up the “Commander’s Shield” tree to generate shields for allies and “Taunt” to force enemies to attack Gustav.
• Tactics: Use Gustav to control the flow of battle, protecting more vulnerable allies like Chanel. His “Counter- Attack” ability is extremely effective against enemies with multi-hit attacks.

Aesthetics and atmosphere

The visual style and artistic direction of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are, without exaggeration, its calling card and main trump card. The game is entirely done in a unique style reminiscent of oil painting, which forms a distinctive and mesmerizing “obscur” aesthetic that gave the series its name.

Every frame and camera angle in the game looks like a finished work of art. The game world is saturated with bright, rich colors and stunning surreal landscapes that take your breath away. The atmosphere is unique: it skillfully combines a sense of the unknown and looming threat with a captivating, almost fairy-tale-like and melancholic visual presentation.

The entire environment — from the largest locations to the smallest interior details — is thought out to the tiniest nuances, making each, even the most routine expedition, a unique visual delight. Our review must emphasize that this bold and consistent artistic choice was a huge risk that ultimately paid off completely.

Perfectly chosen music and sound design further enhance the overall impression, fully immersing the player in this unique world unlike anything else.

Criticism and reviews

The vast majority of reviews of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, both from professional critics and ordinary players, are strongly positive. Experts and users alike have highly praised the bold and distinctive art style, the deep and layered combat system, and the engaging, twist-filled story.

Many authoritative reviews published on platforms such as Steam and major gaming portals almost unanimously agree that this project rightly stands as one of the most original and memorable releases of the current year.

However, some particularly strict reviews fairly point out the rather high, almost hardcore difficulty level, as well as optimization issues on Unreal Engine 5, which can cause FPS drops and stutters on weaker systems.

Nevertheless, even considering these remarks, the overall opinion of the gaming community is that the project’s numerous strengths far outweigh its individual, fairly subjective shortcomings. Our review generally agrees with this well-founded stance: the game definitely deserves the closest attention from all fans of the genre.

Release and availability

At the time of this review’s publication, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available for purchase on all major digital distributors such as Steam, Epic Games Store, as well as on next-gen console marketplaces. Information about any physical, boxed editions for PC or consoles has not yet been officially announced or confirmed by the developers.

It is worth noting that the game has already accumulated a substantial number of positive reviews from a broad gaming audience, which is a direct indication of its high quality and competent execution.

For those who are only planning to begin their own expedition soon, we strongly recommend keeping an eye on regular updates and patches from the development team, who are actively working on the project and releasing balance updates.

Within the framework of this review, we recommend choosing the standard edition of the game, as it provides a fully complete version of the project without any unnecessary or forced content.