Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a strikingly original RPG from French developer Sandfall Interactive. With its breathtaking visual direction, innovative combat system, and emotionally resonant narrative, it delivers one of the most memorable role-playing experiences in recent memory. Blending traditional turn-based mechanics with the immediacy of action gameplay, Expedition 33 is as thrilling as it is heartbreaking.
A Terminal Premise with Emotional Weight
The game’s world is built on a metaphorical—and literal—countdown to death. Set in Lumière, a fantastical echo of Belle Époque Paris shattered by a mysterious event known as the Fracture, humanity’s days are numbered. Each year, an enigmatic entity known as the Paintress marks a new number on a looming monolith. The following year, every person of that age perishes, their bodies disintegrating into dust and crimson petals. As the number reaches 33, you join the 33rd expedition: a desperate mission to end the cycle and save what’s left of humanity.
This setup provides a harrowing backdrop for a story deeply rooted in themes of mortality, loss, and resilience. It’s a premise that will resonate especially with players who’ve faced terminal illness in their lives or families, echoing the process of grieving before death and the urgency of living fully in the face of it.
Characters That Live and Breathe
Despite its somber core, Expedition 33 is full of life. The party you travel with is diverse, not just in combat utility but in personality and ideology. Each character is vividly drawn, from Sciel’s radiant optimism to Lune’s analytical drive. Dialogue around the campfire and personal side quests slowly reveal how grief, hope, and purpose have shaped each of them.
A world this heavy with death makes space for moments of levity, heart, and connection. Thanks to stellar performances from a voice cast that includes Charlie Cox, Kirsty Rider, Jennifer English, and Andy Serkis, each conversation feels grounded and emotionally honest—even in a surreal, dreamlike world.
Reactive Turn-Based Combat: Precision Meets Rhythm
What sets Expedition 33 apart mechanically is its “reactive turn-based combat.” On the surface, battles feel familiar to fans of classic JRPGs. Each character uses action points to perform attacks, skills, or items, with the usual mix of buffs, debuffs, and elemental damage. But once a command is chosen, you’re thrust into real-time quick-time events—precise button presses that determine how effective your actions are.
Offensively, these QTEs transform each attack into a rhythm game-like moment. Defensively, the combat takes cues from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice with a rewarding parry system that demands precision and timing. Perfect parries nullify damage, earn action points, and trigger satisfying counterattacks, often enhanced by crisp particle effects and resonant sound design.
This system requires real player skill—not just strategic planning but hand-eye coordination. Difficulty options let you tailor the challenge, even removing QTEs entirely, but when engaged fully, the combat achieves a thrilling balance between strategy and action.
Tactical Depth and Character Synergy
Each party member in Expedition 33 introduces unique mechanics that elevate the game’s tactical potential. Gustave, the party’s dependable striker, builds up Overcharge to unleash massive lightning attacks. Lune manipulates elemental “Stains” that other characters can consume for combo effects. Maelle switches stances mid-fight to unlock buffs and adapt to battle conditions. Sciel manipulates sun and moon charges through predictive debuffs, while another mysterious member echoes Devil May Cry’s stylish flair, building an S-rank system that amplifies both flash and function.
These mechanics interlock beautifully. For instance, Lune’s flame attack might set up a burning status that triggers Maelle’s stance change, which is then enhanced further by Gustave’s “Mark” skill. The potential for synergy is vast, encouraging creative experimentation and reinforcing the game’s flow state during combat.
A Surreal World with Painterly Vision
The Continent, where most of your journey unfolds, is visually mesmerizing. Coral reefs drift in mid-air, sea creatures swim overhead, and forests glow with otherworldly hues. Decaying Parisian landmarks, floating ruins, and dreamlike vistas paint a surreal yet poignant picture of a world unmoored by time and reality.
Exploration is relatively linear—more Final Fantasy XIII than Xenoblade Chronicles—but the artistry on display makes up for mechanical simplicity. Hidden areas offer extra gear and battles, though platforming sections and side objectives can feel underdeveloped. One notable drawback is the lack of objective tracking and the inability to compare weapons in shops—minor annoyances in an otherwise well-polished experience.
The overworld, revealed after the first act, shifts to an isometric perspective reminiscent of classic RPGs. Traversing this hub offers moments of nostalgic charm and houses some of the game’s most difficult optional challenges, including clever boss designs that introduce puzzle-like mechanics mid-fight.
Stunning Soundtrack and Cultural Impact
Accompanying the stunning visuals is an exceptional score that blends classical French motifs with modern instrumentation. From wistful piano melodies to energetic accordion-led battle themes, the soundtrack is emotionally rich and tonally versatile. It’s no surprise the OST topped Billboard’s Classical Music charts shortly after launch.
The game’s impact extends beyond gaming circles. Clair Obscur has received critical acclaim, topping OpenCritic and Metacritic scores in 2025, and even drawing praise from French President Emmanuel Macron as “a shining example of French audacity and creativity.” A film adaptation by Story Kitchen, the team behind the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, is already in development.
Conclusion: An RPG Classic in the Making
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a stunning blend of artistry, storytelling, and gameplay. It dares to confront death not just as a theme, but as a mechanic, and emerges with a game that is vibrant, humane, and unforgettable. Its combat system alone is a triumph of genre fusion, and its narrative, bolstered by rich characters and poignant performances, lingers long after the credits roll.
With minor flaws in exploration and quality-of-life, it’s not perfect—but perfection isn’t the point. Like life itself, Expedition 33 is about finding beauty in fleeting moments. And in that, it succeeds spectacularly.
Score: 9.5/10