Emotional Story
Engaging Combat
Visually Stunning
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 delivers a deep, emotionally charged RPG with standout tactical combat, rich visuals, and a haunting story that resonates long after finishing
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
92
Top Critic Average
97%
Critics Recommend
Eurogamer
4 / 5
PC Gamer
70 / 100
IGN
9 / 10
Game Rant
10 / 10
Fextralife
10 / 10
TheGamer
5 / 5
GamesRadar+
4.5 / 5
Game Informer
9 / 10
Creators: Sandfall Interactive, Kepler Interactive
Release Date: Apr 24, 2025 - PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review Summary
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Critic Reviews for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Outstanding artwork and glorious combat bring Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's bold, painterly world to life.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's gorgeously realized world is let down by its emphasis on combat, marred by a few fatal stumbles.
Wearing its inspirations on its sleeve, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints itself into the pantheon of great RPGs with a brilliant combat system and a gripping, harrowing story.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare RPG that feels mechanically bold, emotionally grounded, and unforgettable long after the credits roll.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may very well win game of the year and may do so with the staff of under 50 people, proving that passion, dedication, talent and a clear vision are far more important than a large marketing budget, scores and scores of writers and tech personnel, and a big brand to rely on. I can’t wait to see what’s next from Sandfall Interactive and hope it looks a lot like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Sandfall Interactive’s debut is a triumph. Everything about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is either a fresh reboot to soothe the traditionalist’s soul or an exciting, bold leap into new territory, and the result is a piece of art that pulled me in and refused to let go.
"Lengthy battles are rewarding, never descending into a mindless grindfest"
The adventure isn’t overlong, and you don’t spend more time than necessary fighting. The world, art, and narrative are unique, but it makes me nostalgic for a game I remember from the past. It’s as though developer Sandfall Interactive managed to make a classic RPG with only the good parts.
Industry Coverage
Sandfall's Mega-Hit Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Cost Less Than $10 Million To Create
We knew the team was small, but creating Expedition 33 on that budget is a phenomenal achievement.
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Winning Streak Continues As Xbox Reveals It Towered Over Third-Party Game Pass Competition
Will Maelle ever stop winning?
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The Japan Game Awards Just Crowned Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The French JRPG everybody's still talkin' about just won the prestigious Breakthrough Award.
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Clair Obscur Director Teases Sequel, Confirms Expedition 33 is 'Not the End'
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's director hints at the possibility of a sequel, giving fans hope that the story may not be over just yet.
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