Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reviews
Just a while ago, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could have been called a dark horse — a hidden gem with untapped potential. But not anymore. With its official release, it’s proven itself worthy of being a Game of the Year contender.
Review in Korean | Read full review
If Clair Obscur - Expedition 33 doesn't appear in all the best lists of the year despite its strange title at first glance, you still have a great year of new releases ahead of you, but I don't think that will happen. Because this game is almost perfect. A fantastic story in the truest sense of the word, great gameplay, constantly challenging battles, an incredibly intense atmosphere and visuals that you've almost certainly never seen before. The fact that Sandfall is reportedly already negotiating with a Hollywood studio for the film rights will come as no surprise to you by the end of the game. Thank you for this game!
Review in German | Read full review
To think that this is Sandfall Interactive’s first game is mind-blowing, as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 should be up there with the best RPGs of all time.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a triumphant homage to classic JRPGs, technically cutting-edge, artistically sublime, and narratively rich. Rather than chasing trends, Sandfall Interactive embraces tradition with passion, delivering a love letter to the genre that both honors the past and carves out a bold new future.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Clair Obscur is a genuine standout RPG, driven by courage, sacrifice, and the powerful bonds formed in the midst of tragedy. It pushes you to confront loss and hope in equal measure, resonating long after the credits roll. This is a beautifully tragic expedition that demands your emotional investment, repaying it with a story and characters that will reward the time it takes to develop the skills of not taking any damage in combat. This may be a divisive game within the community due to its skill-based combat system and a few questionable choices with the direction of the story, but all I can tell you is that this is one tragedy you’re going to want to see through.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is more than a great game, it's an artistic statement amidst common games without any trace of soul or originality.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I absolutely recommend Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and think it’s a gorgeous game, even if it has a few quirks.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a wonderful game crafted with love, excelling in every aspect. Its story is bold and emotional, masterfully written and supported by outstanding voice acting. Set in a unique world that captivates the eye with its beauty and sparks the imagination with its concept, the game is enriched by enchanting music that adds magic to the experience. All of this comes together in an innovative role-playing game that delivers its ideas exceptionally well, making it undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises of this generation—especially as the debut project from SandFall Interactive
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Emotional roller coaster with excellent turn-based combat.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will definitely be one of the nominees for the Game of the Year!
Review in Greek | Read full review
“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” is a masterpiece and shows how role-playing games with turn-based battles can still feel fresh in 2025. It is very likely to be my JRPG of the year.
Review in German | Read full review
Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 borrows from tradition.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an unforgettable RPG, with a brilliant combat system, a powerful story and a visually unique world. It not only delivers what it promises: it surpasses it in almost everything. If you like demanding RPGs, with soul, personality and good taste, this is one of those titles you won't forget.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an exemplary turn-based RPG that nails everything right. From the beautiful visual presentation to the world-building, from the dynamic and active battles to the deep customization systems, it is a piece of work that knows how to take advantage of classic JRPG structures and stands out for taking them further in a unique approach.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Clair Obscur feels big, it feels important, it feels like a game for now, that you’ll be thinking about for years to come. Expedition 33 might be built off of the groundwork laid by decades of creatives that came before, but its impact is wholly singular and essential in its own right.
Quite possibly the best RPG of its kind. Epic story with heartfelt moments, best-in class combat, gorgeous graphics and music that will linger for the rest of my life. I’ll be humming some of these tunes in the retirement home. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the real thing. This game will go down in history as a must-play RPG.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will captivate you from the very first moment. We are talking about a work that manages to stand out in the RPG landscape for its extraordinary ability to blend narrative, art direction, and game mechanics into a cohesive and deeply evocative experience. Sandfall Interactive gives us a tale dense with emotions and brilliant moments, where the pain of grief intertwines with resistance, memory, and the struggle for survival. However, it's not just the narrative aspect that works well: the combat system, a hybrid of turn-based and real-time action, represents one of the game's highlights, offering deep and never repetitive dynamics that enhance each character's unique traits and satisfy both RPG enthusiasts and those who want to enjoy a more relaxed experience. The art direction, on the other hand, is a true homage to Impressionist and Symbolist painting, with scenarios that look like they were taken from an art gallery and settings inspired by a dreamlike, deconstructed Paris. In short, Expedition 33 is not just a journey through decadent lands and evocative settings: it's a path that constantly challenges the perception of reality and dream, light and darkness, life and death. With solid longevity, a world rich in activities, and a surprisingly polished technical aspect, the title emerges not only as one of the most fascinating and significant surprises in the genre, but also as one of the best video games (so far) of this 2025.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 defied my expectations with its unique charm, offering an engaging narrative, beautiful design, and diverse gameplay that kept me entertained throughout, even if its ambition occasionally led to confusing mechanics and cluttered menus.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece that clearly draws inspiration from other RPG's, but does so with such elegance and skill that it stands firmly on its own in an overcrowded genre – thanks in part, of course, to its own unique tricks. In an age of cynicism and uncertainty, it's wonderful to get our hands on something this magical.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may be predictable at times, but it's bolstered by its excellent voice cast and compelling turn-based combat.