Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reviews
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the epitome of an instant classic. Its premise alone had something special to it, but no elevator pitch could have prepared me for how the thing blossoms and blossoms and blossoms. Exciting battles and beautiful writing unfold in a world that looks and sounds sublime, all of it pulled off with unbelievable style. I’m in genuine awe of the accomplishment.
To sum it up, I can once again briefly talk about the numerous pros and some cons, and also recommend Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to absolutely all fans of the RPG genre, and mention that it is definitely one of the contenders for game of the year.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 surpasses even the high expectations set in the preview with a captivating original story, well-balanced turn-based & real-time combat, jaw-dropping presentation, and a soundtrack that is fit to stand among the greats — raising the bar for new IP in single-player games.
Débutant developer Sandfall Interactive mixes French culture with elements from Persona and Dark Souls, and the results are incroyable.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece from start to finish, a beautiful and deeply moving journey.
I firmly believe Expedition 33 is the new gold standard for the JRPG. Across every facet, from its mechanical design and narrative confidence to its striking art direction and masterful score, Sandfall Interactive has crafted something truly special. This isn’t just a promising debut; it’s a genre-defining work that I believe will shape game design for years to come. It is, without reservation, a masterpiece — and one of my favourite video games of all time.
There’s so much that can be said about how special Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is, from its evocative exploration of grief, its incredible combat system, its artistic presentation, and its emotionally stirring soundtrack.
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.
Outstanding artwork and glorious combat bring Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's bold, painterly world to life.
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.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a phenomenal RPG, telling a heartbreaking tale while incorporating thrilling action into its tactical turn-based combat
Sandfall Interactive's debut RPG signals a hopefully bright future for the studio
They say art is all about eliciting an emotional reaction; if you can do that, all the effort expended in creating it was worth it. I think Clair Obscur does that with aplomb. If you have ever loved role-playing games, ever, you owe it to yourself to play this. It has the capacity to touch you.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a cinematic RPG experience that showcases both visual and audio prowess.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a addition to the turn-based RPG genre, one that boasts challenging, engaging combat mechanics and plays out in a distinct and utterly beautiful fantasy world. From start to finish, I was fascinated by the sights,sounds and tasks that lay ahead. If you love RPGs, it should be at the top of your list; I really can't recommend it enough.