Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reviews

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is ranked in the 100th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
The Jimquisition
Top Critic
10 / 10.0
May 13, 2025

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.

Read full review

Twinfinite
Top Critic
5 / 5.0
May 13, 2025

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.

Read full review

LevelUp
Top Critic
10 / 10.0
May 14, 2025

Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 is not necessarily an innovative game. However, it is a great value proposition because its excellence lies in the perfect execution of its ideas and their implementation.We don't feel that any of its components or mechanics are unnecessary; everything comes together excellently and in equal parts, a rounded and cohesive experience. Undoubtedly, a game to remember.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

GameOnly
Rafał Grajak
May 15, 2025

Let yourself be consumed by this world. Let the emotions sweep you away. Just remember — you won’t be the same person when you finish Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Clair Obscur is to the jRPG genre what The Last of Us was to TPP games in its time — sure, the budgets and studio sizes are incomparable, but this title is one of the biggest surprises of the last decade.

Review in Polish | Read full review

10 / 10.0
May 14, 2025

Expedition 33 is a masterpiece and a game that will be talked about for years. From the brilliant story, expertly delivered performances, to one of the most memorable soundtracks and casts in years. Turn-based games have had some struggle in capturing a new audience, usually lacking the action and excitement most games today offer. However, Sandfall Interactive proves that the execution is what matters, offering a turn-based system that is insanely action-packed and constantly engaging. Expedition 33 is astounding, entertaining, and wildly successful in everything it achieves.

Read full review

70 / 100
Apr 23, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's gorgeously realized world is let down by its emphasis on combat, marred by a few fatal stumbles.

Read full review

IGN
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Apr 23, 2025

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.

Read full review

4 / 5
Apr 23, 2025

Outstanding artwork and glorious combat bring Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's bold, painterly world to life.

Read full review

Game Rant
Top Critic
10 / 10
Apr 23, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare RPG that feels mechanically bold, emotionally grounded, and unforgettable long after the credits roll.

Read full review

Fextralife
Castielle
Top Critic
10 / 10
Apr 23, 2025

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.

Read full review

Apr 23, 2025

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.

Read full review

GamesRadar+
Top Critic
Apr 23, 2025

"Lengthy battles are rewarding, never descending into a mindless grindfest"

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Apr 23, 2025

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.

Read full review

9 / 10
Apr 23, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a phenomenal RPG, telling a heartbreaking tale while incorporating thrilling action into its tactical turn-based combat

Read full review

Unscored
Apr 28, 2025

Sandfall Interactive's debut RPG signals a hopefully bright future for the studio

Read full review

VG247
Top Critic
Apr 23, 2025

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.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Apr 23, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a cinematic RPG experience that showcases both visual and audio prowess.

Read full review

Tom's Guide
Top Critic
Apr 25, 2025

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.

Read full review

10 / 10.0
Apr 23, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has exceeded every one of my expectations. Sandfall Interactive's debut title is one of the greatest accomplishments in gaming, delivering a well-paced, polished, and unforgettable experience.

Read full review

10 / 10
May 5, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a beautiful experience that excels in almost every area – the combat and character skill customisation is some of the most intricate I've seen, the storyline is routinely surprising and emotional, characterisation and performances are immaculate, and it both looks and sounds absolutely stunning all the time. It's a stunning accomplishment for Sandfall Interactive's first game, and with a core team of around 30 (with outsourced help). It's sure to be in contention for Game of the Year awards, and anyone not playing it is seriously missing out.

Read full review