Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reviews
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not only a refined and conscious product, it is a total emotional experience, capable of shaking and leaving a deep mark. It is a work that speaks to the belly and the heart, that dares, moves and surprises, with masterful world building, a narrative dense with meaning and gameplay that pays homage to the past without remaining captive to it. It is rare to come across something so powerful and complete: a game that takes you by the hand and walks you toward an ending that, in whatever form you experience it, will stick with you. No rhetoric: this is a masterpiece, and that's all.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the revolution that the turn-based RPG genre needed. It offers a touching story, a bold, challenging combat system, and breathtaking audiovisual presentation, all without tedious grinding. With enormous freedom in character building and lots of optional content, there's something for every type of player: completionists, story lovers, or fans of challenging combat. The worldbuilding also has potential for DLCs or spin-offs – for example, about past expeditions that made Expedition 33 possible in the first place. For me, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the must-play game of the year and a hot contender for the title of Game of the Year.
Review in German | Read full review
Let's cut to the chase: Clair Obscur is, without question, the best game of the year so far. In fact, one could even argue that it's one of the best games of recent years. Of course, it all depends on individual tastes and sensibilities, but as far as I'm concerned, it's been a long time since I've been so captivated by a game. Even Metaphor: ReFantazio, though an exceptional title, failed to fascinate me in the same way.
Review in French | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has absolutely blown me away in every possible way. The game positions itself masterfully, exploring grief through the eyes of its characters as they hope for the future in spite of the journey ahead. Exploring Lumiere and the continent is a thrill, with enemies aplenty and battles that feel equally challenging and satisfying. It’s a stunning RPG that pulls at your emotions with its clever portrayal of hope. If you’re avoiding this one because of the turn-based gameplay, then I suggest you pipe down and let this game become your new obsession because it’s unforgettable. Do it for those who come after!
An impressive achievement that revitalizes the long-stagnant JRPG genre by skillfully unfolding a sweeping tale of life and death, art and theology. On this new stage, it proves that the genre isn’t obsolete—it's a timeless classic.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Believe the hype. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is as good as you've heard. It's as close to perfect as gaming gets.
Clair Obscur is a dream come true. A team of just a few people managed to deliver what many AAA studios can't: a game that borders on perfection in everything it sets out to be; a JRPG with an engaging and well-written story, one of the best turn-based combat systems ever created, jaw-dropping visuals, and all of this to the sound of an incredible soundtrack. This game shouldn't exist. But thank goodness it does.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece that continues to grow from strength to strength as its incredible story progresses, making it an unmissable title for 2025 and beyond. It is a work of art that must be experienced at least once. Its story, cast, gameplay, and music blend together to create an experience that raises the bar for video games across genres, while its combat and levels are a dream come true for RPG fans.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the fresh breath of originality and creativity that the video game industry needs. The title excels particularly in its narrative, which takes the stage for a new and complex world set in motion by a stunning audiovisual aspect. The combat system, which, due to the necessity of dodging and covering enemy wounds, will definitely annoy the player more than once, but will entertain him even more. While it's evident that this is an indie title, what one small studio can do is almost admirable. Despite all the criticisms, this was one of the best and most original games I've played.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare kind of RPG—one that’s as interested in the quiet, human moments as it is in epic battles. It asks you to pay attention, to care, and to grow alongside its cast. When the journey was over, I found myself thinking less about the enemies I’d defeated and more about the conversations I’d had, the choices I’d made, and the lasting impression of a world where every shadow has a story.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those rare surprises that will stay with us for a very, very long time. It’s ambitious, distinctive, and confident in what it does, unafraid to be strange, poetic, and even unsettling. The artistic direction shines; the combat is fun and addictive; and the story grips us, hurts us, but also lifts us in a whirlwind of emotion. It may be short (around 30 hours of gameplay), but it never feels like anything is missing. And there’s always something to discover, try out, or simply enjoy – whether it’s an optional boss that forces us to rethink our playstyle or a game of volleyball with the Gestral. Everything in it feels crafted with care and passion. And for that, I’m simply grateful.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a likely frontrunner for Game of the Year. For a studio comprised of newcomers, Sandfall Interactive has crafted a love letter to JRPGs and rekindled the discussion of whether or not turn-based games have faded into obscurity.
For a debut title, “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” exceeded my expectations in terms of story, worldbuilding and characters. Although combat might get tiresome and repetitive, it’s more than worth playing for any RPG fan. Sandfall Interactive is passionate and has plenty of talent for a new studio. I am eager to find out what the team’s next step will be.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A game with a phenomenal, moving story, charming and compelling characters, deep and engaging mechanics, gorgeous aesthetics and jaw-dropping music, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare find in the gaming space, a true gem that shines from every facet, appreciable not only when examined up close but in whole as we
Sandfall Interactive – take a bow. In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 you have created a masterpiece that will leave a lasting impact. Not just on the gamers who experience it, but on the entire video game industry as a whole. Every single element of this game is amazing. The beautiful visuals. The stunning story. The best videogame soundtrack I have heard in years. What may be the best voice acting we have ever experienced in a game. And of course – the combat. Turn based RPGs are back. And I for one hope they are here to stay.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Turn-based RPG with some surprising new elements such as parsing and avoiding attacks outside the player's turn. The compelling story knows how to grab attention in the first few minutes and holds it through plottwist and a lot of humor.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
A deeply impactful narrative, with characters you'll care about, and a world like nothing else, are the highlights of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an emotional, well told story combined with extremely flexible combat and characters. In a season packed full of immersive single-player experiences, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 prides itself on creating an extremely detailed world that leaves no stone unturned.
A stunning debut, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out for its bold artistic vision, rich storytelling, and ambitious design... despite a few technical hiccups and some combat imbalances.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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