Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Review
Reviewed by Karan Parmar | April 24, 2025
There are games that entertain and games that endure, and then there are rare titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that invite players into something more personal, an experience defined as much by emotion and artistry as it is by systems and structure. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, a relatively small studio working with the weight of massive ambition, this game is a surreal, turn-based RPG that draws from classic genre foundations while carving out its own poetic identity. Expedition 33 blends traditional JRPG mechanics with real-time action elements, housed within a deeply symbolic world where memory, mortality, and the fading of identity are central themes. With a powerful art direction and one of the most unique combat systems in recent memory, it is a game that lingers long after the credits roll.
Gameplay and World Design
Expedition 33 makes a bold impression with its world, a vision of Belle Époque elegance twisted by decay, where cities float above oceans of clouds and shadowy relics of the past loom in the distance. The game’s structure is mostly linear in nature; it cleverly disguises its hand with intricately designed levels that reward exploration. There are no traditional open-world mechanics here, but what exists is rich with atmosphere and carefully layered environmental storytelling. The lack of a minimap or traditional waypoint system encourages players to observe their surroundings rather than rush forward, forcing a slower, more intentional pace.
While it might not appeal to every type of player, those willing to engage with the game on its own terms will find the journey deeply rewarding. Side quests, though fewer in number, often connect thematically to the larger narrative and expand the game’s emotional depth rather than serving as simple fetch quests. It’s a focused experience that values storytelling and pacing over sheer volume.
Combat System and Mechanics
Where Expedition 33 truly shines is in its turn-based combat system, which is anything but conventional. Though rooted in classic JRPG structure complete with skill trees, character roles, and elemental affinities, the game elevates each encounter through dynamic, real-time interactions during enemy turns. Rather than sitting back and watching the enemy attack, players are expected to dodge, parry, and jump to avoid incoming damage, making every turn a hands-on event. There’s also an impressive emphasis on precision; many abilities allow players to free-aim projectiles at specific enemy weak points, adding a layer of skill and strategy uncommon in the genre.
While the early game does throw a lot at the player in terms of mechanics, status effects, combo meters, and custom loadouts, the systems are intuitively designed and gradually build in complexity, making mastery feel satisfying rather than overwhelming. The boss fights in particular are highlights, each offering unique attack patterns and requiring a blend of reflexes and tactics that never feel repetitive. Whether you’re optimizing your build with Lumen Picto modifiers or just learning to perfect a parry window, the combat feels constantly engaging and refreshingly innovative.
Visuals and Art Direction
Built in Unreal Engine 5, the game uses a stylized photorealistic approach that brings its painterly environments to life with haunting beauty. From mist-drenched libraries to otherworldly coral reefs suspended in the sky, every area feels like a brushstroke on a canvas, intentionally placed and rich with texture. Character models are equally detailed, with expressive facial animations and fluid movement, though some minor lip-sync issues do appear during certain scenes. The game’s artistic vision is so coherent and consistently striking that even its darker, more oppressive areas remain beautiful in a melancholic sense.
Narrative and Emotional Weight
At the core of Expedition 33 is a story about finality and memory, set in a world where the mysterious “Paintress” erases people from existence annually in a ritual called the Gommage.
The survivors, those fated to die next, embark on an expedition to confront the source of their impending erasure. What unfolds is not merely a quest to defeat a villain, but a meditation on grief, purpose, and the fragility of being remembered. Characters like Gustave, Maelle, Lune, and the endearing Esquie are fully realized, each carrying emotional baggage that makes their personal arcs feel grounded and relatable. Unlike many games in the genre that rely on youthful melodrama, Expedition 33 opts for mature, introspective storytelling that explores trauma and connection without ever becoming overwrought.
Dialogue is well-written, voice acting is emotionally charged, particularly from standout performances by Charlie Cox and Jennifer English, and story twists are delivered with subtlety rather than shock value. It’s a narrative that respects the player’s intelligence and rewards attention, weaving its philosophical undertones into the gameplay experience in ways that feel natural and earned.
Audio and Score
The game’s musical score is a standout element that cannot be overlooked. The soundtrack blends orchestral arrangements with haunting vocal themes that match the tone of each region and emotional beat. The use of vocals, especially in tracks like “Alicia” and “Luminescence,” adds an operatic layer to the game’s more dramatic moments, while ambient tracks provide a sense of calm reflection during exploration. It’s rare to see a score so intricately tied to a game’s emotional rhythm, and it elevates nearly every moment.
The sound design is equally effective, from the echoing clack of heels on marble floors to the whoosh of air as you dodge a boss’s sweeping blade. Some players may notice that music occasionally fades too abruptly during transitions or that background audio levels overpower dialogue in rare instances. Still, the overall presentation is excellent, and the score in particular stands alongside the best the genre has to offer.
Technical Stability and Polish
Expedition 33 is impressively polished. It runs well on both current-gen consoles and mid-range PCs, with minimal crashes or bugs. The most commonly noted technical issues include some lighting inconsistencies, a rare bug involving a quest-triggered boss not spawning until a conversation is repeated, and occasional auto-save hiccups. None of these issues break the game or undermine progress. Sandfall Interactive has also been responsive with post-launch patches, addressing community feedback quickly. Loading times are snappy, transitions between zones are smooth, and the UI is sleek and responsive, if a bit stylized for some players’ tastes.
Final Verdict
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare achievement: a turn-based RPG that feels modern and timeless in equal measure. It combines evocative art direction, emotionally grounded storytelling, and highly original combat into a cohesive experience that stands out in a crowded genre. While it may not be for everyone, its deliberate pacing, complex mechanics, and introspective tone require patience and attention; it rewards those who invest in its world. This isn’t just a well-made RPG; it’s a soulful, daring work of art that uses the medium to explore life, death, and everything in between. In a year packed with high-profile releases, Expedition 33 emerges as one of the most distinctive and memorable games of 2025 and possibly one of the best RPGs of the decade so far.
Rating: 9/10
Special thanks to Kepler Interactive for providing the review code.
© Images and screenshots used in this review are courtesy of Sandfall Interactive / Kepler Interactive.
Buy the Game
You can purchase Expedition 33 from the following official platforms:
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