Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review with Final Fantasy Vibes

Recently, I’ve found myself somewhat disillusioned with AAA games. They often feel repetitive, characterized by hefty budgets, inflated expectations, and a lack of genuine passion. However, when a AA game unexpectedly emerges, clearly crafted with love and dedication, it offers a refreshing change of pace that reinvigorates my enthusiasm for gaming.

This game is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the inaugural title from the French studio Sandfall Interactive. As a Western JRPG that openly embraces its influences from iconic titles like Final Fantasy and Persona, it first captured attention during the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024. Since then, it has steadily gained traction due to its stunning visuals and a combat system that brilliantly combines turn-based mechanics with real-time elements.

After dedicating 24 hours to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on the PS5, I can assert that the excitement surrounding this title is justified, as it truly delivers on its promises.

Embark on the Most Epic Adventure Yet

While the title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may invite some light-hearted jokes, it’s anything but subtle. The name becomes clearer as you delve into the game’s narrative. Set within a fantastical, living canvas of a world, players assume the role of Gustave, portrayed by Daredevil: Born Again’s Charlie Cox. He resides in the fragmented city of Lumière and is part of a group known as Expedition 33.

In this universe, every year, a mysterious, god-like entity known as The Paintress inscribes a number onto her monolith. This number signifies the age of individuals who will be erased from existence that year, referred to as the gommage (French for “erased”). The twist is that this number decreases annually — and at the game’s outset, it stands at 33.

This is where Expedition 33 plays a crucial role. It comprises volunteers who are all 32 years old, meaning they have precisely one year left before their number is called. Each year, a new Expedition sets out in a desperate attempt to thwart The Paintress and break the cycle of erasure. This tradition has persisted for approximately a century.

As anticipated, the latest Expedition encounters immediate complications. The situation spirals out of control due to the sudden appearance of Renoir, a mysterious older figure who effectively steamrolls the group. Gustave manages to survive and joins forces with the remaining members: Lune, a curious mage and scholar; Sciel, a calm and amicable fighter; and Maelle, Gustave’s adopted sister/daughter, a spirited 16-year-old eager to explore the world while she still has time.

Throughout your journey, you will encounter a diverse cast of quirky, unforgettable characters, but I won’t spoil those moments here. Just know that the writing is impactful, blending surreal, poetic world-building with emotionally grounded storytelling. While it occasionally indulges in melodrama, it does so genuinely and effectively.

The characters are crafted with depth and motivation, serving as more than mere conduits for witty dialogue. Gustave’s primary goal is to locate Maelle and return home safely. Lune is determined to see the mission through, regardless of the obstacles. Sciel, having already faced loss in her life, appears surprisingly at ease with the concept of death and simply goes with the flow.

Although they don’t always see eye to eye, when conflicts arise, they communicate like adults. There are no sarcastic comments or forced humor — just individuals under immense pressure, striving to navigate their circumstances as best they can. I appreciated that the writers trusted players to absorb the narrative without excessive exposition.

Admittedly, a few plot developments near the conclusion felt somewhat unconvincing. They aren’t dealbreakers, but enough to warrant a moment of reflection, prompting me to think, “hmm, really?” Still, I remained engaged in the experience. For a game centered on storytelling, this is among the few criticisms I can offer. Regarding the world itself, the game intentionally leaves much unexplained.

Characters frequently discuss Gesterals as if it were common knowledge (which was new to me), and it seems that every child in Lumière was raised on the legendary tales of Esquie — whatever that entails. This is all deliberate; there’s a broader narrative at play, but be warned: if you feel the game hasn’t clarified a single concept, you’re not mistaken.

Battle for a Brighter Future

Credit: Sandfall Interactive / Kepler Interactive

I’ve never been particularly drawn to the high fantasy genre. Whether it’s due to a lack of creativity or simply an abundance of poor writing, it typically doesn’t resonate with me. However, Expedition 33 has shifted that perspective. The world is so intricately designed that I found myself completely immersed once the narrative unfolded.

Expedition 33 employs a turn-based action format with some light RTS mechanics. Players take turns engaging enemies, but quick-time events can amplify damage during your actions. Timing is also crucial when defending; dodging and parrying attacks is essential for survival.

However, I found the dodge and parry system to be a significant source of frustration. The timing of enemy attacks often felt as if it were deliberately designed to be irritating. Late-game bosses, in particular, utilize misleading attacks and erratic patterns, making timely reactions unnecessarily challenging. This design reminded me of Elden Ring, where bosses seem to adapt to player inputs, altering their combinations mid-animation. Additionally, I accidentally played a substantial portion of the game in Quality mode at 30FPS, which exacerbated the already tight response windows.

Performance on the PS5 was mostly stable, with a few minor technical issues. The sound design was inconsistent — transitions during cutscenes occasionally felt off, and during battles, the music would sometimes abruptly cut out, as if the audio file had run out and wasn’t set to loop. While this isn’t a major flaw, it’s noticeable enough to mention.

The combat mechanics in Expedition 33 will be familiar to anyone who has played a classic JRPG. During their turn, each party member can utilize items, execute a basic attack, or activate special abilities that consume Attack Points (AP). Each character boasts an expansive skill tree, enabling you to tailor their playstyle to your preferences.

Gustave functions like a paladin — he can deal significant damage while also providing passive buffs to support his teammates. His signature ability, Overcharge, builds energy within his mechanical arm with each strike. Once it accumulates to 10 charges, he can unleash a devastating electric strike for substantial damage.

Credit: Sandfall Interactive / Kepler Interactive

Lune assumes the role of the mage. She has access to healing spells while heavily specializing in elemental damage. Her unique system, Stain, allows her to stack magical effects, which she can then convert into enhanced attacks or more potent healing spells.

Maelle embodies the rogue archetype. She utilizes various stances to amplify her damage output, although each stance also increases the amount of damage she receives in return. This creates a high-risk, high-reward dynamic.

Sciel completes the party as the warrior. Her unique mechanic, Foretell, revolves around Sun and Moon cards. She applies these effects in combat and can consume them to enter a Twilight phase, temporarily boosting her damage output, sometimes doubling or tripling it.

Only three characters can participate in battle simultaneously, making party composition essential. However, it doesn’t take long to determine which characters excel and which can be left out. The design of enemies is one of the game’s standout features. The creations of The Paintress, known as Nevrons, morph based on their surroundings, and the art direction is genuinely impressive.

In one early area called Flying Waters — a visually stunning inverted seafloor with an ocean suspended above — the Nevrons take on the appearance of crab-like sea creatures donning antique diving helmets. While they may not significantly alter their attack patterns, their aesthetic is captivating and perfectly aligns with the game’s surreal theme.

The most challenging foes are the flying enemies. Standard attacks and most skills cannot affect them. Instead, players must employ a mechanic known as Free Aim, allowing manual targeting and shooting of enemies. This is also the sole method to strike weak points or apply marks, making targets more susceptible to follow-up damage. However, every shot expends AP, making it crucial to use this mechanic strategically.

The game sometimes leans too heavily on this mechanic. Certain areas are dominated by flying enemies, and since they cannot be hit by standard attacks or skills, the options available to players can become frustratingly limited.

Credit: Sandfall Interactive / Kepler Interactive

The final crucial layer of Expedition 33’s combat system is represented by Pictos and Luminas. Pictos act as passive enhancements that can be equipped — each character has three slots available. These range from basic boosts, such as allowing a character to act first in combat or increasing healing efficacy, to more strategic options that grant additional AP for executing a perfect dodge.

Then we have Luminas, which introduce a compelling twist. After winning four battles with a Picto equipped, players gain the ability to permanently add it to a character using Lumina points. For instance, if you are using the “Dodger” Picto, which grants +1 AP for achieving a perfect dodge, you can spend a Lumina point to retain that bonus indefinitely, even while equipping a different Picto in that slot.

Lumina points can be upgraded at camps with items collected throughout the game world. This creates a robust system that encourages experimentation without locking you into a single build. The more you engage with it, the more powerful your team becomes, and the greater your flexibility in combat.

Weapons are also upgradable, but this aspect felt the least engaging in terms of character progression. As you discover or enhance weapons, they come with passive bonuses and elemental effects — some of which are useful, while others are situational. Although it’s beneficial to swap them out depending on your adversaries, the weapon system pales in comparison to the depth found in Pictos, Luminas, and skill trees.

Venture into a Captivating World

Credit: Sandfall Interactive / Kepler Interactive

The world beyond Lumière is a bizarre yet captivating place that feels both alien and familiar. Floating islands hover in the sky, encircled by swirling clouds and eerie glowing lights. Lush forests and fields blend with ancient ruins and overgrown technology, creating an environment that feels both inhabited and enigmatic. One area features serene meadows and flowers, while another is strewn with colossal broken machines and glowing coral-like formations.

This peculiar mix works remarkably well. The environments themselves tell a story, even when nothing is occurring. One moment, you might find yourself standing in a tranquil glade blanketed in violet wildflowers, and the next, you’re navigating a biomechanical graveyard filled with the remnants of massive constructs and crystalline growths. It’s a vivid visual experience, yet it retains just enough grounded realism to make you feel as if you could step into this world.

Exploration will inevitably draw comparisons to Final Fantasy X, and those comparisons are largely accurate. The areas initially appear vast and open, but they tend to be linear with only a few branching paths. Occasionally, you’ll discover a side character hidden away or stumble upon a group of unsettling mime-like enemies that seem to have wandered in from a nightmare. However, don’t anticipate wide-open zones or extensive side quests in the early stages.

Between these locations, you traverse a tilt-shifted overworld map. This provides a refreshing visual change, and it serves a purpose — the overworld features enemy encounters and various NPCs to interact with. Most of these characters are Gestrals, quirky creatures modeled after wooden drawing mannequins. Though somewhat dim-witted, they are exceptionally friendly and thrive on combat. Players can engage in trades with them and sometimes challenge them to battles for bonus loot.

The overworld remains somewhat restricted until Act 3, at which point it finally opens up, revealing numerous optional dungeons and additional areas to explore. Until then, the focus is primarily on traveling from point A to B, meeting eccentric characters, and occasionally engaging them in combat for treasure.

While traversing the continent, players can occasionally set up camp. This is where you can rest, upgrade your Luminas, and enhance your weapons with the assistance of the Curator — a skeletal, hollow figure who rescues Maelle early in the game and later resides in your camp after leaving The Manor. He may be somewhat unsettling to behold, but he certainly makes your weapons more powerful.

The camp also provides an opportunity to connect with your party members. However, don’t expect the level of character interaction found in Baldur’s Gate 3. Dialogue options are limited, and much of the deeper camp-related content doesn’t unlock until well into Act 2. While I cannot divulge too much without revealing spoilers, it’s worth noting that even when it does open up, the camp system offers only a light touch. Nonetheless, it serves as a calming interlude between the game’s more intense segments, allowing for a moment of connection among the group.

A Stunning Audio-Visual Experience

Despite some sound-related issues, the music in Expedition 33 is exceptional. The orchestral strings, moody piano melodies — everything just works. The soundtrack enhances every moment, whether it’s a serene stroll through a dreamlike landscape or a harrowing boss encounter that tests your reflexes and decision-making.

Visually, the game stands strong as well. Beyond its high fantasy setting, it draws heavily from the Belle Époque era of France, a period considered the golden age of the nation from 1874 to 1914. If it wasn’t already apparent, this game is unapologetically French. The city of Lumière essentially serves as a reimagined Paris. (“Lumière” translates to “light,” and Paris is often referred to as the City of Lights — subtlety is not its strong suit.)

Even in Performance mode on the PS5, the game impresses visually. The world design is stunning, brimming with painterly details, and the environments feel like they were crafted to double as PC wallpapers. The paint-themed aesthetic extends to character and enemy design, often drawing inspiration from art history. Don’t be surprised when a YouTube video essay titled “An Art Historian Plays Clair Obscur” surfaces in the future.

In summary, the game strikes a chord in all the right ways.

Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Worth Playing?

Credit: Sandfall Interactive / Kepler Interactive

Expedition 33 is not without its flaws — combat can be frustrating, particularly with the parry system and the challenges posed by flying enemies, and some of the more intricate mechanics don’t fully reveal themselves until later in the gameplay. Nonetheless, what Sandfall Interactive has crafted here is genuinely distinctive.

The story unfolds gradually yet rewards players with rich, well-developed characters who do not resort to quips to deflect serious moments. The world is strange, stylish, and unapologetically French, underpinned by a captivating soundtrack and painterly visuals that make even the quieter moments feel deliberate.

While it may not be flawless, it is bold, eccentric, and brimming with heart. If you appreciate character-driven RPGs with a unique atmosphere and are willing to overlook a few rough edges, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is certainly deserving of your time.