Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or as it is called in Japan,«Something 33», from the French studio Sandfall Interactive, became a real hit after its release. On the first day, 500,000 copies of the game were sold, and it received high ratings from both critics and players.
We’ve prepared a short Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review to help you better understand what this game is about and whether it’s worth your attention.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review
Although Expedition 33 is made in the turn-based role-playing game genre, many classify it as a JRPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game) due to similarities in gameplay, visual style, and overall structure. The developers admitted they were inspired by the Final Fantasy and Persona series.
The release date of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was initially set for summer 2025. However, a rare event occurred in the video game industry when the developers did not delay the game’s release but instead moved it up to April 24.
The game already has a large number of fans and is receiving great feedback from players and critics. Many call Expedition 33 the best game in recent years.
The opinion about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 among many gamers and critics is the same – this game exceeded all expectations. Everything in it is excellent: the story is well-developed and keeps you on edge, the unique visual style is perfectly complemented by the game’s soundtracks. From a technical standpoint, the project also has no major issues. Of course, there are bugs, but compared to many other games, they are not numerous and do not spoil the overall gameplay experience.
All about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 we have analyzed in this article, so let’s get down to the details.
Plot
The events of Expedition 33 take place in a dark fantasy world set during the Belle Époque period. It is generally considered to be the period between 1871 and 1914. According to the creators’ concept, 67 years before the events of the game, a rupture occurred, which caused a large monolith and a goddess — called The Painter — to appear in Lumière. Then a phenomenon called the Hommage began: every year, the goddess would paint a number on the monolith, starting from 100, with the number decreasing each time. People who reached the age shown on the monolith would disappear, which put humanity on the brink of extinction.
When the people of Lumière realized what was happening, they began organizing expeditions. Their goal was to find a way to stop The Painter and prevent her from writing the next number. We play as the team of protagonists who embark on Expedition 33 to stop the goddess.
In how the story unfolds, much depends on the player. You have to talk to different characters, engage with their dialogues, and interact with the environment. This allows for maximum immersion and helps you fully understand the story.
The developers succeeded in making the dialogues in Expedition 33 feel natural. Players get the sense that characters talk like real people — they pause in their phrases, react emotionally, and try to use natural language. Also, the dialogues directly affect the course of the game, not just character development. The player can make decisions during conversations that change the course of events — new paths may open up, or the relationships between characters may be influenced. By improving relationships with companions, you can receive additional cosmetic or useful items.
The story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been well received by many players. However, some gamers note that the story contains a certain lack of clarity and that some moments are not clearly explained.
Characters
The main participants of Expedition 33 are Gustave, Maelle, Lune, and Sciel; other heroes join them throughout the journey. Each character has unique abilities and a personal story, making the gameplay more diverse and the story deeper.
Gustave – he can be considered the main protagonist. He lost his beloved Sophie, who reached the age of 33, which led him to embark on the expedition, as he has one year left to live and wants to protect the children of Lumière. Gustave is an engineer, and his combat abilities are based on the use of a mechanical arm and a pistol.
Maelle – Gustave’s younger adopted sister, who joined the expedition at the age of 16 because she simply wanted to leave Lumière in search of freedom and self-discovery, as she never felt this city was her home. She is a fencer who uses three different stances that allow her to adapt to the course of a duel.
Lune is trying to complete her parents’ research, who sought to uncover the secrets of the “Artist.” She is also responsible for the expedition’s route, which adds pressure on her. Lune wields magic and can control five elements, allowing her to manipulate the battlefield.
Sciel went from being a farmer to a warrior. She has a dark past she had to come to terms with. Now she is not afraid to die because she has accepted the cruelty of the world and is ready to do anything for the expedition’s success. Sciel uses the energy of the Sun and Moon for her attacks.
Verso – a mysterious foreigner who claims to be a member of the first expedition. However, his true intentions remain a mystery to the members of Expedition 33. With successful attacks and dodging enemy blows, Verso raises his ranking, which allows him to deal more damage.
Monoko – he belongs to the Hestral creatures but can speak the human language. His passion for battle prompted him to join the Expedition 33 team. His combat arsenal grows after defeating enemies, allowing him to adapt to events on the battlefield.
The voice cast of the game further helps to reveal the characters. For example, Gustave is voiced by Charlie Cox, who played Daredevil in the Netflix series of the same name based on Marvel comics. Lune received her voice from Kirsty Ryder, who appeared in the series “The Sandman.” Andy Serkis, known for his role as Gollum in the “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, voiced Renoir. Other voice actors include:
- Jennifer English (Maelle) voiced Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Shala Nix (Sciel) has voiced in projects such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (Farida Nazeri), Diablo IV, and many others.
- Ben Starr (Verso) played Clive in Final Fantasy XVI.
- Rich Keeble (Monoko) – a British film and voice actor, worked on projects like Total War: Warhammer, the series Good Omens, and others.
- Maxence Cazorla (Eski) – a French actor.
Progression System in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The progression system in Expedition 33 does not function in the typical manner familiar to many, where a player needs to fulfill a certain condition and unlock a skill. Here, everything is much deeper — the developers used all possible methods to keep the player fully immersed in the game world. It often happens that new abilities appear after certain choices in the story and the direction in which the narrative is moving.
In the game, it is important to have good relationships with all members of the expedition, as the success of battles heavily depends on this. Relationship development occurs through dialogues, various moral dilemmas, and shared experiences. If you stay silent at the right moment or choose the right words, it will affect how characters perceive the player. This can unlock new attack combinations, reveal new information, or provide bonuses.
In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there is no classic reputation system for heroes. As mentioned earlier, everything is more based on the level of relationships between characters. Interaction with NPCs also takes place through various quests and dialogues. It doesn’t matter which character you use to interact with NPCs — the reaction will be the same.
Now let’s look at the classic progression elements in the Expedition of the 33. Each character can be leveled up to level 99. With each level-up, the hero receives 3 points, which can be used to improve one of five attributes:
- Vitality – responsible for the maximum health level.
- Strength – responsible for physical power.
- Agility – affects your speed during combat.
- Defense – developing this attribute reduces incoming damage.
- Luck – this attribute determines the chance of a critical hit.
Characters also have passive artifacts called Pictos. They vary: offensive, defensive, tactical, etc. A character can wear three artifacts at once, which are obtained by completing missions or simply found in locations.
If you actively use one of the artifacts, it will improve. Over time, it evolves to such a level that it becomes Luminas, a universal skill for all characters, depending on the bonuses provided by the artifact.
The game also features Chroma Catalysts — resources that can be found in various locations and are used to enhance weapons.
Combat System in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
The combat in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can’t be called overly difficult; it’s more of a medium-level challenge. However, for successful battles, the player needs good reflexes and precise button presses.
The system itself combines classic turn-based JRPG combat with real-time player engagement, requiring active participation in the fight. All attacks, defense actions, and other moves are implemented through QTE (Quick Time Events). The success of your attack or defense depends on how accurately the player presses the right buttons.
Each hero has Action Points (AP), which are consumed for various actions during battle. This requires careful AP management to ensure they last through the fight. AP can be replenished with basic attacks or parries. This approach prevents players from constantly using powerful moves.
During combat, you can use only three out of six characters. If all members of the first squad fall, you have the chance to continue the battle with the other trio. Therefore, it’s important to level up all characters evenly and make smart choices when selecting the team for a fight.
The game also features a Style Rank system that evaluates battle performance. You can increase your rank by executing precise attacks, successful combos, and avoiding enemy damage. Higher ranks grant additional bonuses to damage, speed, or abilities.
The depth of the combat system is enhanced by each character having unique skills. Thus, players must learn how to combine them effectively and think strategically. Carefully choosing the right characters for certain enemy types also increases your chances of winning.
Enemies in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are varied, and bosses have unique mechanics, adding an element of unpredictability to each encounter. Therefore, players need to be ready to change their strategy mid-battle to adapt to enemy behavior.
In short, the combat system requires precision and speed. To win, you must stay focused on what’s happening on the battlefield, react quickly to strike and defend effectively, and plan several steps ahead. The game includes multiple difficulty modes, including a Story Mode with simplified or automated timings, making it easier to progress. This mode is ideal for players who want to focus primarily on the narrative.
Map in Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 does not feature an open world. The map has a semi-open structure, divided into zones with their own characteristics. Additionally, there is no mini-map for navigating the locations — players must orient themselves using the environment and search for paths to the next areas. Of course, there are hints through various lighting effects, and companions can also help point the way. There are many hidden passages as well, which can be discovered by straying from the main path or through interactions with NPCs.
The overall style of the game’s map combines beauty and post-apocalypse. The creators designed the environment to enhance emotional resonance and constantly keep players on edge. The map is filled with various enemies that blend into the surroundings, making their appearances truly unexpected.
Players shouldn’t be afraid to stray from the main route — only by being attentive and unhurried can they uncover all the secrets hidden in the world of Expedition 33.
Quests in Expedition 33
Quests in Expedition 33 are not designed merely to be completed for a reward. Through them, the developers reveal the full depth and tragic history of the island of Lumière. Most importantly, there is no clear division between main and side quests. Each quest provides a piece of the puzzle that contributes to the bigger picture of the world.
Every new quest helps to further develop the characters of the expedition. There is no right path here, and nothing is as black and white as it may seem at first glance. That’s why it’s important to think through your choices and be cautious with them.
The developers created a system where even after meeting a quest’s requirements, the consequences of its completion may echo several chapters later or significantly affect a region. It can be said that through quests, the game speaks to the player and tries to immerse them as deeply as possible in its story.
Graphics
The first look at Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 allowed many to see just how visually stunning the project is, immediately standing out among other games. As mentioned earlier, the visual inspiration comes from the Belle Époque era, with elements of Impressionism and Surrealism.
Expedition 33 uses the Unreal Engine 5 game engine. The graphics are truly outstanding and convey the atmosphere the creators envisioned. Critics have noted that the visuals, animations, and direction are all top-tier. However, there are, of course, some technical aspects — some players report frame rate issues when in open areas. To address this, blur effects are often applied to certain zones, which can be noticeable.
The animation has been praised by many players for its level of detail. In battles, the characters’ movements are smooth, yet maintain a strong sense of dynamism.
Sound Design
The composer of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is Lorian Testard, who had never worked with video games before. He joined the project thanks to SoundCloud, where he was discovered by the game’s director, Guillaume Broche.
Testard composed over 150 different pieces, spanning a wide range of genres from orchestral to jazz. The music in the game is not merely background; it reflects the emotional state of the protagonist and enhances the atmosphere of each scene. Sound effects also play a crucial role in the game mechanics. They can help the player find their way, highlight a narrative element in a location, or assist in timely reactions to enemy attacks during combat.
Another fact that underscores the quality of the game’s sound design is that the Expedition 33 soundtrack reached the number one spot on the Billboard chart during the first week of May 2025 — in two categories: Classical Music and Classical Crossover Music.
Will there be a continuation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
Game director Guillaume Broche said that the studio is currently not working on a sequel or expansion for Expedition 33. The team is focused on improving the main game to bring it to perfection.
Clair Obscur writer Jennifer Swoberg-Yen said that she considers the story in the game to be complete. However, it is not excluded that the universe itself could be further explored if players are interested. At the same time, she noted that Sandfall Interactive currently has no specific plans.
So, a continuation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 should not be expected in the near future, but anything is possible over time.
Summary
During the review, we repeatedly mentioned the depth and atmosphere of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The developers did everything to ensure that the story and unconventional gameplay would allow the player to get the most enjoyment from the game. And we can confidently say that they succeeded. At the same time, the game has no major technical issues—they are almost completely absent.
The Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gameplay is excellent and well-developed. It never feels like the creators tried to stuff the project with too many things without knowing how to combine them. Everything is balanced, which allows players to be immersed in the world’s story while also enjoying the battles, soundtrack, and artistic style.
All this confirms the success of the game. As we mentioned at the beginning, Expedition 33 sold 500,000 copies on launch day. Twelve days later, the studio Sandfall Interactive reported that the game had reached 12 million copies sold.
On the review aggregators Metacritic and OpenCritic, the game holds a score of 92 out of 100 from critics.
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 did not go unnoticed by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who congratulated the developers from Sandfall Interactive on a successful release. On his Instagram page, he wrote: “One million copies sold, and it’s one of the best-rated games in history—and yes, it’s French! Congratulations to Sandfall Interactive and the creators of Expedition 33. You make France’s creativity and boldness shine across the world.”
So, for fans of the RPG genre, especially JRPGs, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must-play. And even for those who simply enjoy good games, this project is definitely worth the time—it won’t leave you disappointed.
