Created by Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a fantasy and action RPG that combines the experience of both nostalgic and new RPGs. Set in the French city of Lumiere, the story follows a group of survivors who go on a dangerous expedition to bring an end to the evil Paintress’s reign. Although the story may sound simple, Expedition 33 is filled with deadly yet sophisticated monsters and intense challenges.
With just a few weeks left for the release, Clair Obscur Expedition 33 has been picking up attention for its unique storyline and stunning graphics. Here’s why Clair Obscur Expedition 33 might just be one of the best games to release in 2025.
Fascinating Storyline: The Paintress & The Expedition
While there isn’t a shortage of video games with great storylines, and Clair Obscur does look likely to join this list. Every year, the Paintress brings death to Lumiere by writing a number on her Monolith. Anyone older than that number turns to dust and never comes back. The people of the city can only send out expeditions, hoping to stop the Paintress and end her curse.
This year, the number was 33, and everyone older than this number had passed away, including someone close to our main protagonists. A day after this number was written, Expedition 33 departs, hoping to defeat the Paintress once and for all.
This group is then expected to combat strong and cunning monsters and overcome many challenges before they reach the goal. As the story goes on, you’ll see that there’s another mystery going on in the background. An old man, who ends up wiping out nearly everyone in Expedition 33, watches your every move. Where he came from and why he hasn’t died yet are questions that won’t be answered until later in the story.
According to RPGSite’s interview with Francois Meurisse of Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur’s name is taken from the popular art style from 17th-18th Century called “Chiaroscuro”. This RPG has more of an artistic side to it, with the title eventually explaining everything as players complete the game.
The characters in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 aren’t your typical young heroes who rush into danger without a clue. They are much older (despite everyone above 33 dying), reflecting a more experienced and mature group.
Their dialogues and thoughts are often relatable, giving players a deeper understanding of the characters. Gustave and Lune will be the first characters we’ll be introduced to, and even though they don’t seem to get along, they do anything they can to keep the expedition moving forward.
The protagonists also include Monoco and Esquie, two non-human characters who will be helping the humans during their mission. Monoco is a Gestral who has learnt to speak like humans and is eager to help just because he loves battle. Esquie, on the other hand, is a playful character who might even serve as a mount. You can also upgrade Esquie and explore new places together.
Despite not being an AAA title, Clair Obscur Expedition 33 has managed to generate a lot of interest, currently ranking 29th on Steam wishlists. It also has around 52k Followers, with more than 2k people being added to this list everyday.
Exquisite World Building: Set In the French Belle Époque Era
Besides the intriguing storyline and characters, the world of Clair Obscur Expedition 33 stands out as something truly unique. It combines the influence of both Japanese and French games and has a very Steampunk aesthetic.
The storyline of Expedition 33 is set in a world similar to that of the French Belle Époque era, a time known for its detailed architecture. In an interview with Unreal Engine, developer Guillermin revealed that the Belle Époque era, along with various other inspirations, was a driving force behind the creation of this game. With the help of art director Nicholas Maxson-Francombe, Guillaume and Guillermin were able to bring fans a French fantasy world made of unique and interesting art style.
“Belle Époque” quite literally means “Beautiful Age“, so be ready to be completely mesmerized by its locations and buildings.
Though not a completely open-world game, Clair Obscur is still vast and detailed. Guillermin talks about it being a small, open world of its own. Sandfall Interactive’s graphics will leave you in awe, making you pause and admire the scenic backdrops each time you enter a new area. As the expeditioners voyage into the mysterious and cursed lands, there’ll be a lot of new spots and creatures you’ll come across.
Solid Voice Cast Behind Each Character
Several well-known actors bring the characters of this game to life with their voices. The All-Star cast includes Charlie Cox, who plays the role of Matt Murdock in Daredevil, Jennifer English, who’s been the voice behind Shadow Heart from Baldur’s Gate III, and Rich Keeble, who’s voiced Marcel Dupont from New World Aeternum. Here’s a detailed look at the voice cast of Clair Obscur Expedition 33.
Reminiscent of Nostalgic Turn-Based RPGs
Another Special thing about Clair Obscur is the mechanics it follows. The combat is primarily turn-based, which is something we’ve mostly seen in retro Japanese games or the Final Fantasy series. The overall look and feel is a clear inspiration from the Persona series & Metaphor ReFantazio from Atlus Studios.
At the same time, the game also has you responding in real-time to enemy attacks, and you can dodge, parry, or jump to avoid attacks, just like in souls-like games. Besides making battle more immersive, this also allows you to come up with better strategies and avoid constant deaths. Some of the tougher fights in the game require the use of all of these mechanics, showing just how much your choices and timing can influence the outcome.
You can also add special effects to your characters using Lumina. These perks allow you to further customize your powers and skills. There are around 20 skills that you can unlock for each character. This gives you the chance to create a group of expeditioners that are tailored to your playstyle.
Clair Obscur offers a great story, features interesting characters, and has amazing visuals. The turn-based combat and customization options let you create your own strategies. With a talented voice cast and a beautifully designed world, this game might just be one of the most awaited releases this year.
Sandfall Interactive will be releasing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on April 24th, 2025 for console and PC. If you’re a fan of RPGs, this game is going to be your next obsession.
