Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut game from Sandfall Interactive is seriously impressive for such a small study with humble beginnings. If you love the deep storytelling of a great JRPG but crave combat that keeps you on your toes, you need to check this out.
The premise alone grabs you: a world inspired by the beautiful, decaying aesthetic of Belle Époque France, where a sentient “Paintress” marks a stone Monolith once a year. The number she paints determines the maximum age—and everyone at or above that age simply fades away. With the number now at 33, a group of survivors (Expedition 33) sets out on a suicide mission to kill the Paintress before they, too, are erased. The story is immediately emotionally heavy, dealing with grief, fate, and defiance, but the cast dynamics (shout out to the bickering duo, Verso and Monoco) and witty dialogue keep a genuine warmth and charm running through the bleakness.
But the real showstopper is the combat. This is a turn-based RPG, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can relax and watch animations. It’s an “active turn-based” system where defense relies entirely on your reflexes. When an enemy attacks, you have a tight window to dodge or parry in real-time. Mastering the parry is key, as it not only negates damage but also rewards you with action points, bringing a rhythm and intensity usually reserved for action games like Sekiro. Every single fight feels high-stakes and utterly exhilarating.
Visually, it’s a jaw-dropper. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the world is lush, stylish, and dripping with French-fantasy atmosphere—think crumbling manors and distorted Eiffel Tower relics. Add to that a critically acclaimed soundtrack by Lorien Testard that is just phenomenal, and you have an experience that is firing on all cylinders.
Expedition 33 takes the classic JRPG formula and injects it with a fresh, demanding, real-time energy. It’s a must-play for anyone looking for a unique aesthetic, a rich narrative, and combat that you’ll be talking about for a long time.
The premise alone grabs you: a world inspired by the beautiful, decaying aesthetic of Belle Époque France, where a sentient “Paintress” marks a stone Monolith once a year. The number she paints determines the maximum age—and everyone at or above that age simply fades away. With the number now at 33, a group of survivors (Expedition 33) sets out on a suicide mission to kill the Paintress before they, too, are erased. The story is immediately emotionally heavy, dealing with grief, fate, and defiance, but the cast dynamics (shout out to the bickering duo, Verso and Monoco) and witty dialogue keep a genuine warmth and charm running through the bleakness.
But the real showstopper is the combat. This is a turn-based RPG, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can relax and watch animations. It’s an “active turn-based” system where defense relies entirely on your reflexes. When an enemy attacks, you have a tight window to dodge or parry in real-time. Mastering the parry is key, as it not only negates damage but also rewards you with action points, bringing a rhythm and intensity usually reserved for action games like Sekiro. Every single fight feels high-stakes and utterly exhilarating.
Visually, it’s a jaw-dropper. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the world is lush, stylish, and dripping with French-fantasy atmosphere—think crumbling manors and distorted Eiffel Tower relics. Add to that a critically acclaimed soundtrack by Lorien Testard that is just phenomenal, and you have an experience that is firing on all cylinders.
Expedition 33 takes the classic JRPG formula and injects it with a fresh, demanding, real-time energy. It’s a must-play for anyone looking for a unique aesthetic, a rich narrative, and combat that you’ll be talking about for a long time.
Story
Graphics
Music
Monoco
Summary
It’s a must-play for anyone looking for a unique aesthetic, a rich narrative, and combat that you’ll be talking about for a long time.
