Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the debut title of Sandfall Interactive, which sounds absolutely ridiculous after what I just experienced.

It’s a modern masterpiece, a near-perfect combination of the roots of turn-based RPG’s with the modern splendor offered by the latest gaming technologies.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review

I loved my time during my preview of Expedition 33, but while I initially came for the turn-based combat and the glorious world map, I returned for the story.

Expedition 33 is a once-in-a-generation event. A narrative that hits so hard, you simply stare as the credits roll, pondering the events that just took place.

This title pays host to a thought-provoking tale, one of which I will not spoil even a single note, but the character and voiceover work is stellar.

Expedition 33 features truly exemplary performances by the entire cast.

Even now, I feel the emotional connection with the characters, the gorgeous game world, the twists, and turns of the plot. Very few RPGs outside the 90s and 00s Final Fantasy games had a story that will sit with me like this one, and I only hope others find the same enjoyment in its efforts.

Expedition 33 features six playable characters, each boasting a unique approach to combat. Even in the post-game and New Game Plus, I’m still learning many of the characters, mastering only a couple.

Which works out great, because the exploration really explodes once the credits roll.

The skill system is as thrilling as it is rewarding, offering a constant sense of discovery through unique and powerful combinations scattered across the game world.

Pictos provide characters with stat buffs and unique passive abilities, passive abilities that can be mastered through combat and then applied to any character va Lumina Points, without needing the Pictos.

It’s a simple system, but one that is so effective at giving the player near complete creative control in how characters are built and combos are nurtured.

This builds upon on an already impressive combat system that offers the best hybrid of real-time and turn-based that I’ve ever seen.

Expedition 33 effortlessly blends the strategic and tactical nature of the very best turn-based games with the thrilling and rewarding skill-based elements of real-time combat.

The real-time elements of the combat are more impressive than the turn-based, which feels strange to say from someone who prefers the turn-based style. Players are given several defensive tools that rely on timing to succeed, both offensively and defensively.

Dodge is the more forgiving and easier to use, while Parry requires more specific timing, but rewards the player with AP – the mana-like system of the game. The skilled usage of the defensive mechanics is so transformative of the combat system, it’s about as satisfying as a video game can be.

As the game continues and more enemies are introduced, additional defensive options become available, keeping things fresh and challenging.

Mastering enemy animations and movements, the near melodic nature of their attacks, all to boost your combat potential on the next turn and unleash devastating combos – everything in Expedition 33 is incredible.

Leaning on the nostalgia of 90s and 00s RPGs, Expedition 33’s world map is a pure pleasure to explore. As players unlock new travel abilities, they’ll also find new areas to discover, new boss battles to tackle, and new secrets just waiting to be revealed

Between the challenging nature of the combat system and the scope of the world map itself, fully enjoying the treasures it offers is likely to double the 25-35 hours of the main campaign.

I’m sitting around 44 hours in Expedition 33, and still have several world bosses that are going to need hours more levelling to take down and a few areas to explore – although some will remain that way.

There is no local map for any of the regions in the game. While irrelevant in many areas, due to the linear nature of a lot of the zones, others become a frustrating memory game of trying to memorize the twisting and turning paths, navigating fog-filled pathways just hoping to find the way forward.

It’s a minor blemish on an otherwise flawless turn-based RPG experience.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a work of art. Its flawless hybrid combat system joins a cast of characters that tells a story rivaling the very best this medium has ever offered.

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