Every now and then, a game comes along that doesn’t just impress me, it moves me. “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” didn’t just do that; it carved itself into my memory like a vivid dream I never want to wake from. It’s a work that transcends expectations, a debut title that somehow already feels like a legacy. And I mean that without even a hint of exaggeration. The premise alone was enough to reel me in: each year, the enigmatic Paintress awakens and paints a number on her monolith, a death sentence for anyone of that age. When that cursed brush threatens to sweep away those turning 33, a final expedition is formed to end her cruel cycle once and for all. What unfolds is a tale drenched in melancholy and beauty, one that explores mortality and defiance with unforgettable emotional weight.
From the very first steps with Gustave and Maelle, I was pulled into a world that felt completely, hauntingly alive. Inspired by Belle Époque France, every location in “Clair Obscur” is brimming with an eerie yet romantic elegance. The Island of Visages, with its stone faces peering from cliffs like frozen ghosts, and the Forgotten Battlefield, littered with remnants of lost hopes, these aren’t just backdrops, they’re paintings I got to walk through. It helps, of course, that the game runs on Unreal Engine 5, delivering graphics that are often nothing short of breathtaking. But “Clair Obscur” is far from a case of style over substance. Its turn-based combat system, infused with real-time mechanics, might be one of the most exciting evolutions of the genre I’ve ever experienced. Dodging at the right moment, parrying enemy strikes, and lining up skill shots with a free-aim system kept me engaged on a moment-to-moment basis. It’s a rare thing when every encounter, big or small, demands and rewards my full attention.
And let me tell you, the sense of customization here is deeply satisfying. Crafting builds for my Expeditioners based on gear, stats, and skill synergies made each victory feel uniquely mine. Whether I was chaining attack combos with perfect timing or narrowly escaping a devastating blow, every fight carried a rhythm and tension that felt choreographed but spontaneous. What truly elevates this game, though, is the emotional core beating beneath its surface. These characters aren’t just soldiers on a mission; they’re people wrestling with the certainty of death and the fragility of hope. As I followed the trail of past expeditions, learning their tragic fates, I began to feel the weight of this journey in my bones. The voice acting is top-tier across the board, with awesome talents such as Charlie Cox, Jennifer English, Andy Serkis, and a quickly blowing up voice actor in Ben Starr. But it’s also the writing, the subtle grief, the moments of levity, the camaraderie born from desperation, that struck me the hardest.
The soundtrack deserves its own paragraph. No, its own article. The score is an emotional symphony that heightens every moment of pain and triumph. I found myself just stopping sometimes, letting the music wash over me as the world around me glowed with surreal beauty. It’s one of those rare soundtracks I’ll be listening to long after the credits rolled. I can already see many of these tracks landing on people’s favorite Spotify playlists. Now, if I absolutely had to point out a flaw, it would be this: some of the game’s pre-rendered cutscenes are stuck at 1080p resolution, while the rest of the game operates in gorgeous 4K. In a game this visually rich, those moments stood out—but only because the rest is so utterly stunning. It’s a minor hiccup in a symphony of brilliance.
What Sandfall Interactive has accomplished with its very first title is nothing short of astonishing. “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” is the kind of game that makes me fall in love with RPGs all over again. It isn’t just about innovative combat or gorgeous visuals—it’s about heart. It’s about soul. It’s about the kind of emotional storytelling that lingers long after the controller is set down. It might not be perfect for everyone, but it was absolutely perfect for me, but I’m confident I won’t be alone in saying that. It gave me a world I didn’t want to leave, characters I felt honored to fight beside, and a story that will stay with me. If this is the beginning for Sandfall, I cannot wait to see where they go next. And I’ll be right there, day one, ready to return.
10/10
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Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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