Recreation Title: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Platforms:

PC (Apr 24, 2025) PlayStation 5 (Apr 24, 2025) Xbox Sequence X/S (Apr 24, 2025)

Trailer:

Developer: Sandfall Interactive

Writer: Kepler Interactive

Overview Aggregator:

OpenCritic – 91 common – 96% really useful – 85 critiques

Critic Critiques

Atarita – Alparslan Gürlek – Turkish – 75 / 100

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 creates a touching expertise with its partaking plot, nice narrative and glorious soundtrack, however its gamification issues hindered its potential.

However Why Tho? – Arron Kluz – 7 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a reliable new JRPG with which style followers will doubtless be happy. Nevertheless, it does little or no to iterate on the inspiration laid by those who got here earlier than it. As a substitute, it’s content material to supply its taste of what has labored earlier than.

CGMagazine – Chris De Hoog – 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a master-crafted RPG, mixing a number of developments right into a hybrid system that's as unrelenting as its heart-wrenching plot.

Capsule Computer systems – Dustin Spencer – 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an formidable tackle an previous style that’s simply as gratifying to take a look at as it’s to interact in. A brand new franchise is born.

Cerealkillerz – Nick Erlenhof – German – 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a particular role-playing recreation that is stuffed with love and fervour. It's lovely, the soundtrack is a splendor, the battles at all times problem you with out being unfair or shedding the enjoyable and the story gives an unusually grownup strategy. With nice performing performances, hard-hitting twists and every kind of endgame content material, you'll have enjoyable for a very long time. Should you've ever deliberate to play an RPG, play this one.

Checkpoint Gaming – Charlie Kelly – 10 / 10

Blasting the door down and turning into an on the spot masterpiece basic, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 defies all expectations and ambitions after which some. many years of style refinement and someway nonetheless managing to innovate, creating immensely tactical, thought-provoking and wealthy fight is nothing wanting a miracle achieved by the hands of Sandfall Interactive. Accompanying it’s a completely contemporary and luxurious world stuffed with wonders and sweetness, even regardless of its intricate and infrequently harrowing narrative that may maintain you on the sting of your seat. Like Chrono Set off, Ultimate Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and so many RPGs which have come earlier than it, the little expedition that might will probably be plastered throughout historical past with the greats. Bravo.

Console-Tribe – Luca Saati – Italian – 90 / 100

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a uncommon gem — the type of recreation that rekindles your love for the medium. With a deep fight system, a shifting story, and a shocking creative course, it stands out in right now’s gaming panorama. It's not with out flaws, particularly in exploration, however what it achieves in emotion, design, and gameplay greater than makes up for it. Should you’re on the lookout for a JRPG-inspired expertise with a daring creative soul and heartfelt storytelling, it is a journey you gained’t need to miss.

Every day Mirror – Aaron Potter – Unscored

Previous to my three hours of hands-on time taking part in this preview, I went in anticipating Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to be an underdog, but the deeper I delved into its mechanics and methods I got here out pondering it had the potential to be one among 2025’s standout titles.

Digitale Anime – Raouf Belhamra – Arabic – 10 / 10

"An journey that stands proudly among the many giants of the RPG style." Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an journey that stands proudly among the many giants of the RPG style, regardless of being an impartial mission. It combines distinctive strategic fight, a shifting narrative emotion, and gorgeous artwork course impressed by Symbolist artwork of La Belle Époque. The sport succeeds in creating an expertise wealthy in which means and deep mechanics with out sacrificing the standard of the presentation or the narrative focus. Some technical flaws are current, however they don’t overshadow the general visible energy.

Digitec Journal – Kevin Hofer – German – 5 / 5

“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” is a masterpiece and exhibits how role-playing video games with turn-based battles can nonetheless really feel contemporary in 2025. It is rather prone to be my JRPG of the yr.

DualShockers – Jake Valentine – 10 / 10

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Enternity.gr – Giannis Archontidis – Greek – 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will certainly be one of many nominees for the Recreation of the Yr!

Entertainium – Eduardo Rebouças – Preferred

Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 borrows from custom.

Fextralife – Castielle – 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is a as soon as in a era title that transcends gaming, and approaches a murals. From it’s distinctive and compelling story, its forged of characters which are a number of the finest within the business, a world design that feels extra like a portray moderately than a online game, and the opposite the highest fight animations which are bigger than life, Expedition 33 has all of it! My private favourite recreation this yr, and now one among my all time favourite video games as nicely. Don’t miss out one of the memorable experiences you’ll be able to have in leisure, and get this Day 1!

GRYOnline.pl – Maciej Pawlikowski – Polish – 9.5 / 10

If I have been a teen nonetheless, this recreation would ingrain itself into my mind the identical means Ultimate Fantasy VII did in 1997. Proper now, when there are quite a few predictions concerning the demise of single participant video games, when creativity is shackled by the gross sales division, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a real gem value each reward.

GameBlast – Victor Vitório – Portuguese – 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an exemplary turn-based RPG that nails all the pieces proper. From the gorgeous visible presentation to the world-building, from the dynamic and energetic battles to the deep customization methods, it’s a piece of labor that is aware of easy methods to reap the benefits of basic JRPG buildings and stands out for taking them additional in a singular strategy.

GamePro – Kevin Itzinger – German – 89 / 100

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GameSpot – Richard Wakeling – 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an outstanding RPG, telling a heartbreaking story whereas incorporating thrilling motion into its tactical turn-based fight

Gameblog – French – 8 / 10

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Gameliner – Rudy Wijnberg – Dutch – 4.5 / 5

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 defied my expectations with its distinctive allure, providing an enticing narrative, lovely design, and numerous gameplay that saved me entertained all through, even when its ambition sometimes led to complicated mechanics and cluttered menus.

Gamepressure – Giancarlo Saldana – 10 / 10

Merely put, Sandfall Interactive’s debut recreation is a masterclass in presentation, storytelling, and gameplay. It’s a recreation it is advisable play to expertise.

Gamer Guides – Lexi Luddy – 98 / 100

Clair Obscur feels huge, it feels necessary, it looks like a recreation for now, that you just’ll be fascinated with for years to come back. Expedition 33 could be constructed off of the groundwork laid by many years of creatives that got here earlier than, however its influence is wholly singular and important in its personal proper.

Avid gamers Heroes – Blaine Smith – 100 / 100

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a murals. Its flawless hybrid fight system joins a forged of characters that tells a narrative rivaling the easiest this medium has ever provided.

Gamersky – Chinese language – 8.8 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a contemporary creation deeply infused with the soul of basic JRPGs, carving out a daring new chance for the style's future. Its QTE-infused fight system brings a uncommon sense of influence and fluidity to turn-based battles, whereas boss encounters impressed by Souls-like design provide room for skill-based development.

Gamesource Italia – Fabio Valbonetti – Italian – 9 / 10

Because of its setting, its implausible fight system and its emotional story, Expedition 33 is likely one of the biggest recreation I've performed previously few yr

Gaming Nexus – Jason Dailey – 8.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a thunderous debut from Sandfall Interactive. Its palette is brimming with cleverly partaking turn-based fight, impeccable artwork course, and voice performances that rival characteristic movies. The result’s an unbelievable work of online game artwork. This recreation is value greater than the asking value, and I extremely suggest it.

GamingBolt – Ravi Sinha – 9 / 10

Paying homage to people who got here earlier than but bursting with its personal creativity, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must-play title for RPG followers.

IGN Italy – Alessandra Borgonovo – Italian – 9 / 10

A paradigm shift for turn-based RPGs, respectful of their heritage but unafraid to dismantle and rebuild their foundations.

IGN Spain – Alejandro Morillas – Spanish – 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a recreation destined to mark a complete era of gamers, in addition to revolutionize turn-based fight as we all know it. An RPG to recollect.

Simply Play it – Lamine BENYAHIA – Arabic – 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is likely one of the most gorgeous surprises of this era delivering a deep philosophical story set in a visually breathtaking world with attractive graphics and an addictive turn-based fight system! With its tense battles and unpredictable twists, it'll maintain you on the sting of your seat. Should you're on the lookout for an expertise that echoes the perfect of turn-based whereas including fashionable and modern touches then this recreation undoubtedly deserves a spot in your must-play checklist.

Kakuchopurei – Jonathan Toyad – 100 / 100

Veterans will love the callbacks and tributes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 pays to its inspirations, and get a elegant expertise out of it. Even in the event you're new to the style, its narrative and distinctive world will draw you in, with its turn-based and fight mechanics spellbinding you want a world class French arthouse flick would to movie critics.

KeenGamer – Jack Carson – 9.5 / 10

With a gripping, haunting narrative that isn't afraid to deal with darker themes, among the finest turn-based battle methods in RPG historical past, a beautiful world to lose your self in, and a number of the finest music and performances in years, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looks like a miracle recreation. How Sandfall Interactive managed one thing this wonderful on their first go round is a real Herculean achievement. This recreation is a love letter to the wealthy historical past of RPGs whereas additionally being the blueprint for the subsequent step ahead. That is my present Recreation of the Yr frontrunner for 2025 and I can nearly assure that in the event you love RPGs – whether or not you like turn-based or motion – this recreation will blow you away.

KonsoliFIN – Niko Lähteenmäki – Finnish – 5 / 5

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece that clearly attracts inspiration from different RPG's, however does so with such magnificence and ability that it stands firmly by itself in an overcrowded style – thanks partly, in fact, to its personal distinctive tips. In an age of cynicism and uncertainty, it's fantastic to get our arms on one thing this magical.

Life is Xbox – Robby Bisschop – 100 / 100

Fairly probably the perfect RPG of its sort. Epic story with heartfelt moments, best-in class fight, attractive graphics and music that may linger for the remainder of my life. I’ll be buzzing a few of these tunes within the retirement house. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the actual factor. This recreation will go down in historical past as a must-play RPG.

Loot Degree Chill – Mick Fraser – 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels really distinctive and creative, and reminds us how shifting, exhilarating, and provocative big-budget journey video games will be.

Guide dos Video games – Juliana Barreira Barbosa – Portuguese – 10 / 10

I’ve to confess, once I first noticed the title, I used to be anticipating a strong recreation impressed by basic JRPGs—however I by no means imagined the extent of emotion and high quality that Sandfall’s debut would find yourself delivering. It’s nearly just like the Ultimate Fantasy XVII of our goals. It options among the finest narratives I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing, with gameplay that’s each partaking and addictive. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is, in many various methods, a masterpiece. When one falls, we proceed.

MondoXbox – Valerio Tosetti – Italian – 9.7 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is destined to turn into a basic, with a deep and well-written storyline, a spectacular soundtrack and top-notch graphics, together with a well-tuned fight system. The most effective JRPGs round.

MonsterVine – James Carr – 4 / 5

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 not solely deftly improves upon the concept of energetic turn-based fight, however delivers it in a beautiful and realized world. The characters are unbelievable, it dodges a number of the extra grating points of turn-based RPGs, and delivers a mature, and at occasions haunting, story, with out falling into the traps of an excessive amount of violence for the sake of maturity. An enormous narrative flip flattens the expertise, and some too many tough edges maintain it from masterpiece standing, however it’s nonetheless an unbelievable expertise.

Area of interest Gamer – Throgmorton Belmont – 10 / 10

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One Extra Recreation – Vincent Ternida – 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a powerful triumph from Sandfall Interactive. It delivers a refreshingly daring RPG expertise that stands out in a style usually crowded with titles that miss the mark. With meticulous stability, the sport gives a mix of previous meets new whereas crafting a tightly woven narrative alongside a wonderful turn-based fight system that’s easy to be taught and strategically deep.

Oyungezer On-line – Eren Eryürekli – Turkish – 10 / 10

Expedition 33 is magnificent in each doable means. I used to be in love with it entire time and whereas taking part in I’ve grew to become so engaged with characters and the story encompass them I forgot the move of time totally. That is clearly the long run for JRPG’s and it’s sense of scale is excellent. Positively a basic for years to come back.

PCMGAMES – José Miguel Rodríguez Ros – Spanish – Important

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an unforgettable RPG, with an excellent fight system, a strong story and a visually distinctive world. It not solely delivers what it guarantees: it surpasses it in nearly all the pieces. Should you like demanding RPGs, with soul, persona and good style, that is a kind of titles you gained't neglect.

PSX Brasil – Bruno Henrique Vinhadel – Portuguese – 90 / 100

Masterful in creative and narrative points and with an impeccable soundtrack, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is likely one of the finest surprises of the yr and stands out positively in a market that has began to cost an excessive amount of for experiences that don't ship what they need to.

PlayStation Universe – Timothy Nunes – 9.5 / 10

I don’t say this spontaneously or hyperbolically: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a generational RPG. The standard of writing is pitch-perfect at each step, vividly depicting the somber world and its tragic circumstances with wonderful method. Fight at all times feels rewarding when profitable, however it may well really feel like a slog in the event you don't get the cling of the parry and trait methods. The linear nature of the sport helps to stability out the dearth of mini-map, so attempt to not let these components maintain you away from a minimum of attempting this sensible recreation.

Push Sq. – Liam Croft – 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is likely one of the most refreshing and unique RPGs in years, even when it's not instantly apparent from the skin trying in. The intriguing setup expands to offer an engrossing, glorious narrative with lovable and charismatic characters. The exemplary fight goes above and past its turn-based traditions with flashy fights and new methods to wreck. That is the type of expertise that proves there's nonetheless a lot potential and creativity within the bigger-budget online game area – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is just elegant.

Quest Every day – Shaun Fullard – 9.5 / 10

Expedition 33 is a recreation that spoke to my soul. I shortly fell in love with this awe-inspiring but melancholic world and the survivors left in it, and regardless that it tore my coronary heart to shreds a number of occasions, I’d fortunately do it yet again.

RPGamer – Ryan Costa – 5 / 5

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a journey that blasts the senses from starting to finish. The melancholic and bleak moments are balanced by the characters' perseverance, which makes their triumphs shine a lot brighter. There's a profound sense of fashion and substance that solely expands as extra of the world is uncovered. What outcomes is a real murals that ties its sensible elements collectively into a whole bundle, which is awe inspiring to come back from a freshman developer.

Restart.run – Logan Woerner – 4 / 5

After a swift 30 hours with the sport, I’ll fortunately inform you how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 exceeded my expectations and left me curious for extra.

Saudi Gamer – Arabic – 10 / 10

When somebody who’s enthusiastic about JRPGs and has the talents to make one, a masterpiece like Expedition 33 is born. It’s a recreation that gave me the basic JRPG expertise whereas paving it's means because it's personal factor

SavePoint Gaming – Zhiqing Wan – 7 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could also be predictable at occasions, nevertheless it's bolstered by its glorious voice forged and compelling turn-based fight.

Sirus Gaming – Erickson Melchor – 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a uncommon triumph for such a small studio. The devs at Sandfall Interactive aimed for the celebs, and so they delivered a recreation that JRPG followers have at all times needed from a Western studio. I can't suggest this recreation sufficient.

Spaziogames – Domenico Musicò – Italian – Unscored

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 might actually be the JRPG that 90s nostalgics needed a lot to have in its most advanced and never excessively contaminated type. All the weather appear to be in the precise place, and though it’s not one of the costly productions (which is an efficient factor), the potential to do issues in an enormous means is sort of evident.

Stevivor – Matt Gosper – 9.5 / 10

This can be a type of story that hasn’t been seen in fashionable RPGs, with a stage and distinctiveness in visible presentation that leaves many franchises proper now within the mud. All this plus a star-studded voice forged makes Clair Obscur Expedition 33 a tremendous first outing from the studio, and a strong assertion that the RPG style remains to be rising and evolving to today.

TechRaptor – Erren Van Duine – 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a milestone achievement for Sandfall Interactive. Followers of turn-based RPGs needs to be proper at house with its conventional stylings tuned for a contemporary age, and whereas issue can ramp up with out warning, the problem of getting by every battle makes all of it worthwhile.

The Video games Machine – Gabriele Barducci – Italian – 9.4 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a title of uncommon magnificence. An sudden masterpiece that may attraction to all followers of turn-based RPGs.

The Nerd Stash – Julio La Pine – 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterful RPG. It brings a shocking artwork model that stays entrance and middle whereas revamping a basic fight system into one thing partaking and accessible. It's a simple contender for GOTY and a terrific debut for Sandfall Interactive.

Tom's {Hardware} Italia – Giulia Serena – Italian – 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will captivate you from the very first second. We’re speaking a couple of work that manages to face out within the RPG panorama for its extraordinary means to mix narrative, artwork course, and recreation mechanics right into a cohesive and deeply evocative expertise. Sandfall Interactive offers us a story dense with feelings and sensible moments, the place the ache of grief intertwines with resistance, reminiscence, and the battle for survival. Nevertheless, it's not simply the narrative facet that works nicely: the fight system, a hybrid of turn-based and real-time motion, represents one of many recreation's highlights, providing deep and by no means repetitive dynamics that improve every character's distinctive traits and fulfill each RPG fanatics and people who need to take pleasure in a extra relaxed expertise. The artwork course, however, is a real homage to Impressionist and Symbolist portray, with eventualities that appear like they have been taken from an artwork gallery and settings impressed by a dreamlike, deconstructed Paris. In brief, Expedition 33 is not only a journey by decadent lands and evocative settings: it's a path that continually challenges the notion of actuality and dream, mild and darkness, life and demise. With strong longevity, a world wealthy in actions, and a surprisingly polished technical facet, the title emerges not solely as one of the fascinating and important surprises within the style, but additionally as among the finest video video games (to date) of this 2025.

VDGMS – Darren Andrew – 9.5 / 10

Ultimate Fantasy, Persona, Chrono Set off are simply a number of the inherent influences, nevertheless it was the inspiration from Sekiro and the French heritage of Sandfall Interactive that made Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 really feel just like the daybreak of a brand new period of turn-based RPG’s, because it equally pays tribute to those that got here earlier than, as a lot because it innovates for many who will come after.

WellPlayed – Mark Isaacson – 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a assured new IP, daring in its execution and never afraid to combine previous and new concepts. It's a shocking achievement, born from ardour and raised inside technical excellence equal to the perfect within the enterprise. Go in unspoiled and be prepared for a really rewarding expertise.

XGN.nl – Luuc ten Velde – Dutch – 9.4 / 10

Sandfall Interactive delivers a powerful first recreation with this turn-based RPG that channels JRPG’s like Persona and Ultimate Fantasy. The sport tells a implausible story and gives gorgeous visuals as well.

Xbox Achievements – Dan Webb – 80%

So much has been stated concerning the value of video video games and the final value of online game improvement in recent times. Publishers and builders will cit…

Xbox Tavern – Jamie Collyer – 10 / 10

As you’ll be able to hopefully inform, I completely adore Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It’s the primary recreation in a while that I’ve discovered myself completely misplaced in, a lot in order that I genuinely didn’t need to put the controller down. Any minor gripes there could be to have (some areas can get a little bit complicated to navigate at occasions, although none are so huge that it stays an issue for lengthy) are simply outnumbered by the sheer brilliance of the total product from begin to end. Fight, presentation, exploration, story; it’s all so rattling good that I can not suggest extremely sufficient that you just go play this recreation. We’ve nonetheless obtained a protracted solution to go this yr, and some huge hitters to come back, however man, it’ll take one thing particular to offer Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a run for its cash.

XboxEra – Jesse Norris – 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a superbly creative, heart-breaking expertise of affection, loss, and the need to outlive

Zoomg – Afshin Piroozi – Persian – 9 / 10

All in all, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as one of many greatest surprises of 2025 to date — a title that boasts a deep, unpredictable story, meticulously crafted gameplay and fight methods, and top-tier visible and audio presentation. This recreation isn’t only for followers of turn-based RPGs; it has the potential to impress anybody who appreciates high-quality experiences. Even in the event you’re not usually drawn to turn-based video games, I extremely suggest giving this polished gem a strive — it’s nicely value investing a minimum of 30 hours of your playtime.