I first saw this game advertised as an upcoming release on Xbox Game Pass in March I think and was curious about it so went ahead to read more. It looked like the sort of thing I’d enjoy with an interesting narrative premise, a creative art style and one of my favourite things in video games; turn-based combat. I pre-installed it so that I could try on its release on 24th April and for the last couple of weeks I have been immersed in and captured by this wonderful game. Usual spoiler warnings, because it’s me, but I’ll refrain from talking about the main story plot other than the premise of the game.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has a beautiful art style throughout and is a true mix of light and dark in contrast, in narrative, in music and imagery. The story starts in Lumiere where you meet Gustave and his expeditioners who, in the last year of their lives, have decided to get together to journey to the Monolith to slay The Paintress who every year paints a number, and when she wakes, everyone of that age will die. The cycle repeats. You learn early in the game’s prologue that many expeditions have happened before to lay the trail for ‘those that come after’ knowing they might not make it back alive, but they have hope that one day, one expedition will succeed. You follow Gustave and his team along the continent on their journey through thematic dungeons with exceptional combat, music and a narrative that will pull on those heartstrings. The Monolith, which is frequently visible in the background throughout the game, providing that reminder that you really are up against everything.
I genuinely can not find a fault with Clair Obscur, it is everything I want to experience in a game. The writing is truly fantastic from the main plot itself to the subtle artistic references, the depth of each character and the lore of the world itself make it feel complete. After finishing the game’s main story, I felt fulfilled from the storytelling in a way where nothing was unexplained or left out and I still haven’t ventured much into the side content where I feel like there will be added context to learn.
The game completely deserves recognition of its own for being what it is but you can tell the creators have been inspired by outstanding RPGs. Literally feels like they have paved the way for Clair Obscur to shine, “…for those that come after” to quote something in the game itself. I am reminded throughout the game of Final Fantasy X which, as a teenager quite a few years ago, had such a huge effect on me. Before that game I had never played an RPG before so I didn’t know videogames could make me feel so much. I’ve always loved reading but being able to walk through a story and experience it in a more immersive way felt incredible to me and since then RPG’s have been what I have always preferred to play. Turn-based combat has also been preferable and why the older Final Fantasy games have remained some of my favourites.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has, for me, hit the balance between an emotionally driven story and engaging sidequests and combat. I have cried and laughed through many moments with these characters but most importantly I’ve had fun playing it and I’ve had conversations with others that have enjoyed the game just as much. Seeing it succeed is absolutely wonderful. I know it won’t be the ‘perfect’ game for everyone, that seems like honestly an impossible task, but it really does seem to get that balance right that has been missing in other, newer games, for a long time. It feels like the developers really wanted to create a passion project and just goes to show if you love what you’re working on it comes through. Also you can fight a Mime.
The game features many beautiful locations in the form of dungeons and plenty of exploration both in and out on the world map. However, due to some areas being locked by obstacles that you can’t overcome until you have progressed the main story, it doesn’t feel too large or overwhelming when you’re getting used to the game. Levelling characters comes from fighting hostile Nevrons and gaining experience. Combat can be personalised to each character from learning skills and equipping a mix of Pictos – additional attributes and bonus’ as well as spending Lumina points to get passive skills, buffs and do very big damage. Whilst learning to counter, dodge and parry is not exclusively necessary in combat, it does make combat more engaging, interesting and really satisfying when you counter. You can, for example, set party members up to gain health on a successful counter later in the game, or gain AP (which is spent on using skills during your character’s turn) on a successful dodge. This allows you to make some very fun builds for each character in your party.
Speaking of builds, which is something I am currently researching more now I am in endgame content and able to explore everything fully, each character has a unique way of playing which I find to be very fun. Maelle can swap stances for example, and each stance offers its own pros and cons. Offensive Stance, for example, does a lot more damage but ending your turn in that stance means you take a lot more damage. There is a real risk-reward system for each encounter and every player is viable for whatever encounter you have. The most common trait the characters share is building up their unique buff or stance to a big move for big damage. It makes it fun, engaging and kind of limitless with how strong you can build your party. I am really enjoying learning about this and exploring. So whilst levels certainly help, scaling your attributes with your weapon, learning the right skills and setting up Pictos can give you an edge against challenging enemies.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is worth playing whether you enjoy story based RPG’s or challenging and engaging combat because it has both and I really feel like it can offer something to the majority of people that like playing video games. The voice cast is also exceptional, and has done an amazing job at bringing these characters to life. The characters are relatable, have depth, are flawed but in a way that makes them feel human and real. These are people I can completely identify with from friends or even experiences in my own life. They have obvious strengths and weaknesses, insecurities and fears and that comes through because the writing has been done so well and because the actors that brought these characters to life did so in such a beautiful way. Spending time with them, getting to know them and experience exploring this wonderfully artistic world with them has been a joyful experience and a game I can see myself playing again over the years.
Not to mention, the creators behind Clair Obscur decided to make this game as affordable as possible for the player and priced it at around £45 which I think is perfectly reasonable for a game that has a solid amount of main story time, replayability with New Game Plus and a large amount of endgame side content. The 2 million+ purchases since its release (especially with a shadow-dropped remastered Elder Scrolls game) and strong reviews show me I’m not the only person that wanted something new. I will be very intrigued if they decide to create DLC and what the future holds for this developer.
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