Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

 PlayStation 5
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Image
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 84 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints upon her monolith. Paints her cursed number. And everyone of that age turns to smoke and fades away. Year by year, that number ticks down and more of us are erased. Tomorrow she’ll wake and paint “33.” And tomorrow we depart on our final mission -Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints upon her monolith. Paints her cursed number. And everyone of that age turns to smoke and fades away. Year by year, that number ticks down and more of us are erased. Tomorrow she’ll wake and paint “33.” And tomorrow we depart on our final mission - Destroy the Paintress, so she can never paint death again. We are Expedition 33. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever. Explore a fantasy world inspired by Belle Époque France in which you battle devastating enemies. In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat - dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system. With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds. Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend. Recruit special companions to access new travel methods and discover secret areas in the World Map.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 84
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 84
  3. Negative: 0 out of 84
  1. ElDesmarque
    Apr 23, 2025
    100
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the masterful execution of a majestic concept. It transported me back to being that 16-year-old discovering Final Fantasy X, filled with wonder and awe. Despite drawing from the finest elements of numerous RPGs, the game radiates a unique personality and earns its place among the pantheon of the genre.
  2. Twinfinite
    Apr 25, 2025
    100
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterpiece, as if created on a canvas by the Paintress herself, and is an absolute must-play...Its inspirations from RPG series contemporaries like Persona and Final Fantasy are clear in its gameplay. However, Sandfall’s unique mix of turn-based & real-time combat, stunning world, impeccable soundtrack, and first-rate cinematic storytelling makes the debut title of this new studio stand out on its own. By not only honing the strengths of past RPGs and being bold enough to push them forward, this stands as one of the new greats within the genre. If this is what a brand-new dev team can create just for their first game, we should all be excited to see what they whip up for their second.
  3. The Times
    Jun 3, 2025
    100
    Clair Obscur is an RPG on rocket skates. It takes big swings and lands all of them with a satisfying smack.
  4. Atomix
    Apr 24, 2025
    94
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels like a real next step for modern RPG games. Sandfall has achieved something truly special.
  5. GameSpew
    Apr 27, 2025
    90
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an astounding debut title from Sandfall Interactive. Its compelling and emotional narrative is backed up with one of the best turn-based combat systems around, even though it perhaps feels a bit too focused on you performing parries and dodges at times. Add in stunning visuals and a fantastic soundtrack, and you have a JRPG that's not to be missed.
  6. IGN
    Apr 23, 2025
    90
    Wearing its inspirations on its sleeve, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 paints itself into the pantheon of great RPGs with a brilliant combat system and a gripping, harrowing story.
  7. IGN Japan
    May 16, 2025
    70
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 mixes JRPG-like turn-based battles with real-time action. While I was hooked to this combat system, the story’s sudden plot twist felt forced. Although this was hard to ignore, it is undeniable that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an appealing game that delivers a strong message.

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#1 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2025

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