Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the kind of game that reminds you why you fell in love with RPGs in the first place. It’s bold, imaginative, and refreshingly unconcerned with following the trends that dominate most big-budget titles today. Developed by the relatively unknown Sandfall Interactive—a team of approximately 30 people—this debut effort feels anything but small. From the moment I stepped into its beautifully surreal world, I could tell this wasn’t just another fantasy RPG; this was a passion project, and it bleeds heart in every frame.
Set in a dreamlike, painterly world inspired by France’s Belle Époque era, where people vanish each year in a mysterious event known as the Gommage, Expedition 33 pulls you into a narrative that’s as emotionally heavy as it is fantastical. Its gameplay borrows from the greats—think Final Fantasy, Persona, with a bit of Dark Souls thrown in—but remixes those inspirations into something new, with a battle system that refuses to let you zone out and a story that hits hard with mature, grounded themes. It’s not just good—it’s something special.
Beginning your journey in the city of Lumière, the game introduces a haunting premise: each year, a mysterious figure known as the Paintress selects an age, and all individuals of that age vanish in an event called the Gommage. This annual occurrence has persisted for 67 years, leading to the formation of expeditions aimed at stopping the Paintress. You play as Gustave, a 32-year-old engineer with only a year left to live, who joins Expedition 33 in a desperate bid to end the cycle. The narrative unfolds with a mature cast of characters, each grappling with themes of mortality, grief, and purpose, providing a depth often missing in the genre.
Expedition 33 revitalizes turn-based combat by integrating real-time elements, creating what the developers call a “Reactive Turn-Based” system. During battles, players must execute precise button presses to dodge, parry, and unleash attacks, keeping engagement levels high and adding a layer of skill to traditional strategy . This hybrid approach ensures that combat remains dynamic and challenging throughout the game.
Strategic planning is further emphasized through the interplay of character abilities. Each party member possesses unique skills that can complement others, and understanding turn order becomes crucial for maximizing damage and efficiency. Elemental affinities add another layer, requiring players to consider the strengths and weaknesses of both allies and enemies.
One of the standout features in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is its incredible character customization system, centered around two key mechanics: Pictos and Luminas. These systems offer deep, flexible ways to shape your party’s strengths and create a team that fits your preferred playstyle.
Pictos are essentially skill-boosting sigils that can be equipped to each character. These not only improve stats—like attack power, defense, or elemental resistance—but can also unlock entirely new abilities or enhance existing ones. You’ll often find higher-tier Pictos tucked away in the world’s optional areas, tied to tougher enemies or intricate platforming puzzles. Luminas, on the other hand, are linked to a specific Pictos but serve as passive modifiers that provide the passive effect of a Pictos without the additional stat bonuses. There are no limit to the amount of Lumina you can equip to a particular party member, as long as you have the Lumina Points available to equip them. There’s real strategy in how you pair Pictos and Luminas. Together, these two systems give you a lot of agency. You’re not just leveling up for the sake of bigger numbers—you’re crafting builds, experimenting with combinations, and making tactical decisions that pay off in every fight. It rewards creativity, and it feels personal. No two players’ parties will be exactly alike, and that’s a rare and welcome thing in modern RPGs.
Expedition 33’s art direction is nothing short of breathtaking. The game’s world is a tapestry of diverse biomes, from underwater realms to the serene Gestral village, each rendered with meticulous detail and vibrant colors. The Belle Époque inspiration is evident in the architecture and design, creating a setting that feels both fantastical and grounded. I haven’t taken this many photos on my console while playing a game in a very long time. The absence of an official photo mode is noticeable, as the urge to capture the game’s beauty is constant. Hopefully it’s something the team are working on implementing soon.
Complementing the visual splendor is an exceptional soundtrack. The music ranges from delicate piano pieces to rousing adventure tracks and amazing battle themes, enhancing the emotional impact of both the narrative and the gameplay experience. This OST is going to be going into my regular music playlist for sure.
Expedition 33 doesn’t shy away from exploring complex and mature themes. The story delves into the psychological effects of impending death, the burden of responsibility, and the struggle for meaning in a seemingly doomed world. These elements are handled with nuance, providing a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging. This is further enhanced by the amazing performances from the actors that make up the main cast of the game. While all stellar, as special call-out needs to be made for Jennifer English, Ben Starr and Charlie Cox’s characters.
You really owe it to yourself when playing Expedition 33 to not to just rush through the mainline path, which is actually highlighted for you in a really creative way. You’re often rewarded for venturing down side paths, fighting the optional enemies, boss challenges and beating the platforming puzzles scattered throughout the world. The rewards often include new weapons, higher level Pictos and consumable items.
Beyond the main storyline, the game offers a wealth of endgame content. Unlocking all of Esquie’s traversal abilities opens up previously inaccessible areas on the overworld map, revealing hidden secrets, challenging dungeons, and formidable super bosses. This content not only extends playtime but also provides meaningful rewards, making exploration a worthwhile endeavor.
Final Thoughts
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t just a great RPG—it’s a statement. A declaration that there’s still room in this industry for big ideas, deeply personal storytelling, and gameplay systems that respect the player’s time and intelligence. It combines razor-sharp combat with haunting world design, memorable characters, and a level of customization that lets you truly own the way you play. The story sticks with you, the soundtrack lingers in your head, and the world invites you back in long after the credits roll.
Sure, not everything is perfect—the lip-syncing could use some work—but that’s a small blemish on what is otherwise a phenomenal, handcrafted experience. It’s rare to see a studio swing this big on their first game, and even rarer to see them stick the landing. Sandfall Interactive should be incredibly proud of what they’ve built here. This isn’t just a love letter to the RPG genre—it’s a bold step forward. And if Expedition 33 is the foundation they’re building from, I can’t wait to see what they create next.
A PS5 review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.
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10
- + Incredible story premise and worldbuilding
- + Pictos and Lumina system allow for a diverse range of character builds
- + The visuals and art direction are stunning
- + The music adds so much to the overall experience
- - Better lip synching would take character interactions and cutscenes to the next level
