Review - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Every once in a while, a game comes along that doesn't just play like a dream—it feels like one. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is that rare phenomenon: a bold, breathtaking RPG that dares to be different and succeeds on every front. From its surrealist art direction to its emotionally resonant storytelling and white-knuckle combat, this is not just a game—it's a once-in-a-generation experience.

A World Painted by the Divine

The world of Expedition 33 is unlike anything we've seen in gaming before. Inspired by French surrealism, each environment feels hand-crafted, almost brushed into existence. Picture a fever dream painted by Zdzisław Beksiński and narrated by the poetry of death and defiance—Clair Obscur is a game where beauty and despair walk hand in hand.

It's as if someone gave the art team from NieR: Automata, the combat designers from Persona 5, and the moodboard of Bloodborne to a group of mad geniuses and said, “Go.”

Combat That Demands Your Soul

Turn-based combat? Not quite. Real-time dodging? Also no. Somehow, Clair Obscur blends the best of both—creating a hybrid system that feels tactile, urgent, and utterly addictive.

Every enemy encounter is a puzzle and a performance. Blocking, dodging, and executing attacks feels more like dance than math. You're not just issuing commands—you're living each moment. There's no button mashing here—just pure, skill-based flow that rewards precision, timing, and tactical vision.

Deep Lore, Deeper Emotion

Set in a world where the enigmatic Paintress “erases” people from existence each year by name, Expedition 33 explores themes of memory, mortality, and rebellion. The narrative is at once intimate and cosmic, pitting humanity's will to survive against a force of abstract annihilation.

The characters aren't just party members—they're poets, prophets, and martyrs. It's Final Fantasy X meets The Road meets your most vivid nightmare—and somehow, it's beautiful.

Sound and Score: Pure Perfection

The soundtrack? Cinematic. Operatic. Devastating. The composer has created an orchestral suite that could stand alongside Howard Shore and Yoko Shimomura. Every boss fight swells with emotional intensity thanks to these incredible musical backdrops.

And the voice acting? Immaculate. The cast gives nuanced, soul-stirring performances that elevate an already phenomenal script.

No Filler, Just Fire

In a market stuffed with bloated RPGs and repetitive side quests, Clair Obscur feels focused and intentional. Every quest serves the world. Every line of dialogue carries weight. There’s no fetch quest fluff here—just raw, distilled storytelling.

Final Verdict - 5 Stars

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 doesn’t just raise the bar for RPGs—it smashes it and paints something entirely new on the canvas of the genre. This is the kind of game that makes you fall in love with gaming all over again.

It will stay with you. It will haunt you. It will inspire you.

And it will go down as one of the greatest RPGs of all time.