Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Action
RPG
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Steam Cloud
Family Sharing

Lead the members of Expedition 33 on their quest to destroy the Paintress so that she can never paint death again. Explore a world of wonders inspired by Belle Époque France and battle unique enemies in this turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics.

Developers: Sandfall Interactive
Publishers: Kepler Interactive
Release Date: 24 Apr, 2025
Price (USD): HK$ 308.00
Current Players: 9.5k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Overwhelmingly Positive(98%)
emotional depth
stunning soundtrack
visuals
character depth
innovative combat
linear exploration
timing challenges
story structure
performance issues
combat difficulty
The story is widely acclaimed for its emotional engagement and depth, coupled with a stunning soundtrack that enhances the immersive atmosphere. Players frequently praise the visuals and character depth, describing them as pivotal to the gaming experience. However, there are significant performance issues reported, especially on high-end systems, and both praise and criticism for the innovative combat mechanics due to their challenging nature. Overall, the game is regarded as a masterpiece in several aspects, though not without areas needing improvement.

Positive Points

  • The story is widely praised for its emotional depth and surprising twists, considered one of the best narratives in recent gaming history.
  • The game's soundtrack receives consistent acclaim for enhancing the immersive experience, with many players listening to it outside of gameplay.
  • Visuals and art direction are described as stunning and painterly, adding to the overall atmospheric experience of the game.
  • The character development is detailed and the cast feels relatable, making for an engaging player experience.
  • The combat system innovatively blends turn-based mechanics with real-time elements like dodges and parries, providing a dynamic and engaging gameplay loop.
  • Negative Points

  • Some players report significant performance issues, especially on higher-end hardware, with complaints about optimization in Unreal Engine 5.
  • The difficulty of the parry/dodge mechanics is noted as being too challenging for some, with reports of inconsistent timing.
  • Mixed Points

  • The linear structure of the story and exploration is seen as a limitation by some, although others appreciate its focus and direction.
  • The combat system, while praised for its innovation, is also criticized by some who find the reliance on perfect timing frustrating.
  • Common Themes

  • Many reviewers find the game's narrative and emotional impact to be its most standout feature.
  • The game's music, visuals, and character depth are frequently highlighted as key strengths.
  • Players often mention the game's demands on performance and the challenging combat mechanics as areas of critique.
  • Updated 8/31/2025, 12:01:45 AM UTC