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: Apr 24, 2025
Price (USD): $39.99
Current Players: 9.9k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Overwhelmingly Positive(97%)
storytelling
visuals
soundtrack
character development
combat system
combat difficulty
exploration
Combat system
parry mechanics
optimization
technical issues
pacing
minigames
The general sentiment around 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' is overwhelmingly positive, with players praising the game's story, visuals, and soundtrack. Many highlight it as a standout experience in storytelling and artistic direction within video games. However, some players are critical of technical issues and certain gameplay mechanics, such as parrying. While the game is often described as a masterpiece, the reliance on parry mechanics and exploration aspects receives a mixed reception. Overall, the game's unique blend of narrative and visual artistry, combined with its combat system, has left a lasting impression on many players.

Positive Points

  • The game has an outstanding and deeply immersive story, often described as one of the best ever in a video game, with emotional and captivating plot twists.
  • The graphics and art direction are widely praised, with the game often being described as visually stunning and likened to a living painting.
  • Players frequently commend the soundtrack, considering it to be not only fitting for the game but also exceptional on its own, with many describing it as unbeatable.
  • The game has a unique and engaging combat system that combines turn-based mechanics with real-time parrying and dodging, making the gameplay feel fresh and dynamic.
  • Voice acting and character development are highlighted as top-tier, with characters being relatable and well-written.
  • Negative Points

  • Some players find the reliance on parry and dodge mechanics excessively challenging, with inconsistent parrying windows impacting enjoyment.
  • There are reports of technical issues, including poor optimization on certain hardware configurations, especially with the Unreal Engine 5.
  • Certain aspects of the game, like the parkour and mini-games, are seen as poorly executed or clunky by some players.
  • While the narrative is praised, some players express dissatisfaction with aspects of the story, particularly the pacing in Act 3.
  • A few players feel that the game relies too heavily on its artistic style and atmosphere at the expense of gameplay depth.
  • Mixed Points

  • The combat system is both praised for being innovative and engaging, yet simultaneously critiqued for its harsh difficulty and reliance on precise parrying.
  • While many love the emotional and artistic approach of the game, some players find it to be too dramatic or unnecessarily complex at times.
  • The open-ended exploration and lack of maps can be a positive for those who enjoy discovery, but others find it leads to frustration and being lost.
  • Common Themes

  • The game is celebrated for its emotional depth and storytelling, with many players becoming deeply invested in its characters and narrative.
  • Music and graphics are consistently highlighted as major strong points that significantly enhance the overall experience.
  • The gameplay receives mixed feedback, especially regarding its challenging parry mechanics and the balance between art and content richness.
  • Updated 10/31/2025, 12:01:23 AM UTC