🎮 Game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
🕹️ Platform: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
📅 Release Date: April 24, 2025
🛠️ Developer: Sandfall Interactive
⏱️ Playtime: 35-40 Hours (Main Story)
Introduction: A Masterpiece in Motion
Every few years, a role-playing game comes along that feels less like a product and more like a piece of art. In 2025, that game is undoubtedly Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Developed by the French studio Sandfall Interactive, this title has been on my radar since its cryptic reveal trailer, promising a blend of Belle Époque aesthetics and turn-based strategy.
The premise is haunting: once a year, a mysterious entity known as The Paintress wakes up to paint a number on a monolith. Everyone that age instantly turns to smoke and fades from existence. This year, the number is 33. We play as Gustave and his fellow Expeditioners—people living on borrowed time who have decided to break the cycle by destroying the Paintress herself.
After spending over 35 hours in the world of Lumière, I walked away emotionally exhausted but thoroughly impressed. This isn't just a "good indie RPG"—it is a genuine contender for Game of the Year. In this deep-dive review, I’ll break down exactly why the combat system is revolutionary, how the story handles its heavy themes, and if your PC or console can handle the Unreal Engine 5 visuals.
Story: Art, Memory, and the Fear of Death
The narrative of Clair Obscur is its beating heart. The world-building is spectacular, blending high fantasy with a late 19th-century French aesthetic. The city of Lumière feels lived-in but suffocated by dread. You aren't playing as chosen heroes destined for greatness; you are playing as desperate people who know they are likely going to die.
Gustave, our main protagonist, is an engineer with a mechanical arm who has only one year left to live. His motivation isn't glory; it's survival for the next generation. He is joined by Maelle, a shy foster sister who views this suicide mission as her only chance to see the world, and Lune, a mage scholar obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the Paintress.
What struck me most was the writing quality. There are no "filler" party members here. Every character has a stake in the number 33. The game isn't afraid to tackle heavy themes like dementia, legacy, and the cruelty of time. One specific chapter involving a boss named Vera deals with the loss of memory in such a poignant way that I had to set the controller down for a moment. It treats death not as a game mechanic, but as a narrative inevitability that you are fighting against.
Gameplay: The "Reactive" Turn-Based Revolution
If you generally find turn-based RPGs "slow" or "boring," Expedition 33 might change your mind. Sandfall Interactive has coined a system called "Reactive Turn-Based Combat," and it is brilliantly engaging. It sits somewhere between Persona 5, Final Fantasy X, and Sekiro.
1. Timing is Everything
You select your attacks from a menu, but the action doesn't stop there. When you launch an attack, a timed button prompt appears (similar to Super Mario RPG). Hit it perfectly, and you deal critical damage. Miss it, and you might do barely a scratch.
Defensively, it is even more intense. You can Dodge, Parry, or Jump over enemy attacks in real-time. This means you can technically finish a boss fight without taking a single hit if your reflexes are sharp enough. The parry window is tight—extremely tight—giving the combat a rhythm-game quality that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
2. The Free Aim System
Gustave carries a pistol, and using it switches the camera to an over-the-shoulder view, allowing you to manually aim at enemy weak points. Shooting a flying enemy out of the sky to ground them for your melee fighters feels incredibly satisfying. This mix of menu-based strategy and third-person shooter mechanics keeps battles dynamic.
3. Progression: The Picto System
Instead of traditional armor, characters equip Pictos—magical sketches that grant stats and passive abilities (Luminas). The system encourages experimentation. Do you build Maelle as a glass-cannon fencer who relies on perfect dodges for bonus damage? Or do you build Gustave as a tank who generates AP (Action Points) every time he parries? The skill trees are vast, and I found myself constantly respecting my team to adapt to different boss mechanics.
Visuals & Audio: An Unreal Engine 5 Showcase
Visually, Clair Obscur is a jaw-dropper. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, it utilizes Nanite and Lumen technology to create environments that feel impossibly detailed. The lighting is particularly striking; the way shadows dance across the cobblestone streets of Lumière or how magical particle effects light up a dark cave is mesmerizing.
The art direction deserves a special mention. The enemies aren't generic goblins; they are surreal, twisted creations inspired by classical art and sculpture. I fought enemies that looked like shattered marble statues weeping gold, and bosses that were literal abstract paintings come to life.
The Sound of Sorrow
Composer Lorien Testard has created a soundtrack that I have been listening to even outside of the game. It shifts dynamically—somber cellos and violins play while exploring, but transition seamlessly into high-tempo orchestral rock during combat. The voice acting is top-tier across the board, with the cast delivering performances that feel grounded and desperate, fitting the game's grim tone perfectly.
Performance: Stability Report
Unreal Engine 5 games have a reputation for being heavy on hardware, but Expedition 33 seems remarkably well-optimized at launch.
- PlayStation 5: Runs at a stable 60 FPS in Performance Mode. The Quality Mode pushes the resolution to 4K but caps at 30 FPS. Given the timing-based combat, I strictly recommend Performance Mode.
- PC Experience: On my RTX 3060 setup, I maintained a solid 70-80 FPS on High settings at 1080p using DLSS Quality. The game does compile shaders on the first boot, but I experienced zero stuttering during gameplay.
- Bugs: In my 30+ hour playthrough, I encountered one visual glitch where a cape clipped through armor, and zero crashes. It is a very polished release.
Score Breakdown
Here is how the game stacks up across the key pillars of a modern RPG:
THE VERDICT
"Clair Obscur is not just a game—it’s an emotional experience. With its masterful blend of reactive combat and poignant storytelling, it is a must-play masterpiece for any RPG fan."
PROS
- Jaw-dropping art style that defines a generation.
- Deep, emotional narrative that respects the player's intelligence.
- Innovative combat system that keeps turn-based gameplay fresh.
- Beautiful soundtrack that elevates every scene.
CONS
- Abstract storytelling might be confusing for some early on.
- Combat learning curve is steep; parrying requires practice.
Watch the Trailer
Where to Play
If you're ready to join Expedition 33, you can grab the game on your preferred platform below:
Keywords: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 review, Best RPG 2025, Sandfall Interactive, PS5 RPG review, Unreal Engine 5 games, Turn-based strategy games 2025.