Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Achieves Milestone, Captivating Gamers Beyond Game Pass
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut title from French studio Sandfall Interactive, has achieved remarkable success, shipping over one million units. This milestone doesn't even account for the countless players engaging with the game through Game Pass on both console and PC, highlighting its widespread appeal. The game's success story defies initial concerns about competition with Bethesda's Oblivion Remastered, proving that both titles can thrive in the RPG landscape.
Released on April 24, 2025, Clair Obscur has garnered critical acclaim, boasting impressive Metacritic scores of 93 on Xbox Series X/S, 92 on PS5, and 90 on PC. The developer expressed gratitude on Twitter, acknowledging the support that propelled their game to such heights. The game's unique reactive turn-based RPG system, set in a surrealist world inspired by France's La Belle Epoque, has captivated both critics and players alike.
The game features voice acting from stars like Andy Serkis (Gollum in The Lord of the Rings) and Ben Starr (Clive in Final Fantasy XVI), adding to its allure. Players take on the role of Expeditioners, embarking on a quest to break the Paintress' cycle of death, traversing a vast fantasy world filled with deadly adversaries and mythical creatures.
Adding to the game's charm, one writer at Aftermath jokingly notes the protagonist Gustave bears a striking resemblance to their colleague, Nathan Grayson. While Nathan himself disputes this claim, favoring Robert Pattinson as the likeness, the resemblance became a humorous topic among the team. The article humorously suggests ways to customize Gustave to look less like Nathan or to simply embrace the virtual Nathan experience.
Kotaku's review praised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for its engaging gameplay and inspired mechanics, drawing comparisons to Japanese RPG classics while maintaining its own unique identity. However, the review also pointed out some inconsistencies and a lack of direction within the game, particularly regarding the absence of a mini-map and the somewhat convoluted tutorial system. Despite these minor flaws, the review ultimately deems the game a worthwhile experience, celebrating its innovative ideas and thought-provoking narrative.
The turn-based combat system, combined with timing-based mechanics reminiscent of Paper Mario, sets Clair Obscur apart. Each party member boasts unique skills, encouraging strategic synergy and experimentation. The game's robust customization options and the constant surprises that the world offers create a very compelling gaming experience.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a game that has resonated with many, achieving commercial success and acclaim. Will this success pave the way for more innovative RPGs from Sandfall Interactive? Share your thoughts on the game and its impact on the RPG genre in the comments below!
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What is the expedition 33 story?
Taking place in a dark fantasy Belle u00c9poque setting, the game follows the volunteers of Expedition 33 who set out to destroy the Paintress, a being causing the yearly Gommage where people above an ever-decreasing age perish.
How many hours Clair Obscur?
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 takes around 30-35 hours to beat the main story, while a completionist playthrough takes over 60 hours. These estimates are based on our own complete playthrough of Expedition 33.
Is Clair Obscur Expedition 33 turn based?
But it needs to be said - if for no other reason than to do what I can to attract a wider audience to this exceptional game - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the Dark Souls of turn-based RPGs.
What type of game is Clair Obscur Expedition 33?
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever.
