Our review of Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut RPG from French studio Sandfall Interactive, hit PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on April 24, 2025, and it’s already a frontrunner for Game of the Year. This turn-based gem, laced with real-time combat flair, weaves a haunting tale of loss and defiance in a Belle Époque-inspired world. Priced at $49.99 (or free on Xbox Game Pass day one), it’s a 30–60-hour journey that’s as emotionally gripping as it is mechanically bold. For Gamescore.gg, we dove into this surreal masterpiece to see if it lives up to the hype. Spoiler: It absolutely does.

A Doomed World, A Desperate Quest

In the city of Lumière, a surreal twist on 19th-century France, the Paintress—a godlike entity—wakes annually to paint a number on a distant monolith. Everyone of that age turns to dust in a petal-strewn “Gommage.” For 67 years, she’s counted down, and now, at 33, the stakes are dire. You lead Expedition 33, a ragtag crew of 32- and 33-year-olds, including engineer Gustave (Charlie Cox), young sharpshooter Maelle (Jennifer English), and scholar Lune (Kirsty Rider), on a suicide mission to slay the Paintress and save humanity. The setup is bleak yet captivating, posing heavy questions: Is it worth bringing kids into a dying world? How do you face inevitable loss? Sandfall doesn’t shy away from these, crafting a narrative that’s both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

A Combat Revolution

Clair Obscur’s combat is where it shines, blending turn-based strategy with real-time precision in a way that feels like Final Fantasy meets Sekiro. Each character has a turn order, using basic attacks or special skills that cost Action Points (AP). AP is earned by parrying or dodging enemy attacks, which demands Souls-like timing—miss a parry, and you’re toast. A free-aim system lets you target enemy weak points with guns, adding tactical depth. For example, Gustave’s electric overcharge wipes out health bars, while Maelle’s sniping exploits vulnerabilities. The system’s rhythm is addictive, with cinematic flourishes that make every fight feel epic.

You can customize builds via gear, stats, and Pictos (perks like extra damage or auto-revives), letting you tailor your party to your style—tank-heavy, magic-focused, or balanced. Battles are tough but fair, with generous XP ensuring you’re rarely grinding. Optional superbosses and hidden fights test your mastery, rewarding rare loot. The only hiccup? The game’s reliance on dodging and parrying can overwhelm casual players, even on Story mode. Still, the combat’s depth and flash make it one of the best systems in any 2025 RPG.

World and Exploration

Lumière and the Continent are visual feasts, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Sunlit forests, underwater realms with floating whales, and warped Eiffel Tower-esque ruins drip with surreal beauty. The art direction, blending Belle Époque opulence with dark fantasy, is like wandering through a Renoir painting crossed with a Miyazaki nightmare. Environments are linear but packed with secrets—hidden grapple points, journals from past expeditions, and optional enemies add lore and rewards. A world map, straight out of Final Fantasy X, ties locations together, keeping exploration focused without open-world bloat.

The downside? No minimap in dungeons can make navigation tricky, especially in twisting caves or ruins. Some players on Steam forums report getting lost, and we’d love a patch to add one. Still, every area is so gorgeous—bolstered by a soundtrack mixing NieR-like strings and Xenoblade-esque drama—that you’ll forgive the occasional wrong turn.

Story and Characters

The narrative is Clair Obscur’s heart, balancing melodrama with nuance. The Paintress’ countdown forces characters to confront mortality, grief, and sacrifice. Gustave’s resolve, Maelle’s wit, and Lune’s curiosity shine through campfire chats and backstory quests, voiced by an A-list cast (Andy Serkis as the brooding Renoir is a standout). The script avoids clichés, exploring themes like chosen family and the ethics of hope in a doomed world. Side quests, like collecting journals or helping NPCs, deepen the lore without filler.

At 30 hours for the main story (60 with side content), it’s shorter than Persona 5 but perfectly paced, with surprises that hit hard. Some plot twists can feel messy, as IGN notes, but the emotional payoff lands. This isn’t a spoiler-heavy review, but trust us: you’ll be thinking about these characters long after the credits roll.

Sound and Performance

Lorien Testard’s soundtrack is a contender for 2025’s best, blending haunting sopranos, swelling orchestras, and even dubstep for boss fights. It’s up there with NieR: Automata for emotional impact. Voice acting is top-tier, with Jennifer English’s Maelle stealing scenes with sardonic charm. On PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X, the game runs smoothly at 60 FPS in Performance mode, though Quality mode has minor frame drops. PC players report occasional optimization issues on Steam Deck, but patches are rolling out. The 55 GB install size is reasonable for its visual fidelity.

Why It’s a Must-Play

• Combat Bliss: The hybrid turn-based/real-time system is deep, flashy, and rewarding.
• Gorgeous World: Belle Époque meets dark fantasy in a surreal, unforgettable setting.
• Emotional Story: A mature, moving narrative with lovable characters and stellar voice work.
• Perfect Length: 30–60 hours of focused content, no filler.
• Game Pass Win: Free on Xbox Game Pass day one, making it a no-brainer for subscribers.

The Not-So-Good

• No Minimap: Dungeons can be disorienting without navigation aids.
• Combat Learning Curve: Real-time mechanics may frustrate casual players.
• Occasional Bugs: Minor frame drops and PC optimization issues need patches.
• Linear Exploration: Fans of open-world RPGs might want more freedom.

How It Stacks Up

Clair Obscur outshines peers like Metaphor: ReFantazio with its tighter focus and bolder combat, though it lacks Persona’s social sim depth. Compared to Final Fantasy XVI, it’s less cinematic but more strategic. Against Oblivion Remastered, released days earlier, it’s a different beast—less open but more polished and story-driven. Its 91/100 OpenCritic score, tying it with Blue Prince as 2025’s best-reviewed game, cements its elite status.

Tips for Your Expedition

• Master Parrying: Practice dodge and parry timing early—AP management is key.
• Explore Everywhere: Check nooks for journals and Pictos to boost your build.
• Mix Builds: Combine Gustave’s heavy attacks with Maelle’s sniping for max damage.
• Save Often: Bugs are rare but can hit. Manual saves are your friend.
• Try Game Pass: If you’re on Xbox, play it free before buying.

A Genre-Defining Triumph

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a revelation—a debut that rivals RPG giants like Final Fantasy and Persona while carving its own path. Sandfall Interactive’s 30-person team (plus outsourced support) delivers a visual, narrative, and mechanical stunner that’s haunting, hilarious, and hard to put down. The lack of a minimap and minor tech hiccups don’t dull its shine. At $49.99 (or free on Game Pass), it’s a steal for a 30–60-hour epic that’ll linger like a masterpiece painting. This is the RPG to beat in 2025, and we can’t wait to see what Sandfall does next.

Score: 9.5/10

What’s your take on Clair Obscur’s world and combat? Drop your thoughts in the comments or send us an email!