10 Games To Play If You Like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out when compared to other RPGs thanks to its engaging action prompts that interweave seamlessly with its turn-based gameplay. On top of this, the abundance of French cultural inspiration, packed soundtrack, and unique approach to the age-old apocalypse narrative - it's borderline impossible to find a game that feels just like it.
RelatedClair Obscur: Expedition 33 - All Main Characters, Ranked
Who are the mightiest members of Expedition 33?
PostsHowever, there are a few titles that share different elements of Clair Obscur. So, if you've finished the impressive RPG adventure and you're looking for something similar, but refreshing at the same time, then there are a handful of options to consider depending on what exactly you're looking for.
10 Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
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JRPG Systems 4.5/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 89/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released June 14, 2024 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Atlus Publisher(s) Atlus, SEGA Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALWhile the narrative is an important aspect of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there are relaxing stretches of gameplay where you're free to explore sprawling areas and just enjoy the combat. If you like this meditative side of Clair Obscur, and you want a turn-based game that has the same feel, then Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is a perfect choice.
While Shin Megami Tensei does have an important narrative, this is by no means the primary focus of the game, and you'll have plenty of time to just roam the world and experiment with the refined turn-based combat gameplay.
9 Mario & Luigi: Brothership
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Like Follow FollowedMario & Luigi: Brothership
RPG Adventure Systems 4.5/5 6.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 77/100 Critics Rec: 68% Released November 7, 2024 ESRB E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Acquire Publisher(s) Nintendo Prequel(s) Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Mario & Luigi: Partners In TimeWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe tones of Clair Obscur and Mario & Luigi: Brothership could not be any further apart, but one core gameplay element that the games share is their approach to turn-based combat. The Mario RPG subseries is actually one of the longest-running RPG series to combine action prompts and turn-based gameplay, starting with the original Super Mario RPG, and continuing with every entry in the Mario & Luigi series after.
While any entry in this lighthearted RPG series is a perfect starting point since there isn't an overarching narrative, Brothership, the entry on the Nintendo Switch, has a stunning cell-shaded art style that makes it a beautiful game to look at.
8 Bravely Default
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JRPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 81% Released February 7, 2014 ESRB T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol Developer(s) Silicon Studio Publisher(s) Nintendo, Square Enix Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALEven though it's natural that certain aspects of RPGs will go out of fashion eventually, it's still sad that we don't get to see over-sized characters exploring a miniature overworld between settlements and dungeons as often anymore.
It's fantastic to see this tradition have new life breathed into it by Clair Obscur, and another modern RPG to utilize this style is the Bravely Default series. The first entry is the best starting point, and the Brave and Default battle system it introduced was influential enough to be carried into other popular turn-based series like Octopath Traveler.
7 Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth
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RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 92/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released February 29, 2024 ESRB T for Teen Developer(s) Square Enix Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Final FantasyWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIf you've finished Clair Obscur and you loved the combat and exploration, but you're now looking for something that feels similar, but leans more into the action side, then the second entry in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake series is a top pick.
RelatedFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth: Every Main Character's Outfits And Costumes
Yes, you can dress Tifa and Aerith as you already know, but luckily there are more costumes for them and the rest of the party.
PostsWhile it's worth playing the first game in the trilogy before, the second has a style of semi-open world exploration that feels most similar to Clair Obscur. Both share clear classic RPG inspiration, but if you want something with a little more gameplay variety and a slightly more lighthearted tone, then Rebirth is perfect.
6 Immortals Of Aveum
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Like Follow FollowedImmortals of Aveum
FPS Systems 2.5/5 7.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 72/100 Critics Rec: 49% Released August 22, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Ascendant Studios Publisher(s) EA Engine Unreal Engine 5WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONA distinct aesthetic choice for Clair Obscur is its modern and refined approach to a magic system. If you liked this style, then Immortals of Aveum is similar, albeit with a different genre of gameplay.
Immortals of Aveum switches the bullets of a traditional FPS with magic projectiles, and it's the perfect shake-up for the oft-stale genre to make it feel new. While it's first-person, the linear level design with opportunities for exploration feels similar to Clair Obscur as well.
5 Eternights
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Dating Sim Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 72/100 Critics Rec: 55% Released September 12, 2023 ESRB M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Engine UnityWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALWhile at first glance Eternights and Clair Obscur don't seem to have that much in common, the intense tone of their narratives and the focus on interpersonal bonds, too, make them end up feeling pretty similar.
RelatedEternights Vs. Persona: Which Is Better?
Eternights and the Persona series have many similarities, but which one is better?
PostsEternights is definitely a more condensed experience, with only a handful of characters and an action-RPG story that only takes about 10 hours to complete. However, this only serves to make it an even more fitting candidate for something more bite-sized after the much meatier Clair Obscur.
4 Rhythm Thief & The Emperor's Treasure
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Released January 19, 2012 Platform(s) 3DS Powered by Expand CollapseWhile it's not marketed as such, when you're getting into the depths of Clair Obscur, the battles start to feel like rhythm games as much as they are turn-based, especially with the more aggressive enemies.
If you loved this test of your memory and rhythm, and you want a charming game that focuses more on this aspect, then Rhythm Thief for the 3DS is a great choice. While you might think the rhythmic aspect is all these games share, they also both take heavy inspiration from the French capital of Paris in their designs, with Rhythm Thief being a little more on the nose, literally taking place in the city.
3 NieR: Automata
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Like Follow FollowedNieR: Automata
Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 89/100 Critics Rec: 93% Released March 7, 2017 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence Developer(s) Platinum Games Publisher(s) Square Enix Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise NieRWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALPart of what makes Clair Obscur so impressive is the palpable atmosphere it creates in each of its levels thanks to an expert combination of aesthetic and audio design. This isn't something that's easy to achieve, so it's pretty rare in the genre, but it's an aspect that NieR: Automata revels in.
While NieR is more action-focused than Clair Obscur, the slightly unnerving yet equally relaxing feeling of exploring a beautiful and mysterious post-apocalyptic world is almost uncanny in both.
2 Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout
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LikeAtelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
JRPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 80/100 Critics Rec: 80% Released October 29, 2019 ESRB T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Gust Publisher(s) Koei Tecmo Franchise AtelierWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALEven though Clair Obscur has its moments of levity, for the most part, it's an RPG that takes itself seriously. So, if you're looking for an equally in-depth turn-based RPG, but one that perhaps has lower stakes, then the Atelier Ryza trilogy is a great palette cleanser.
Atelier Ryza, like the rest of the Atelier series, has a strong focus on its alchemy system, but this only serves to enhance the interesting approach to turn-based combat, similarly to the Pictos and Luminas in Clair Obscur. Sometimes it's nice to trade an apocalyptic threat for a cozy alchemy adventure.
1 Metaphor: ReFantazio
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Like Follow FollowedMetaphor: ReFantazio
RPG JRPG Action Adventure Systems 5.0/5 12 8.9/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 93/100 Critics Rec: 98% Released October 11, 2024 ESRB T For Teen // Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Studio Zero Publisher(s) Atlus Engine GFDWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONMetaphor: ReFantazio and Clair Obscur have quite different structures, with Metaphor adapting Atlus' tried-and-tested Persona-style calendar system, while Clair Obscur goes for a more traditional JRPG style, but aside from this, the pair end up feeling quite similar to play through.
With a strong focus on building bonds between party members and a seamless connection between dungeon exploration and turn-based combat, the two RPGs are both memorable games that will stick with you long after they're over. However, it's worth noting that Metaphor: ReFantazio is a much more intense undertaking than Clair Obscur, taking twice as long to complete.
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Like Follow FollowedClair Obscur: Expedition 33
Turn-Based RPG Fantasy Systems 43 9.6/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 92/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released April 24, 2025 ESRB Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Sandfall Interactive Publisher(s) Kepler Interactive Engine Unreal Engine 5WHERE TO PLAY
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