Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, stands out in a crowded genre. It draws inspiration from titles like Final Fantasy, Persona, and Lost Odyssey. Still, it confidently creates something original with its compelling world, new systems, and dramatic storytelling.

The story begins with a haunting premise. In this world, people die at a specific age, and each year, the oldest living members are sent on expeditions. Their goal is to learn more about the dying world and defeat a supernatural enemy called the Paintress. This unique setup adds urgency and emotion to every decision. The cast includes high-profile names like Andy Serkis, Jennifer English, Charlie Cox, and Ben Starr, and their performances elevate the narrative significantly.

Engaging Combat That Blends Old and New

The combat in Expedition 33 blends traditional turn-based systems with active mechanics. As enemies attack, players can dodge or parry to reduce or reflect damage. These moves require precision, especially in boss fights, and reward well-timed inputs with powerful counterattacks.

While the game offers turn-based encounters, it constantly adds fresh elements. Each character introduces a unique mechanic. One builds up energy for an electric blast. Another uses a stackable card system for timed elemental combos. A third leaves behind elemental stains that boost follow-up attacks. These layers encourage strategic thinking and allow for satisfying setups during battle.

Combat zones link through a large overworld map. The game encourages exploration through side areas, hidden bosses, and gear upgrades. There’s also a free-aim mechanic that lets players target enemy weak points or disarm them. This system adds flexibility but feels underutilized. A sequel could easily expand on it.

Story, Exploration, and World Design

Expedition 33’s world feels rich and imaginative. Players explore crystallized caverns, sunken cities, enchanted forests, and quirky villages full of paintbrush creatures. The writing balances heavy emotional beats with moments of humor, creating an engaging tone without relying on constant jokes or tired tropes.

However, the platforming leaves room for improvement. Characters can jump and climb, but the movement feels awkward. Precision jumps and narrow walkways often result in frustration. These moments are rare but noticeable. In addition, the lack of detailed maps can make navigation difficult. The overworld map lacks proper labels, and individual zones have no maps at all. Backtracking or revisiting areas becomes more confusing than necessary.

Despite those issues, the story pacing remains strong. The desire to revisit the starting hub area speaks to how well the world and characters are crafted. Technically, the game runs well with only mild stuttering and a few visual glitches, mostly related to cutscenes. Nothing major affects the experience.

Customization, Skills, and Replayability

The game offers a strong sense of progression. Players distribute stat points and use skill trees to unlock up to six combat abilities at a time. These include powerful attacks, debuffs, heals, or unique stances. One character’s stance mechanic, for instance, lets them switch between attack and defense modes based on enemy conditions. This feature adds variety and depth without overwhelming the player early on.

Combat customization also includes equippable items that give bonuses like extra attack points or healing effects on dodges. There’s a wide range of items to collect, although the UI can feel cluttered. A simplified display would improve clarity, especially when sorting through rows of gear.

Clair Obscur also includes a traditional loot and weapon upgrade system. You gather materials, enhance your favorite weapons, and stick with preferred setups. There’s no pressure to constantly switch gear unless you want to experiment. All of this supports player expression without forcing grind-heavy mechanics.

The game runs about 30 to 40 hours, depending on playstyle. Side content adds more, and a New Game Plus mode offers extended value. The soundtrack, with its French-inspired themes, stands out as a lasting highlight. Catchy melodies stick in your head long after the session ends.