A Modern RPG Masterpiece
Clair Obscur: Expédition 33 needs to be experienced to be believed. The first game from French studio Sandfall Interactive is a masterpiece that delivers on every single front. An RPG that combines classic systems with modern gameplay and storytelling that would feel right at home in a blockbuster movie. It is the highest user-rated game on Metacritic of all time, endorsed by the French president, and last but certainly not least, it is simply stunning.
Enlist in Expedition 33
The plot of the game revolves around the Paintress, a mythical being that erases every single person of a certain age each year. Beginning at 100, the number now reads 33. With only one year left to live, the members of Expedition 33 are forced to embark on their final mission, to put an end to the Paintress and end her cycle of death for good. The plot is immediately engaging, and the ominous glow of the number in the sky is a bleak reminder of the consequences of failure. It truly is life or death, and the characters are likeable enough for the player to invest in their fate. Gustave (Charlie Cox) and Maelle (Jennifer English) are not only animated beautifully but are voice acted to perfection. They feel real with their flaws, breaking the mold of the perfect self-insert power fantasy RPGs are known for. It is a Sisyphean task to succeed in the expedition when so many before have failed, but it’s impossible not to truly believe that these characters will survive.
Outside the amazing story, the gameplay is a refreshing take on the classic turn-based RPG. Quick time events during combat for each attack keep the player engaged, and the parry/block system is genius. The satisfaction of perfectly parrying a combo into a counterattack is a feeling that just can’t be replicated. It isn’t a game where the player can spam a move or blow through the enemies as the overpowered main character. It is an uphill battle, one that the characters and the player are woefully unprepared for. However, this doesn’t detract from the game, but only enhances it. It has a typical RPG leveling system, but when combined with the focus on player skill, it never feels like a slog.
A Wonderfully Weird World
The setting and aesthetic of the dystopian world of Lumiere tie the game together perfectly. The world is inspired by Belle Époque, or the Beautiful Era, of France, crafting an environment that feels both vintage and undeniably current.
It’s breathtaking in an uncanny way, invoking just as much beauty as it does discomfort. From gorgeous fields of flowers to the bottom of an ocean, it is impossible to know where the story will go next. Within the bleak and unforgiving world, there lies so much beauty that will force the player to take a moment to just be awestruck.
These set pieces aren’t just sparkly empty shells either; the enemies are just as diverse as the locations. Each area brings in new bosses, enemies, and secrets to uncover and learn. It doesn’t hold the player’s hand; it’s incredibly likely to accidentally discover an eldritch monster that will decimate the team in a single move. This makes the cycle of exploration and combat endlessly unique and unexpected.
Haunting and Heartfelt Soundtrack
Clair Obscur: Expédition 33’s soundtrack can be described in a single word: unbelievable. The eight-hour and nine-minute score was entirely composed by Lorien Testard, who, according to an interview by the BBC, had never worked on a video game soundtrack before. Testard’s first video game soundtrack even hit number one on Billboard’s Classical Album Chart, and for good reason.
Every song and every note is beautiful. The score combines multiple genres, styles, and instruments to encapsulate each area and battle. The theme of the opening city, titled “Lumière,”, is a must-listen that sets the atmosphere and mood of the game instantly. It has haunting French vocals from Alice Duport-Percier and an orchestral performance by Orchestre Curieux. The music only evolves throughout the story, animating and bringing to life each area. Each environment becomes its own character. Diversity within a soundtrack is sorely underutilized within the modern gaming industry. It allows Testard to create something that only emphasizes the amount of work put into Clair Obscur: Expédition 33. The game doesn’t need to be played to enjoy the soundtrack, and that speaks of the overall quality of the entire project.
An Instant Classic
Clair Obscur: Expédition 33 is cheaper than Triple-A games by major publishers without sacrificing quality. It can be enjoyed by everyone, and the passion, creativity, and soul put into every pixel in the game couldn’t be clearer. The team at Sandfall Interactive has created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, one that the industry hasn’t seen and might not see again for a long time. Please go play this game, and as the French say, au revoir.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) Official Kepler Interactive Launch Trailer
Source: Dead Talk Live
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Source: Dead Talk Live
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Author
Elke Simmons' writing portfolio includes contributions to The Laredo Morning Times, Walt Disney World Eyes and Ears, Extinction Rebellion (XR) News/Blog, and Dead Talk News.