Review: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - A Modern Masterpiece on Xbox Game Pass
Tomorrow comes!
I couldn’t tell you the exact moment Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 became my all-time favourite turn-based RPG - and I’ve played a lot of turn-based RPGs, folks. Some of which are in my top five games of all time. But after 50 hours, a broken heart, and more belly laughs than I could count, I found myself wishing I could wipe my memory clean - just to experience it all again. Expedition 33 has me in a chokehold, and it’s not about to let go.
Since completing this dark fantasy RPG, it’s fair to admit it’s not without a few flaws - but it’s definitely hard to believe this is Sandfall Interactive’s debut game. It’s not that I doubted the first-time developer - far from it. But because, frankly, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is sensational.
I won’t spoil the story in this review, rest assured - and if you can, I’d highly recommend going into this as unsullied as possible. As every tear, giggle, surprise, and twist in the tale are well worth relishing in your own time. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a phenomenal first effort from Sandfall Interactive. A Shakespearean masterclass in joy and sorrow, and 30-60 hours of the very best turn-based RPG action I’ve played in years.
If you’re unfamiliar with the premise of this whole thing, the setup here is some truly captivating stuff. See, some 67 years ago, a cataclysmic Fracture shattered the world as we know it. Society collapsed. Dangerous creatures now roam beyond the walls of Lumière. And at the edge of this fading belle-époque civilisation sits the Paintress - a seemingly all-powerful deity. Year after year, she paints a cursed number. And when she does, everyone of that age dies. Thanos-snapped from existence. Not a strand of hair, nor a thread of clothing left to hold onto them by. Gone. And as the years go on, the number gets smaller, the people die younger, and futures fade away. And so, in a final act of defiance, the citizens of Lumière volunteer their last year of life to the Expedition - braving the unknown in the hope of killing the Paintress, and ending her painted death once and for all.
Within half an hour of starting the game, I witnessed the Gommage - what I’d call the mass culling of millennials in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. On that day, the streets of Lumière hum with grim anticipation: parents arrange new homes for their children, Expeditions seek fresh volunteers, and the doomed prepare their final goodbyes. I thought I was ready. Emotionally stable and what-not - after all, I’d gone hands-on earlier this year - but I couldn’t have been more wrong. And to be honest, I’m hesitant to say much more - because it’s too good to spoil a single second of.
Drawing clear inspiration from JRPG greats like Final Fantasy and Persona, Expedition 33 channels high drama through rich characters, an addictive battle system, and deeply poignant lore. Gustave, Maelle, and the rest of the Expedition played my heartstrings like seasoned musicians, whilst remnants of past doomed missions - these glowing journals and messages - serve as a haunting breadcrumb trail through this painterly world. As you uncover the origins of the Fracture, the truth behind the Paintress, and the fate of those who came before, it’s not just the mystery that hooks you, nor the goal - it’s the sheer emotional weight of the journey.
And let’s give the cast their flowers too. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 boasts a star-studded lineup, from Charlie Cox and Andy Serkis to Jennifer English and Kirsty Rider, each breathing soul into their roles. Gustave, Maelle, Lune, Sciel - they’re not just characters, they’re people. Their performances don’t just carry the story, they anchor it. You feel every heartbreak, every laugh, every moment of hope or horror. And then there’s Ben Starr and Rich Keeble. Those two, eh? I was wheezing. Their chemistry is electric and I vividly remember a scene between the two where I ended up with a coffee soaked monitor, and a stitch from laughing at these two talented sods. No notes.
There may come a time near the game’s conclusion when some players might find the process of unpacking its more ambiguous themes a hurdle to a perfect score - but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 does enough to keep its gritty maturity, flashes of whimsy, and sweeping fantasy feeling cohesive and intentional. Aside from that one point of hesitation, I’d say nearly everything else is executed flawlessly: the game is slick, stylish, and powered by a core gameplay loop that’s as intoxicating as it is addictive. It keeps you locked in for a surprisingly lean RPG, clocking in at a tight 30 hours for the main story - something my severe lack of free time is grateful for.
Once our Expeditioners venture deeper into the Continent, Sandfall Interactive gets to work showcasing a breathtaking high fantasy world - drenched in 19th-century gothic surrealism. That vision comes alive in unforgettable environments like the ‘Flying Waters’ - an underwater region that somehow isn’t underwater? - or Visages, a later area where giant, disembodied heads line the walls, something I’m not likely to forget.
You’ve got to hand it to Sandfall’s Art Director, Nicholas Maxson-Francombe, for conjuring some truly fantastical and deranged beasties. One boss in particular - the Lampmaster - left a lasting impression in its lead up, eerie Victorian silhouette, and collection of cursed, flickering lamps. Like something out of Bloodborne, at least it was before the Expedition proceeded to beat the living ‘night-lights’ out of it.
Whilst we’re on the topic of pummelling fantastical beasties with your pals, the combat on offer from Sandfall Interactive is simply sensational. I’ll hold up my hand and admit that its turn-based battles aren’t revolutionary - but what makes them special is the full picture. You can sense the JRPGS that laid the trail. Nods to Squall’s Gunblade in Final Fantasy VIII, where well-timed button presses boost your damage output, and a clear influence from Persona’s social links, unlocking new flashy Gradient attacks if you spend time getting to know your fellow Expeditioners in between scraps at camp. It’s all wrapped in slick, ink-splashed battle menus and screen-shaking attacks that make every move feel impactful and stylish. This is a combat system that thrives on synergy, precision, and a touch of spectacle.
I found myself gravitating toward defense over offense. Whilst the game’s combat system lets you unlock new abilities to mix and match, experiment with over a hundred Pictos, and chain stylish combos between Expeditioners, offensive play can eventually slip into muscle memory unless the switch things up. Defense demands more from you. When a new enemy rears its twisted gothic head, you're encouraged to study it - every twitch, every wind-up. Should you parry? Dodge? Jump? One particularly nasty mini-boss I ate dirt to more than once relies entirely on timed parries and sharp counters. Mastering that defensive rhythm turns combat into a dance of timing, patience, and payoff.
Your Expedition consists of up to three party members at a time, and outside of battle, you’re free to swap them in and out as you like. If, for whatever reason, a Nevron decides to absolutely flatten your main trio? No sweat. Your reserves leap in, ready to cash cheques and avenge your poor, squishy, blood-soaked frontliners.
Getting trampled by an overworld boss happened to me more times than I’d like to admit - though I mostly blame my own stubbornness. I genuinely believed a solid parry and sheer force of will was all I needed to win any fight (and honestly, I still believe that... this is my curse). Took me a while to realise these towering nightmares aren’t just tough - they’re meant to crush you in the opening hours. They’re endgame material. So yeah, even after you wrap up your journey with the Paintress, and once your comical companion Esquie learns how to fly around the world map, Expedition 33 has another 30ish hours of boss fights and bizarre Gestral trials lined up, just in case you weren’t feeling sufficiently humbled.
Honestly, there’s so much more I want to say. So much I can’t say without ruining the magic. The laughs. The tears. The moments. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an all-timer in my books - and you won’t convince me otherwise.
Conclusion
I won’t lie to you - I knew Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 had me hooked from my time with the early preview a few months ago. By the time I completed my 50-hour journey, broken hearted and exhilarated, I knew this game would live forever in my all-time RPG list. Sandfall Interactive's debut is nothing short of remarkable - an epic tale of joy, sorrow, and stunning adventure that skilfully blends rich, high-drama storytelling with an addictive, dynamic battle system.
Sure, there are a few moments where the game’s more ambiguous themes might throw some players off, but the emotional weight, the best-in-class combat system, and the jaw-dropping visuals easily overshadow any minor hiccups. And once you've finished the main story, there’s still hours of endgame bosses and challenges to keep you coming back for more.
In short, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a perfect blend of everything I love in turn-based RPGs. It’s haunting, hilarious, and - dare I say it - one of the best I've ever played. If you’re looking for a game that not only challenges your skills but also tugs at your heartstrings, this is it. It’s already an instant classic in my eyes, and I’ll be recommending it for years to come.
10/10
Masterpiece
Craig Reid