The setting of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a fragmented and fractured world, a surreal archipelago shattered by a catastrophic event called `the Fracture.` Annually, a colossal elderly woman appears on the horizon at the world`s edge, inscribing a number on an obelisk. Subsequently, everyone exceeding that age is wiped from existence, dissolving into dust before the eyes of their loved ones.
Each year, this number grows smaller.
In a desperate gamble, humanity dispatches a fated expedition, members sacrificing their final year of life to venture beyond the relative safety of the last human city on a quest to assassinate this being, known only as the Paintress.
This world is rendered with soft, artistic brushstrokes, under skies vibrant with shifting auroras. Shattered cliffs host impossible waterfalls plunging into the void. Shimmering light and caustics play across the landscape, creating an effect akin to exploring a giant aquarium or an alien realm shaped by divine power. It truly feels like wandering through a dream.
Traversing this largely human-less world evokes a profound sense of hopelessness, amplified by achingly beautiful piano scores and soaring, operatic tracks that instill longing. This specific emotional resonance hasn`t been matched in games since Nier: Automata, blended with the unsettling, alien dread found in New Weird fiction such as Jeff VanderMeer`s Annihilation.
Developed by a relatively small French studio, certain budget limitations are apparent—dialogue sequences often cut to a black screen instead of showing character animations, and some areas feel less developed than originally planned. Nevertheless, Expedition 33 showcases remarkable vision and ambition. The production cleverly allocates resources to critical areas: major emotional moments are delivered via stunningly animated cutscenes, while the core combat gameplay (where players spend significant time) is polished, deep, and arguably surpasses some of its genre inspirations.
The game`s inspirations are evident from the start: a quest to challenge a divine entity, turn-based combat featuring a diverse party of characters (some quite quirky), and an expansive overworld navigable initially on foot, then by sea, and finally by air. However, despite drawing parallels with series like Final Fantasy, Expedition 33 stands as its own distinct experience, not a mere imitation.
While Final Fantasy titles have shifted towards real-time combat, Expedition 33 envisions how classic turn-based JRPG mechanics could evolve for modern players without abandoning their core. The outcome is a turn-based system that maintains constant engagement, requiring timed button presses for boosted damage, dodges, parries, and jumping over enemy assaults. Foes signal their moves, lending combat a feel akin to a rhythm-action game, and you`ll instinctively learn the “rhythms” of different enemy attack patterns.
Initially, there was concern that skilled players could potentially negate all damage, trivializing combat. However, these fears proved groundless. The game presents numerous clever challenges, and effective character customization remains the most crucial element for overcoming difficult encounters.
Dwelling on the intricate details might be tedious, but put simply, the character customization system is among the most profound encountered. Players combine various statistical boosts and perks, from basic benefits like extra starting action points to astonishingly powerful effects like always acting twice consecutively. Multiple perks can be equipped simultaneously, often synergizing with each other or weapon abilities. Additionally, each character possesses unique mechanics and plays distinctly. Late in the game, one character could potentially deal 4.5 million damage in a single hit after just two setup turns – yet even with this power, the optional superboss proved mercilessly challenging.
And notably, the game`s ending was equally impactful…
With such a compelling premise, Expedition 33 could easily have mishandled its conclusion. Instead, it culminates in one of the most significant emotional impacts in recent memory. Driven by moving character performances and a narrative full of unexpected turns, the story efficiently explores complex themes. It delves into how we process grief, how personal sorrow can manifest externally, and the nature of our lasting legacy – whether through creative works or the ethical implications of bringing life into a world facing inevitable doom.
Minor drawbacks, such as unclear navigation cues and platforming segments reminiscent of Max Payne`s awkward tiptoeing, fade into insignificance when reflecting on the 50+ hours spent with Expedition 33. They feel like fleeting shadows within an otherwise vivid dream. This is a game that lingers long after the credits roll, prompting introspection as you gaze into the dark reflection of the screen. It leaves a profound void and prompts contemplation on mortality. It is undeniably dark, beautiful, and bold – a rare treasure in an era where game narratives are often smoothed over and made less challenging.
Finley Holt 
Callum Darby