Game Information

Game Title: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Platforms:

• PC (Apr 24, 2025)
• PlayStation 5 (Apr 24, 2025)
• Xbox Series X/S (Apr 24, 2025)

Trailer:

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 92 average - 97% recommended - 61 reviews

Critic Reviews

But Why Tho? - Arron Kluz - 7 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a competent new JRPG with which genre fans will likely be pleased. However, it does very little to iterate on the foundation laid by those that came before it. Instead, it’s content to offer its flavor of what has worked before.

---

CGMagazine - Chris De Hoog - 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a master-crafted RPG, blending several trends into a hybrid system that's as unrelenting as its heart-wrenching plot.

---

Capsule Computers - Dustin Spencer - 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an ambitious take on an old genre that is just as gratifying to look at as it is to engage in. A new franchise is born.

---

Checkpoint Gaming - Charlie Kelly - 10 / 10

Blasting the door down and becoming an instant masterpiece classic, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 defies all expectations and ambitions and then some. Looking at decades of genre refinement and somehow still managing to innovate, creating immensely tactical, thought-provoking and rich combat is nothing short of a miracle achieved at the hands of Sandfall Interactive. Accompanying it is an entirely fresh and magnificent world full of wonders and beauty, even despite its intricate and often harrowing narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and so many RPGs that have come before it, the little expedition that could will be plastered across history with the greats. Bravo.

---

Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - Unscored

Prior to my three hours of hands-on time playing this preview, I went in expecting Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to be an underdog, yet the deeper I delved into its mechanics and systems I came out thinking it had the potential to be one of 2025’s standout titles.

---

DualShockers - Jake Valentine - 10 / 10

Quote not yet available

---

Entertainium - Eduardo Rebouças - Liked

Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 borrows from tradition.

---

Fextralife - Castielle - 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur Expedition 33 is a once in a generation title that transcends gaming, and approaches a work of art. From it’s unique and compelling story, its cast of characters that are some of the best in the industry, a world design that feels more like a painting rather than a video game, and the other the top combat animations that are larger than life, Expedition 33 has it all! My personal favorite game this year, and now one of my all time favorite games as well. Don’t miss out one of the most memorable experiences you can have in entertainment, and get this Day 1!

---

GameSpot - Richard Wakeling - 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a phenomenal RPG, telling a heartbreaking tale while incorporating thrilling action into its tactical turn-based combat

---

Gamepressure - Giancarlo Saldana - 10 / 10

Simply put, Sandfall Interactive’s debut game is a masterclass in presentation, storytelling, and gameplay. It’s a game you need to play to experience.

---

Gamer Guides - Lexi Luddy - 98 / 100

Clair Obscur feels big, it feels important, it feels like a game for now, that you’ll be thinking about for years to come. Expedition 33 might be built off of the groundwork laid by decades of creatives that came before, but its impact is wholly singular and essential in its own right.

---

Gamersky - Chinese - 8.8 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a modern creation deeply infused with the soul of classic JRPGs, carving out a bold new possibility for the genre’s future. Its QTE-infused combat system brings a rare sense of impact and fluidity to turn-based battles, while boss encounters inspired by Souls-like design offer room for skill-based progression.

---

GamingBolt - Ravi Sinha - 9 / 10

Paying homage to those that came before yet bursting with its own creativity, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must-play title for RPG fans.

---

Kakuchopurei - Jonathan Toyad - 100 / 100

Veterans will love the callbacks and tributes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 pays to its inspirations, and get a sublime experience out of it. Even if you’re new to the genre, its narrative and unique world will draw you in, with its turn-based and combat mechanics spellbinding you like a world class French arthouse flick would to film critics.

Très magnifique, une expérience merveilleuse, as they say.

---

KeenGamer - Jack Carson - 9.5 / 10

With a gripping, haunting narrative that isn’t afraid to tackle darker themes, one of the best turn-based battle systems in RPG history, a gorgeous world to lose yourself in, and some of the best music and performances in years, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels like a miracle game. How Sandfall Interactive managed something this amazing on their first go around is a genuine Herculean achievement. This game is a love letter to the rich history of RPGs while also being the blueprint for the next step forward. This is my current Game of the Year frontrunner for 2025 and I can almost guarantee that if you love RPGs - whether you prefer turn-based or action - this game will blow you away.

---

Life is Xbox - Robby Bisschop - 100 / 100

Quite possibly the best RPG of its kind. Epic story with heartfelt moments, best-in class combat, gorgeous graphics and music that will linger for the rest of my life. I’ll be humming some of these tunes in the retirement home. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the real thing. This game will go down in history as a must-play RPG.

---

Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels truly unique and artistic, and reminds us how moving, exhilarating, and provocative big-budget adventure games can be.

---

MonsterVine - James Carr - 4 / 5

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 not only deftly improves upon the idea of active turn-based combat, but delivers it in a gorgeous and realized world. The characters are incredible, it dodges some of the more grating aspects of turn-based RPGs, and delivers a mature, and at times haunting, story, without falling into the traps of too much violence for the sake of maturity. A big narrative turn flattens the experience, and a few too many rough edges keep it from masterpiece status, but it is still an incredible experience.

---

One More Game - Vincent Ternida - 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a resounding triumph from Sandfall Interactive. It delivers a refreshingly bold RPG experience that stands out in a genre often crowded with titles that miss the mark. With meticulous balance, the game offers a blend of old meets new while crafting a tightly woven narrative alongside an excellent turn-based combat system that is simple to learn and strategically deep.

---

PlayStation Universe - Timothy Nunes - 9.5 / 10

I do not say this spontaneously or hyperbolically: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a generational RPG. The quality of writing is pitch-perfect at every step, vividly depicting the somber world and its tragic circumstances with glorious technique. Combat always feels rewarding when successful, but it can feel like a slog if you don’t get the hang of the parry and trait systems. The linear nature of the game helps to balance out the lack of mini-map, so try and not let those factors keep you away from at least trying this brilliant game.

---

Push Square - Liam Croft - 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the most refreshing and original RPGs in years, even if it’s not immediately obvious from the outside looking in. The intriguing setup expands to provide an engrossing, excellent narrative with lovable and charismatic characters. The exemplary combat goes above and beyond its turn-based traditions with flashy fights and new ways to damage. This is the kind of experience that proves there’s still so much potential and creativity in the bigger-budget video game space - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is simply sublime.

---

Quest Daily - Shaun Fullard - 9.5 / 10

Expedition 33 is a game that spoke to my soul. I quickly fell in love with this awe-inspiring yet melancholic world and the survivors left in it, and even though it tore my heart to shreds multiple times, I’d happily do it all over again.

---

RPGamer - Ryan Costa - 5 / 5

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a journey that blasts the senses from beginning to end.  The melancholic and bleak moments are balanced by the characters’ perseverance, which makes their triumphs shine much brighter.  There’s a profound sense of style and substance that only expands as more of the world is uncovered.  What results is a true work of art that ties its brilliant components together into a complete package, which is awe inspiring to come from a freshman developer.

---

Restart.run - Logan Woerner - 4 / 5

After a swift 30 hours with the game, I will happily tell you how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 exceeded my expectations and left me curious for more.

---

Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 10 / 10

When someone who is passionate about JRPGs and has the skills to make one, a masterpiece like Expedition 33 is born. It is a game that gave me the classic JRPG experience while paving it’s way as it’s own thing

---

SavePoint Gaming - Zhiqing Wan - 7 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may be predictable at times, but it’s bolstered by its excellent voice cast and compelling turn-based combat.

---

Sirus Gaming - Erickson Melchor - 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare triumph for such a small studio. The devs at Sandfall Interactive aimed for the stars, and they delivered a game that JRPG fans have always wanted from a Western studio. I can’t recommend this game enough.

---

Stevivor - Matt Gosper - 9.5 / 10

This is a kind of story that hasn’t been seen in modern RPGs, with a level and distinctiveness in visual presentation that leaves many franchises right now in the dust. All this plus a star-studded voice cast makes Clair Obscur Expedition 33 an amazing first outing from the studio, and a powerful statement that the RPG genre is still growing and evolving to this day.

---

TechRaptor - Erren Van Duine - 9 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a milestone achievement for Sandfall Interactive. Fans of turn-based RPGs should be right at home with its traditional stylings tuned for a modern age, and while difficulty can ramp up without warning, the challenge of getting through each battle makes it all worthwhile.

---

The Games Machine - Gabriele Barducci - Italian - 9.4 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a title of rare beauty. An unexpected masterpiece that will appeal to all fans of turn-based RPGs.

---

The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 10 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterful RPG. It brings a stunning art style that stays front and center while revamping a classic combat system into something engaging and accessible. It’s an easy contender for GOTY and a terrific debut for Sandfall Interactive.

---

VDGMS - Darren Andrew - 9.5 / 10

Final Fantasy, Persona, Chrono Trigger are just some of the inherent influences, but it was the inspiration from Sekiro and the French heritage of Sandfall Interactive that made Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feel like the dawn of a new era of turn-based RPG’s, as it equally pays tribute to those who came before, as much as it innovates for those who will come after.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a breath of fresh air because it prioritizes a compelling vision over following trends. It doesn’t resort to witty sarcasm in its dialogue or try to capitalize on current popular settings for the story, and there isn’t an attempt to infuse the latest real-time gameplay gimmicks. Sandfall have made a bold decision, especially considering it’s their debut title, to deviate from modern RPG conventions. Trends don’t age well, but artistic vision does and Expedition 33 has all the markings of becoming a timeless classic.

---

WellPlayed - Mark Isaacson - 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a confident new IP, bold in its execution and not afraid to mix old and new ideas. It’s a stunning achievement, born from passion and raised within technical excellence equal to the best in the business. Go in unspoiled and be ready for a truly rewarding experience.

---

Xbox Achievements - Dan Webb - 80%

A lot has been said about the price of video games and the general price of video game development in recent years. Publishers and developers will cit…

---

Xbox Tavern - Jamie Collyer - 10 / 10

As you can hopefully tell, I absolutely adore Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It’s the first game in some time that I’ve found myself utterly lost in, so much so that I genuinely did not want to put the controller down. Any minor gripes there might be to have (some areas can get a little confusing to navigate at times, though none are so big that it remains a problem for long) are easily outnumbered by the sheer brilliance of the full product from start to finish. Combat, presentation, exploration, story; it’s all so damn good that I cannot recommend highly enough that you go play this game. We’ve still got a long way to go this year, and a few big hitters to come, but man, it’ll take something special to give Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a run for its money.

---

XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 9.5 / 10

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a beautifully inventive, heart-breaking experience of love, loss, and the will to survive

---