Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been blowing up all over the internet with its breathtaking story, characters, gameplay, and more. This $50 game from an indie company is a gem in the gaming industry, and there are so many reasons why we should have more video games like it.
Popular turn-based role-playing games, such as Persona and Final Fantasy, usually come from Japan. It's refreshing to see one hail from a different origin, which may be one reason why many gamers were surprised by how good the game was.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has stunning visuals, from the environment to the character designs. The world is crafted beautifully despite its muted tones in some parts. Each place in the world has unique traits, with some being haunting while others make you feel at ease. However, the developers intentionally left out a minimap to preserve the mystery of each location (which can make you feel lost at times).
Don't get me started on the beautiful soundtrack that the game has. It gets you immersed in the world, with serene music as you explore The Continent, or the intense music when you are in a battle. It truly adds to the overall experience of playing Clair Obscur.
The game uses turn-based mechanics for its core gameplay. Usually, there isn't much to do in these RPGs other than plan out your turns. However, Clair Obscur's gameplay becomes dynamic with the use of QTEs, dodges, parries, and more. There are also unique passives for each character that you have to take note of. In some sense, it can be complex due to the build variants (which can depend on the weapons and Pictos that you acquire throughout your gameplay).
click to enlargeLast but definitely not least are the characters of the game. Each of them has a personality and their own charm. Expedition 33 members such as Maelle, the Gestrals (who are adorable and steal the spotlight from the main characters), and Expedition 0, even the Nevrons, are interesting despite how they're trying to kill us with every turn. I love the humor that the game throws at you, even at a dark time. This is embodied well by characters such as Verso and Monoco with their banter.
While there are criticisms about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the development team's passion and love for creation are evident based on how the game turned out. In a sense, this gave the game a soul. It's something that a lot of games lack nowadays, but this should be a reminder to all gaming developers and companies.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Features and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 page.