As someone who’s played countless RPGs over the years, it’s rare to come across a game that feels both fresh and deeply emotional. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, released in April 2025 by Sandfall Interactive, is exactly that kind of game. It’s a turn-based RPG wrapped in a beautifully haunting world inspired by Belle Époque France, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite experiences this year.
Review: Why Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is the Defining RPG of 2025
The premise is as simple as it is chilling: once a year, a supernatural entity known as the Paintress wakes to paint a cursed number on a monolith. Anyone of that age instantly vanishes from existence, erased into smoke. This year, the number is 33.
You lead Expedition 33, a desperate final crusade of adventurers racing against time to break this deadly cycle before the Paintress paints again. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just another fantasy game; it is a melancholic masterpiece that challenges how we think about turn-based RPGs.
A Story That Grips You From the Start
What sets Expedition 33 apart is its refusal to treat its characters as mere stats on a screen. The narrative explores themes of mortality, fleeting memory, and the human connections that persist in the face of inevitable death. The writing is mature and nuanced, avoiding the typical "save the world" tropes in favor of something far more personal.
The cast is brought to life by a powerhouse lineup of voice talent. Charlie Cox (Daredevil) brings a weary determination to the lead role, while Andy Serkis delivers a performance that adds immense gravitas to the gentle giant, Esquie. These aren't just NPCs; they feel like real people living on borrowed time.
Gameplay: The Evolution of Turn-Based Combat
If you are worried that "turn-based" means "slow," think again. Expedition 33 introduces a reactive turn-based system that demands your full attention.
Active Defense: Similar to Super Mario RPG or Sea of Stars, but with a gritty evolution, you must time your button presses to parry, dodge, or counter enemy attacks in real-time.
Skill Combos: The combat encourages experimentation. You aren't just selecting "Attack"; you are chaining status effects and positioning your squad to exploit elemental weaknesses.
Camp Mechanics: Between missions, setting up camp offers a moment of respite. Here, you upgrade gear, craft weapons, and deepen relationships, mechanics that directly influence your combat synergy.
The "No-Hit" Community Challenge
Because of the game’s unique real-time parry system, a competitive scene has already sprung up. Players are competing to see who can survive boss encounters without taking a single scratch.
This mechanical depth makes the game a perfect candidate for Glitchover. We are seeing a trend where fans aren't just watching streams; they are queuing up to take control during specific boss phases to prove their parry timing is superior to the streamer's. It’s adding a layer of interactive unpredictability that standard "Let's Plays" just can't match.
Creators You Should Watch
If you want to see this game played at its highest potential, there are two creators you need to check out:
CohhCarnage: For the ultimate "story-first" experience. Cohh is known for reading every lore entry and exploring every corner of the map. If you want to understand the world of the Paintress in depth, his channel is the place to be.
Mortismal Gaming: If you are interested in the mechanics, builds, and whether the game is worth your time, his "Review After 100%" is essential viewing. He breaks down the combat complexity in a way few others can.
Visuals and Sound: An Unreal Engine 5 Masterpiece
Visually, Expedition 33 is a stunner. The art direction draws heavily from Belle Époque aesthetics, think late 19th-century French architecture mixed with surreal dark fantasy. It feels like stepping into a living, breathing painting.
Accompanying the visuals is a haunting soundtrack by Émilie Simon. The music swells and fades perfectly with the emotional beats of the story, ensuring that the atmosphere is always thick with tension and beauty.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Play for RPG Fans
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 felt less like playing a game and more like uncovering a hidden gem. It balances tactical, brain-burning combat with emotional storytelling in a way that very few games manage.
The critical consensus, hovering around a 95 on Metacritic, confirms what we felt while playing: this is a standout title that pushes the genre forward. Whether you are here for the tactical challenge or the heart-wrenching story, this is one expedition you cannot afford to miss.