Ever since its reveal at Xbox’s 2024 Games Showcase, one game has been stuck in my mind: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Coming from a fan of turn-based RPGs, if this first outing by Sandfall Interactive sticks the landing, it could redefine what a modern turn-based RPG means. Its latest trailer during the Xbox Developer Direct has cemented not only that feeling, but also that it could be an all-timer.
Numerous RPGs in the past have revolved around suicide missions or pilgrimages that are certain to end in death for the good of the many. Final Fantasy X and Visions of Mana, just to name a few. Expedition 33 takes that concept and raises the stakes through a curse. Every year, the Paintress awakens to paint a new number—anyone older than that number dies. Expeditions try to defeat the Paintress before it’s too late. Yet no expedition has ever returned.
Get BWT in your inbox!
Get BWT in your inbox!
All set in a beautiful Belle Epoque setting, this dark fantasy raises the bar to have stakes so high that it’s almost unimaginable to think about what the story could lead to with its revelations. Plus, this is a worldwide issue with a dwindling number of survivors each year who may be capable of somehow stopping this phenomenon. So not only is the story exciting, it makes you think. It brings players in without mysteries but doesn’t give any clues to spell it all out for you.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 promises to take its turn-based gameplay up to an eleven.
The turn-based gameplay takes classic elements and ramps them up to eleven. Specifically, the combat shown so far keeps the player engaged regardless of what’s happening. Combat requires constant attention through quick time events and interactive elements to get more effective results out of actions, counter, or reduce incoming damage. And it all just looks exceptionally stylish and clean. Menus look in depth while keeping with the artistic theme. It seems almost like taking the best elements of a Persona game with Like A Dragon gameplay elements.
Plus there is the recently revealed world map, which is highly detailed and fully explorable. An explorable open world map compared to a fully realized open world feels more manageable, particularly when it comes to exploration and end-game content. The developers indicate there will be lots to explore, too, including hidden and challenging bosses to overcome as the game progresses. With how cool the bosses shown off have been so far for just the early game, late-to-endgame experiences seem promising, too. The icing on top? You get creatures that are super cute Big Guys to explore it with. Like one that turns into a bouncing balloon!
Finally, the characters sound, look, and act uniquely compared to each other. Each character is flawed, but every member of Expedition 33 cares for each other’s well-being. What these flaws are, it’s hard to tell. But growing up in this messed-up world has to cause a lot of mental issues and strife. Plus, the addition of non-humans who don’t seem to be affected by the curse is a great way to balance the dread these people must be facing.
It’s hard to write about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 without gushing. And that’s before even playing the game. Could this game quickly get overhyped or not live up to how I picture the final product? Absolutely. Yet every trailer and developer showcase has cemented this game as not only being one of my most anticipated games of 2025 but possibly top the list of my all-time favorite RPGs.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on April 24th on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
