Imagine a world where your life has an expiration date, literally counted down on a distant tower.
This is the haunting premise of Clare Obscur: Expedition 33, a new role-playing game (RPG) that blends classic Japanese RPG elements with fresh ideas and a touch of French artistry.
Created by French developer Sandfall, this game offers players a unique adventure filled with mystery, emotion, and strategic combat.
The Story: A Race Against Time
In the world of Clare Obscur, people live in a place called Lumiere, which means “light” in French.
But their world is far from bright.
Every year, a mysterious figure known as the Paintress marks a number on a faraway tower, counting down the age at which people will vanish into nothingness.
Talk about a ticking clock!
You lead a group of brave explorers on the 33rd expedition to try and stop the Paintress. Previous expeditions have failed, never returning home. It’s a dangerous mission, but the fate of your people depends on it.
This setup creates a mood of sadness and urgency throughout the game, as you and your team fight against extinction.
The story tackles heavy themes like facing death, making sacrifices for future generations, and dealing with grief.
While it can get a bit dramatic at times, the game’s excellent voice acting and realistic dialogue help make the characters feel genuine and relatable.
Gameplay: Turn-Based Battles with a Twist
If you’ve played games like Persona or Final Fantasy, you’ll feel right at home with Clare Obscur’s combat system.
But don’t be fooled – this game adds its own unique flavor to the mix.
The battles are turn-based, meaning you and your enemies take turns attacking each other.
However, Clare Obscur spices things up by adding real-time elements:
- Button inputs: Pressing buttons at the right time can boost your attacks or unlock special moves.
- Dodging and parrying: You can avoid enemy attacks or counter them if you time it right.
- Visual and audio cues: The game gives you hints about when to dodge or parry, making battles feel more interactive and intense.
Each character in your party has their own special abilities and resources to manage during battle. You’ll need to think strategically about how to use these skills together to defeat tough enemies.
The game also includes a system called “Pictos,” which are attachments that can dramatically change how your characters perform in battle.
As you progress through the game, the battles become more challenging, forcing you to try new strategies and really master the combat system.
While it might feel easy at first, don’t worry – things definitely heat up later on!
Exploring the World
Clare Obscur’s world map might remind you of older RPGs, with its mix of mandatory story locations and optional areas to explore.
As you unlock new ways to travel (like airships), you’ll be able to reach previously inaccessible places. These optional areas often hide powerful enemies, fun mini-games, or bits of extra story to discover.
The main story locations act like dungeons, where you fight enemies and collect items as you move forward. While these areas are pretty straightforward, they’re designed to keep the story moving at a good pace.
Plus, every place you visit looks amazing, from beautiful natural landscapes to creepy battlefields littered with the remains of past expeditions.
A Feast for the Eyes and Ears
Speaking of looks, Clare Obscur is a visually stunning game. Its art style blends elements of classic Japanese RPGs with a distinct French flair.
The developers weren’t afraid to embrace the “video game” feel of certain elements, like having checkpoints represented by flags left by previous expeditions.
But what really stands out is the game’s incredible soundtrack. The music does an amazing job of setting the mood, whether you’re gearing up for an intense battle or exploring a mysterious new area.
The Heart of the Story
While the gameplay and visuals are impressive, what really makes Clare Obscur special is its story and characters.
The game tackles some pretty heavy topics, like:
- Facing mortality: How do you live when you know exactly when you’ll die?
- Sacrificing for others: The main character often says, “For those who come after,” showing how the expedition isn’t just about saving themselves.
- Dealing with grief: The game explores how different people handle loss, and how grief can sometimes hurt those around us.
These themes are brought to life by excellent voice acting and dialogue that feels natural and real.
The game also balances its serious moments with touches of humor, often provided by silly wooden creatures called “gestals” that inhabit the world.
The Big Picture
Clare Obscur: Expedition 33 takes inspiration from many classic and modern RPGs but manages to create something that feels fresh and unique.
Here’s a quick rundown of its strengths:
- An engaging combat system that blends turn-based strategy with real-time elements
- A emotionally rich story that tackles deep themes
- Stunning visuals and an unforgettable soundtrack
- A good balance of main story and optional content
- Excellent voice acting and character development
The game isn’t perfect – the menus can be a bit messy, and sometimes the story moves in sudden directions.
But overall, it offers a compact yet satisfying RPG experience that stands strong next to its inspirations.
Who Should Play This Game?
Clare Obscur: Expedition 33 is a great choice for:
- Fans of classic Japanese RPGs who want something familiar but with a modern twist
- Players who enjoy strategic, turn-based combat
- Those who appreciate games with emotional stories and well-developed characters
- Anyone interested in experiencing a game with a unique French artistic influence
The game takes about 35 hours to complete the main story, with an additional 20 hours of optional content.
This makes it a bit shorter than some massive 80-hour RPGs, but that tighter focus helps keep the experience fresh from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
Clare Obscur: Expedition 33 proves that you can take inspiration from the past while still creating something new and exciting.
It combines familiar RPG elements with innovative ideas, wraps them in a beautiful artistic package, and delivers an emotional story that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
The game shows how video games can be more than just entertainment – they can be a way to explore complex emotions and ideas.
By putting players in the shoes of characters facing impossible odds and heart-wrenching decisions, Clare Obscur encourages us to think about our own lives, relationships, and the legacy we’ll leave behind.
So, if you’re ready for an adventure that will challenge your mind, test your reflexes, and maybe even tug at your heartstrings, it might be time to join Expedition 33 and uncover the mysteries of Clare Obscur.
