Facing Extinction: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Delivers a Hauntingly Beautiful RPG Experience

Everybody dies. It's the one thing we all have in common. Most of us won't know when it will happen, but that's not the reality for those living with a terminal diagnosis. Though the estimated timeframe isn't exact, that doesn't really matter when faced with a death sentence. Over the past year, I've become all too familiar with terminal illness and its inevitable conclusion. It's an odd thing to live through; on one hand, I was essentially grieving for someone who was still alive, while on the other, I was trying to stay positive and act as if everything was normal for their sake, savoring each and every moment I still had left with them. Because of this experience, I instantly resonated with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and its unusual premise. Developed by French studio Sandfall, this turn-based RPG introduces a world where humanity faces a collective terminal diagnosis, of sorts.

A World Haunted by Mortality

The origins of Clair Obscur's premise begin 67 years prior to the start of the game's story, when a cataclysmic event known as the Fracture destroyed the Continent and shattered the land into pieces. One of those pieces is the city of Lumière, a surreal facsimile of Belle Époque era Paris, where landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe have been twisted, warped, and broken by the fantastical effects of the Fracture. The last remaining humans reside in Lumière, but with each passing year, humanity edges closer to extinction due to an ominous entity called the Paintress. Each year, this embodiment of death carves a new number into the monolithic structure looming on the horizon, and then a year later, everyone of that age dies. For 67 years, she's been counting down.

There's almost no one alive in Lumière who hasn't been touched by death in some way. The city's orphanages are overflowing with children, as couples debate whether to have kids of their own to keep humanity going or choose not to bring new life into such a bleak world. Some are at ease with death and content to live out their days managing market stalls or creating art on canvases and with musical instruments. Others dedicate their lives to researching new technologies and weapons to aid the expeditions that venture onto the Continent each year with the goal of killing the Paintress and preventing extinction. For those with one year left to live, joining an expedition is an appealing choice; the success rate might stand at 0%, with all previous expeditions failing to stop the Paintress or even return home, but what else do they have to lose?

The Expedition and its Characters

As part of the titular expedition 33, it's your job to finally succeed and save humanity where others have failed. Venturing into this strange and unknown world sets up a fantastic story that wades into the waters of loss, grief, family--the one we're born into and the one we choose--and the role art can play in helping us come to terms with and cope with death. Much of this is achieved through a fully fleshed-out and three-dimensional cast of characters, each bringing something unique to the table. From Sciel's infectious optimism in the face of so much melancholy to Lune's ambitious drive to unravel the mysteries of the Paintress, you'll gradually unravel how each character came to be who they are by conversing around the campfire and delving into their backstories.

The cast includes professional actors such as Charlie Cox (Gustave), Jennifer English(Maelle), Kirsty Rider, Shala Nyx, Ben Starr, and Andy Serkis. These characters offer intimate moments in a world full of dread.

Engaging and Reactive Combat

Getting to know your party of characters is one of Clair Obscur's intimate joys, and is only enhanced by an emotionally compelling narrative full of effective surprises and unforgettable moments. The game's combat isn't passive either. At first glance, the basics of battle resemble other JRPGs, but the "reactive" elements set it apart. Rather than passively watching, players are asked to engage in quick-time events to maximize effects. That also extends to its parry system; enemies will have different attack patterns with timing windows, with a correct parry offering a devastating counterattack.

Key Combat Features:

• Action Points (AP): Replenished by parrying and dodging, used for skills and offensive moves.
• Parrying: Requires precision timing for powerful counterattacks and AP gain.
• Dodging: A safer option for learning attack patterns.
• Character Unique Mechanics: Each character has unique abilities and playstyles, like Gustave building up Overdrive or Lune stacking elemental stains.

Beyond the core mechanics, Picto attachments offer stat boosts and customizable builds. These can be upgraded into Luminas, creating further customization.

Exploration and World Design

The game features a world map reminiscent of classic RPGs from the 1990s, adding a touch of nostalgia. Environments are visually stunning and dreamlike, blending natural and man-made structures in unexpected ways. The level design is fairly linear, but optional areas exist for exploration.

Influences and Comparisons

Clair Obscur draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including Final Fantasy, Persona, games like Lost Odyssey and even Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The game blends Japanese RPG sensibilities with Western aesthetics, offering a unique experience. Some comparisons have been made to Dragon Age due to its art style.

A Promising Debut

Despite minor issues like a lack of a mini-map and clipping issues, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is described as a compelling and engaged experience, punching above its weight considering its small development team. It's a strong addition to the RPG genre, lauded for its combat, storytelling, and emotional resonance.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on April 24, 2025.