A turn-based video game with emotional depth, Expedition 33 blends Final Fantasy inspiration with stunning visuals and powerful characters.
“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" is a genre-defying video game now available on PlayStation, Xbox Series X, and PC. Developed in Monaco, the game offers a striking mix of real-time tactics and turn-based gameplay, echoing the legacy of titles like while forging a unique identity.
With vivid, painterly visuals and a haunting atmosphere, the game captures attention instantly. You play as part of Expedition 33, the resistance squad aiming to stop the enigmatic Paintress from erasing lives with a single brushstroke.
“Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" is a genre-defying video game now available on PlayStation, Xbox Series X, and PC. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, a rising studio based in Monaco, the game offers a striking mix of real-time tactics and turn-based gameplay, echoing the legacy of titles like Final Fantasy while forging a unique identity.
With vivid, painterly visuals and a haunting atmosphere, the game captures attention instantly. You play as part of Expedition 33, the resistance squad aiming to stop the enigmatic Paintress from erasing lives with a single brushstroke.
how Expedition 33 balances emotional depth with relentless action. The game explores themes of fate, identity, and resistance, asking players to grapple with mortality and defiance in a world that wants them forgotten. Characters are rich with backstory, and the dialogue feels more like literature than exposition.
, especially its combat system and world-building. Even with familiar RPG tropes, Expedition 33 feels new—like it's daring you to feel something different with every turn.
Like Final Fantasy X, Expedition 33's system uses a queue-based mechanic layered with timed parries, attack triggers, and motion-based defense. This gives players an edge if they master rhythm and reflex, not just strategy.
Running beautifully via GeForce NOW, it offers smooth performance, even in scenes filled with dynamic lighting, shifting architecture, and emotionally charged battles.
The story is deeply personal, driven by characters like Maelle, a fierce protector; Lune, a gifted empath; and Gustave, a scarred warrior battling inner demons. Their journey is not just one of survival—but of meaning.
Performances from actors like Ben Starr, Jennifer English, and even Charlie Cox have been rumored or speculated for future voice talent expansion, drawing attention from fans of high-caliber storytelling in games.
April saw many releases, but none captured attention like Expedition 33. The game stands apart with its philosophical depth, questioning the meaning of existence, memory, and resistance through its cast.
IGN lauds the gameplay as “visceral and poetic," while the Washington Post notes how Sciel, the in-world faith system, plays a major role in shaping choices and consequences. The faith of Sciel not only shapes belief systems but also weaves into skill progression and moral decisions.
This Monaco-based game (often misspelled as Monoco) blends cultural aesthetics into every frame. Inspired by Monoco's classical European surroundings, the game's architecture tells stories even in silence.
Inspired by classical paintings and European architecture, Expedition 33's visual style is immediately captivating. From floating cities to warped, surreal dreamscapes, every location is layered with depth and symbolism.
Combat, while turn-based, injects real-time elements like timed attacks and defensive parries, requiring strategy and precision. As NVIDIA notes, the game performs beautifully on , ensuring high frame rates and visual fidelity across platforms—even on lower-spec devices.
Whether you're into turn-based strategy, narrative-driven titles, or just looking for your next standout experience on PlayStation or Xbox Series X, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must-play. Its unique visual style, rich character arcs, and impactful decisions offer an unforgettable ride through beauty and loss.
Miles Hollen · Editor
Editor
