Original Story: Following some impressive showings over the last eight or nine months, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 brings its turn-based RPG goodness to Xbox Game Pass this week - and we have some early reviews of the title now circulating on the web.
So, we're going to round up some of those early impressions down below; helping you determine whether this one is worth a go on Microsoft's subscription service. Going off these scores, we think it's going to be well worth a try on Xbox Game Pass!
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may not be a ‘perfect’ game, but it was the ‘perfect’ game for me. It’s a game that left me awestruck with its unique setting and melodies, enthralled with its characters and world, hooked and held me with its gameplay, and has left me eagerly anticipating news of when I can return. This game is a celebration of the RPG genre made by a team whose heart and soul were poured into every aspect of the game. While some design decisions may not resonate with all players, Sandfall Interactive should be incredibly proud of their creation."
"In short, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a perfect blend of everything I love in turn-based RPGs. It’s haunting, hilarious, and - dare I say it - one of the best I've ever played. If you’re looking for a game that not only challenges your skills but also tugs at your heartstrings, this is it. It’s already an instant classic in my eyes, and I’ll be recommending it for years to come."
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a journey that blasts the senses from beginning to end. The melancholic and bleak moments are balanced by the characters' perseverance, which makes their triumphs shine much brighter. There's a profound sense of style and substance that only expands as more of the world is uncovered. What results is a true work of art that ties its brilliant components together into a complete package, which is awe inspiring to come from a freshman developer."
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an exemplary turn-based RPG that gets everything right: from the beautiful visual presentation to the world-building, from the dynamic and active battles to the deep customization systems. It’s a game that knows how to leverage classic JRPG structures and stands out by taking them further in a unique way."
"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the most refreshing and original RPGs in years, even if it’s not immediately obvious from the outside looking in. The intriguing setup expands to provide an engrossing, excellent narrative with lovable and charismatic characters. The exemplary combat goes above and beyond its turn-based traditions with flashy fights and new ways to damage. This is the kind of experience that proves there’s still so much potential and creativity in the bigger-budget video game space — Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is simply sublime."
IGN (9/10)
"In so many ways, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 reminded me of numerous classic and contemporary RPGs I love, but developer Sandfall truly understood why those games are special and made the pieces it borrowed its own. The creative turn-based combat system is brilliant, keeping me engaged while impressive visual flourishes bring it all together. The story can be a touch messy or melodramatic at times, but there’s an earnestness to how it frames mortality, grief, and the small moments of joy we find. It doesn’t shy away from the different, destructive ways we may handle loss, either – all of which is delivered through fantastic performances from an A-list cast that give its story the heart it needs to really hit."
"When you factor in the voice talent involved, the visual splendor on offer, and the sheer scale of the whole game, it really feels like Clair Obscur is punching above its weight, considering the comparatively small size of the team at Sandfall. This is a supremely confident game that reinterprets familiar mechanics with an imaginative eye. Its combat is a consistent delight, delivering thrills with thoughtful strategy and reactive action in equal measure, complementing a heartfelt story of shared grief and camaraderie. There are minor pitfalls in relation to its narrow exploration and some quality-of-life issues, but these missteps aren't enough to significantly detract from a game with all the makings of an RPG classic."
"What I may admire the most about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is how firmly it embraces a familiar, if currently rare genre (big budget, artistically expressive, turn-based RPGs), but does so without falling into any of its traps. The adventure isn’t overlong, and you don’t spend more time than necessary fighting. The world, art, and narrative are unique, but it makes me nostalgic for a game I remember from the past. It’s as though developer Sandfall Interactive managed to make a classic RPG with only the good parts. I’m sad in a way to have concluded the journey, but the adventure to pursue the Paintress will linger with me for some time."
"Outside the core plot, there's a wonderful silliness - and self-deprecation - to Clair Obscur that, together with its outstanding art direction and unique battle mechanics, ensure the game is distinct. It's an ambitious yet impressive debut from the studio that, despite a somewhat fanciful narrative, is a pensive examination of grief and the power of art. And while the development team has chosen to focus on certain areas to the detriment of others, where it succeeds it really excels. Clair Obscur may be a painting with a limited colour palette, but the result is a bold and striking vision."
At the time of writing, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has an incredibly impressive aggregate score of 91 on both Metacritic and OpenCritic, earning it the 'Universal Acclaim' and 'Mighty' tags on each platform, respectively. It's safe to say that this one has landed very well so far, and if you're into your turn-based RPGs, it looks well worth trying out later this week.
