We’re just days away from Sandfall Interactive’s innovative take on the JRPG genre, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 all set to bring its unique brand of storytelling to its players. The French studio’s debut title has been drawing a lot of positive attention since its reveal at Gamescom 2024, and for good reason.
With early previews of the game praising many facets of the experience it brings to the table, Clair Obscur has managed a fair amount of forward momentum in the run-up to its release. But can it live up to the hype? Are there any issues with its combat and gameplay? Does its ensemble cast manage to bring life to its protagonists? We have answers to all of these questions and more!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Release Date
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is slated to release on April 24, 2025. You can check out when it’s available in your specific region using the table below:
| Time zone | Launch time |
|---|---|
| PDT | Apr. 24, 12:00 a.m. |
| CDT | Apr. 24, 2:00 a.m. |
| COT | Apr. 24, 2:00 a.m. |
| EDT | Apr. 24, 3:00 a.m. |
| BRT | Apr. 24, 4:00 a.m. |
| BST | Apr. 24, 8:00 a.m. |
| CEST | Apr. 24, 9:00 a.m. |
| SAST | Apr. 24, 9:00 a.m. |
| EET | Apr. 24, 10:00 a.m. |
| AST | Apr. 24, 10:00 a.m. |
| GST | Apr. 24, 11:00 a.m. |
| UTC+7 | Apr. 24, 2:00 p.m. |
| UTC+8 | Apr. 24, 3:00 p.m. |
| KST | Apr. 24, 4:00 p.m. |
| JST | Apr. 24, 4:00 p.m. |
| AEST | Apr. 24, 5:00 p.m. |
| NZST | Apr. 24, 7:00 p.m. |
Platforms
Clair Obscur is playable on the PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Store. The game features enhancements for the PS5 Pro that will be very welcome, given its stunning visuals and unique art style. It’s also a day one release on Xbox Game Pass if you are a subscriber.
Furthermore, Sandfall has announced the minimum specs your PC will need to run the game without any issues, alongside recommendations on the best configuration for running it in all its glory.
| Specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X | Intel Core i7-11700K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB / AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB / Intel Arc A580 8GB | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8 GB / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16 GB |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 55 GB available space | 55 GB available space |
| Additional Notes | For 1080p 30FPS low settings gameplay | For 1080p 60FPS high settings gameplay |
Story
The name Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 bears the biggest clue to the game’s narrative. In French, “Clair Obscur” refers to a technique used by painters to create depth and dramatic effects on their canvas. However, the Belle Epoque-inspired world of Lumiere featured in the game is beset by a mysterious entity only known as The Paintress, whose canvas paints a very grim picture for its denizens.
Every year, The Paintress paints a number on a monolith, thereby eliminating any human being whose age matches that number. The stakes are high for Lumiere’s populace from the get-go, and they attempt to prevent their extinction by sending expeditions of trained warriors to The Paintress’ abode to try and stop her.
Expedition 33 is one such attempt to remove The Paintress’ malignant influence, and is brought to life by an ensemble cast who brave a visually stunning yet dangerous landscape in their efforts to save their fellow compatriots and Lumiere. Following in the footsteps of previous expeditions, your party encounters a variety of characters, both friend and foe, as their journey towards an inevitable showdown with The Paintress unfolds.
Multiplayer
Unfortunately, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not have a multiplayer mode and is designed to be a single-player experience from start to finish. While that could be a disappointment to some, the game packs enough of a punch to be enjoyed playing solo on account of some excellent gameplay mechanics.
Gameplay
Sandfall Interactive has pulled out all the stops to make Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a game for the ages. While it seems like a textbook JRPG on first glance, taking on the various enemies peppered throughout The Paintress’ domain presents you with innovative twists on the genre’s trappings.
For instance, an interesting change to the traditional turn-based formula allows you to dodge, block, or parry enemy attacks as they happen. Doing so allows you to turn the tables on your opponents while also netting some extra XP to spend on unlocking more skills for your characters. However, early previews suggest that parrying enemy attacks may not be as easy as in other titles, adding a layer of risk and reward to the core gameplay loop.
Furthermore, your own attacks come with quick-time events that allow you to deal some extra damage if you are quick enough to succeed at them. With each character in your party bringing a unique skill set to the table, Clair Obscur is a game that can be easy to learn but difficult to master. Moreover, each character’s skill set is in line with their backstories, making this a game that blends its narrative and gameplay together with style.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 DLC
There have been no announcements of DLC for the game at the time of writing. However, we will be sure to update this space in case that changes!
Editions
Sandfall Interactive offers up four editions of the game, with a range of different additions to each one on offer.
| Standard | Digital Deluxe | Lumiere | Collector’s | |
| Base Game | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Two equippable outfits | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steelbook | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Artbook | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Flowers Collection | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monolith Collectible | No | No | No | Yes |
However, Sandfall has since announced that an overwhelming response to its pilot project has exhausted its supply of the Collector’s and Lumiere editions of the game. Furthermore, you may want to check the availability of physical copies of the game in your specific region.
The Cast of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Gustave: An engineer/swordsman who is determined to stop The Paintress despite his own terror and personal losses, Gustave is voiced by Charlie Cox, whom you may know from Marvel’s Daredevil series.
- Lune: A mage who is as curious about The Paintress as she is determined to save Lumiere from extinction, Lune is brought to life by Kirsty Rider, who has appeared in shows like The Sandman and as the voice of Kuroki in Sloclap’s Sifu.
- Maelle: A young orphan who is Gustave’s adoptive sister, Maelle is a fiercely independent member of the Expedition. She is voiced by Jennifer English, whom you may know as Shadowheart from Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Sciel: A farmer who became a teacher, Sciel brings a calm and empathetic demeanour to the party in addition to being a talented combatant in the field. She is voiced by Shala Nyx, who has previously appeared in titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
- Verso: While his origins and motivations remain a mystery, Verso’s strange interest in Expedition 33’s adventures is sure to have more than a few good reasons. Ben Starr of Final Fantasy XVI fame brings this character to life in the game.
- Renoir: Another enigmatic member of the game’s cast, Renoir is voiced by Andy Serkis, an acclaimed presence in entertainment who needs no introduction.
Related Media
Sandfall has been busy in the many months since Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s announcement, publishing several trailers and behind-the-scenes footage from the game’s development on its official YouTube channel.
Moreover, the game’s unique visual signature and compelling story have already earned it a live-action film adaptation. That’s quite the achievement!
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out our review of Outworld Station or how the latest update on Star Wars Eclipse has thrilled its fans.
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With a passion for gaming that is equaled only by his love for writing, Varun has either a controller, keyboard, or a guitar in his hands when he is not out exploring the middle of nowhere on a motorcycle. Soulslikes, RPGs, and action-adventure titles keep him awake at night and get him out of bed in the morning. He will never stop lamenting the lack of a Bloodborne sequel even as he spends another couple of hours exploring the Lands Between in Elden Ring.
