It’s finally done. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is complete. After just over 40 hours, I’ve tackled the final boss and made my choice.
The game, for me, has gone from “does everything well, but I don’t really care”. To something engaging that left a lasting impression.
I’ve already done two parts of this review, where we’ve talked about how exceptional all the components are. But there was one thing missing. It finally came.
The Story
When a game looks great, sounds great and feels great. You’ve got a wonderful combination. However, in a game like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a JRPG, essentially. The expectation is that there’s an underlying narrative that grasps you.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 takes it time making any kind of emotional connection. Sure, there’s a key event at the end of Act 1 which felt a little forced. But I wasn’t moved. Act 2 was a significant chunk of time, but didn’t really move the emotional elements.
You have a great cast, an original concept and world. But the stakes never felt quite significant enough and the people of the world didn’t all make sense. It felt like something was missing, left unexplained.
And I was right. Act 3 is were it all becomes clear. The story turns from a generic “save the world” angle to something more substantial. Grief and reconciling with it, as individuals and as a family. It’s powerful, meaningful stuff and worthy of your attention.
It’s a shame it took 30+ hours to get to the point, but Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ultimately paid off from a story perspective. Even leaving you, the player with a world-shattering decision at the very end.
Change of Heart?
I’ve lamented in 2 full parts of this review about how I didn’t think Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could be a Game of the Year contender. I was wrong.
Not because I think it would have won our very prestigious GOTY here. But because it could absolutely have been a part of the conversation. The takeaway would have been the same as above though.
The game took too long to get me invested. Despite having best-in-class acting, combat and all the other great things it had going for it. I just could not engage with it on a level where I didn’t feel like it was dragging, for three quarters of the game.
Yes, it changed, and I ultimately loved it. But if I hadn’t committed to seeing it through for this review, I’m not convinced that I wouldn’t have just stopped playing.
I’m pleased I did, and I miss it now. But do the ends justify the means?
Overall
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is easily attaining out highest rating of “Exceptional”. Because it was exactly that. I left it in that melancholy state that only the best games leave you in. Sad it was over and that I would be moving on.
The combat is some of the finest RPG combat in modern gaming, without a doubt. Parries, dodges and jumps feel amazing when you’ve timed them perfectly. Building-up abilities, levelling-up weapons and working out team synergies. It’s brilliant.
An entire, original world with brilliant concepts and execution. Stunning character models and animations, tied with a stirring soundtrack and stellar voice acting.
Everyone was right about how good Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is. But it comes with the caveat that it may take a long time for you to connect with it on a deeper, more emotional level. Which can leave you wondering why you’re playing it, for quite some time.
Thankfully, for a JRPG-style of game, it took about 40 hours to finish and felt perfectly satisfying at that point.
Most people will likely engage more quickly with it than I did, and no doubt everyone agrees how good all of the component parts are individually.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is truly exceptional, and I’d recommend it to anyone.
