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[Draugoth]

Q: At what time does the Review Embargo for Clair Obscure 33 Drops?
A: The Review Embargo for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 drops at 2PM CST​

PS5

Get it at Amazon - $49.99
Get it at Best Buy - $49.99 (free $10 gift card)
Get it at GameStop - $49.99
Get it at Target - $49.99

Xbox Series X|S

Get it at Amazon - $49.99
Get it at Best Buy - $49.99 (free $10 gift card)
Get it at GameStop - $49.99
Get it at Target - $49.99

PC
Get it at Fanatical (Steam) - $39.99

Atarita - Alparslan Gürlek - Turkish - 75 / 100

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 creates a touching experience with its engaging plot, great narrative and excellent soundtrack, but its gamification problems hindered its potential.​

But Why Tho? - Arron Kluz - 7 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a competent new JRPG with which genre fans will likely be pleased. However, it does very little to iterate on the foundation laid by those that came before it. Instead, it's content to offer its flavor of what has worked before.​

CGMagazine - Chris De Hoog - 10 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a master-crafted RPG, blending several trends into a hybrid system that's as unrelenting as its heart-wrenching plot.​

Capsule Computers - Dustin Spencer - 9 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an ambitious take on an old genre that is just as gratifying to look at as it is to engage in. A new franchise is born.​

Cerealkillerz - Nick Erlenhof - German - 9.5 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a special role-playing game that is full of love and passion. It's beautiful, the soundtrack is a splendor, the battles always challenge you without being unfair or losing the fun and the story offers an unusually adult approach. With great acting performances, hard-hitting twists and all kinds of endgame content, you'll have fun for a long time. If you've ever planned to play an RPG, play this one.​

Checkpoint Gaming - Charlie Kelly - 10 / 10

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Blasting the door down and becoming an instant masterpiece classic, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 defies all expectations and ambitions and then some. Looking at decades of genre refinement and somehow still managing to innovate, creating immensely tactical, thought-provoking and rich combat is nothing short of a miracle achieved at the hands of Sandfall Interactive. Accompanying it is an entirely fresh and magnificent world full of wonders and beauty, even despite its intricate and often harrowing narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and so many RPGs that have come before it, the little expedition that could will be plastered across history with the greats. Bravo.​

Console-Tribe - Luca Saati - Italian - 90 / 100

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare gem — the kind of game that rekindles your love for the medium. With a deep combat system, a moving story, and a stunning artistic direction, it stands out in today's gaming landscape. It's not without flaws, especially in exploration, but what it achieves in emotion, design, and gameplay more than makes up for it. If you're looking for a JRPG-inspired experience with a bold artistic soul and heartfelt storytelling, this is a journey you won't want to miss.​

Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - Unscored

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Prior to my three hours of hands-on time playing this preview, I went in expecting Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to be an underdog, yet the deeper I delved into its mechanics and systems I came out thinking it had the potential to be one of 2025's standout titles.​

Digitale Anime - Raouf Belhamra - Arabic - 10 / 10

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"An adventure that stands proudly among the giants of the RPG genre."​

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an adventure that stands proudly among the giants of the RPG genre, despite being an independent project. It combines unique strategic combat, a moving narrative emotion, and stunning art direction inspired by Symbolist art of La Belle Époque. The game succeeds in creating an experience rich in meaning and deep mechanics without sacrificing the quality of the presentation or the narrative focus. Some technical flaws are present, but they do not overshadow the overall visual power.



GRYOnline.pl - Maciej Pawlikowski - Polish - 9.5 / 10

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If I were a teenager still, this game would ingrain itself into my brain the same way Final Fantasy VII did in 1997. Right now, when there are numerous predictions about the death of single player games, when creativity is shackled by the sales department, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a true gem worth every praise.​

Gamepressure - Giancarlo Saldana - 10 / 10

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Simply put, Sandfall Interactive's debut game is a masterclass in presentation, storytelling, and gameplay. It's a game you need to play to experience.​

Gamesource Italia - Fabio Valbonetti - Italian - 9 / 10

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Thanks to its setting, its fantastic combat system and its emotional story, Expedition 22 is one of the greatest game I've played in the past few year​

GamingBolt - Ravi Sinha - 9 / 10

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Paying homage to those that came before yet bursting with its own creativity, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a must-play title for RPG fans.​

Just Play it - Lamine BENYAHIA - Arabic - 9 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the most stunning surprises of this generation delivering a deep philosophical story set in a visually breathtaking world with gorgeous graphics and an addictive turn-based combat system! With its tense battles and unpredictable twists, it'll keep you on the edge of your seat. If you're looking for an experience that echoes the best of turn-based while adding modern and innovative touches then this game definitely deserves a spot on your must-play list.​

Kakuchopurei - Jonathan Toyad - 100 / 100

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Veterans will love the callbacks and tributes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 pays to its inspirations, and get a sublime experience out of it. Even if you're new to the genre, its narrative and unique world will draw you in, with its turn-based and combat mechanics spellbinding you like a world class French arthouse flick would to film critics.​

Très magnifique, une expérience merveilleuse, as they say.



Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 9.5 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feels truly unique and artistic, and reminds us how moving, exhilarating, and provocative big-budget adventure games can be.​

Manual dos Games - Juliana Barreira Barbosa - Portuguese - 10 / 10

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I have to admit, when I first saw the title, I was expecting a solid game inspired by classic JRPGs—but I never imagined the level of emotion and quality that Sandfall's debut would end up delivering. It's almost like the Final Fantasy XVII of our dreams. It features one of the best narratives I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing, with gameplay that's both engaging and addictive. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is, in many different ways, a masterpiece. When one falls, we continue.​

MondoXbox - Valerio Tosetti - Italian - 9.7 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is destined to become a classic, with a deep and well-written storyline, a spectacular soundtrack and top-notch graphics, along with a well-tuned combat system. One of the best JRPGs around.​

MonsterVine - James Carr - 4 / 5

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 not only deftly improves upon the idea of active turn-based combat, but delivers it in a gorgeous and realized world. The characters are incredible, it dodges some of the more grating aspects of turn-based RPGs, and delivers a mature, and at times haunting, story, without falling into the traps of too much violence for the sake of maturity. A big narrative turn flattens the experience, and a few too many rough edges keep it from masterpiece status, but it is still an incredible experience.​

One More Game - Vincent Ternida - 10 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a resounding triumph from Sandfall Interactive. It delivers a refreshingly bold RPG experience that stands out in a genre often crowded with titles that miss the mark. With meticulous balance, the game offers a blend of old meets new while crafting a tightly woven narrative alongside an excellent turn-based combat system that is simple to learn and strategically deep.​

Oyungezer Online - Eren Eryürekli - Turkish - 10 / 10

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Expedition 33 is magnificent in every possible way. I was in love with it whole time and while playing I've became so engaged with characters and the story surround them I forgot the flow of time entirely. This is clearly the future for JRPG's and it's sense of scale is outstanding. Definitely a classic for years to come.​

PSX Brasil - Bruno Henrique Vinhadel - Portuguese - 90 / 100

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Masterful in artistic and narrative aspects and with an impeccable soundtrack, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the best surprises of the year and stands out positively in a market that has started to charge too much for experiences that don't deliver what they should.​

Push Square - Liam Croft - 9 / 10

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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.​

Quest Daily - Shaun Fullard - 9.5 / 10

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Expedition 33 is a game that spoke to my soul. I quickly fell in love with this awe-inspiring yet melancholic world and the survivors left in it, and even though it tore my heart to shreds multiple times, I'd happily do it all over again.​

RPGamer - Ryan Costa - 5 / 5

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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.​

Restart.run - Logan Woerner - 4 / 5

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After a swift 30 hours with the game, I will happily tell you how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 exceeded my expectations and left me curious for more.​

SavePoint Gaming - Zhiqing Wan - 7 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may be predictable at times, but it's bolstered by its excellent voice cast and compelling turn-based combat.​

Sirus Gaming - Erickson Melchor - 10 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a rare triumph for such a small studio. The devs at Sandfall Interactive aimed for the stars, and they delivered a game that JRPG fans have always wanted from a Western studio. I can't recommend this game enough.​

Spaziogames - Domenico Musicò - Italian - Unscored

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could really be the JRPG that 90s nostalgics wanted so much to have in its most evolved and not excessively contaminated form. All the elements seem to be in the right place, and although it is not one of the most expensive productions (which is a good thing), the potential to do things in a big way is quite evident.​

TechRaptor - Erren Van Duine - 9 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a milestone achievement for Sandfall Interactive. Fans of turn-based RPGs should be right at home with its traditional stylings tuned for a modern age, and while difficulty can ramp up without warning, the challenge of getting through each battle makes it all worthwhile.​

The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 10 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a masterful RPG. It brings a stunning art style that stays front and center while revamping a classic combat system into something engaging and accessible. It's an easy contender for GOTY and a terrific debut for Sandfall Interactive.​

VDGMS - Darren Andrew - 9.5 / 10

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Final Fantasy, Persona, Chrono Trigger are just some of the inherent influences, but it was the inspiration from Sekiro and the French heritage of Sandfall Interactive that made Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 feel like the dawn of a new era of turn-based RPG's, as it equally pays tribute to those who came before, as much as it innovates for those who will come after.​

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a breath of fresh air because it prioritizes a compelling vision over following trends. It doesn't resort to witty sarcasm in its dialogue or try to capitalize on current popular settings for the story, and there isn't an attempt to infuse the latest real-time gameplay gimmicks. Sandfall have made a bold decision, especially considering it's their debut title, to deviate from modern RPG conventions. Trends don't age well, but artistic vision does and Expedition 33 has all the markings of becoming a timeless classic.



WellPlayed - Mark Isaacson - 9.5 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a confident new IP, bold in its execution and not afraid to mix old and new ideas. It's a stunning achievement, born from passion and raised within technical excellence equal to the best in the business. Go in unspoiled and be ready for a truly rewarding experience.​

XGN.nl - Luuc ten Velde - Dutch - 9.4 / 10

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Sandfall Interactive delivers an impressive first game with this turn-based RPG that channels JRPG's like Persona and Final Fantasy. The game tells a fantastic story and offers stunning visuals to boot.​

Xbox Tavern - Jamie Collyer - 10 / 10

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As you can hopefully tell, I absolutely adore Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It's the first game in some time that I've found myself utterly lost in, so much so that I genuinely did not want to put the controller down. Any minor gripes there might be to have (some areas can get a little confusing to navigate at times, though none are so big that it remains a problem for long) are easily outnumbered by the sheer brilliance of the full product from start to finish. Combat, presentation, exploration, story; it's all so damn good that I cannot recommend highly enough that you go play this game. We've still got a long way to go this year, and a few big hitters to come, but man, it'll take something special to give Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a run for its money.​

XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 9.5 / 10

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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a beautifully inventive, heart-breaking experience of love, loss, and the will to survive​

Zoomg - Afshin Piroozi - Persian - 9 / 10

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All in all, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as one of the biggest surprises of 2025 so far — a title that boasts a deep, unpredictable story, meticulously crafted gameplay and combat systems, and top-tier visual and audio presentation. This game isn't just for fans of turn-based RPGs; it has the potential to impress anyone who appreciates high-quality experiences. Even if you're not typically drawn to turn-based games, I highly recommend giving this polished gem a try — it's well worth investing at least 30 hours of your playtime.​

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Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 92 average - 96% recommended

Metacritic - 92 average based on 30 critic reviews



​

 

[Dynasty8]

Sleeper hit of 2025.

 

[Efren is G.O.A.T.]

I selected 85-89 but I really hope for 90+

 

[Certinty]

I hope i'm wrong but I feel people may be far too optimistic on this one.

80-84 I say, which honestly would be a great score anyway.

 

[Metnut]

It's going to need 85+ after dirty Microsoft is taking a crow bar to this game's knees.

Everything I've seen looks great, so I think it has a shot to review really well.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Kind of wild that they didn't put out a demo.

 

[Topher]

The thing that strikes me the most is the superb character design. Charismatic characters entice gamers to play the games just like they bring folks to movie theaters. Really hope this game is a slam dunk so the rests of the industry will take notice.

 

[Punished Miku]

It's going to need 85+ after dirty Microsoft is taking a crow bar to this game's knees.

Compete or find another job.

 

[Draugoth]

My guess is 85/100

Oblivion is going to eclipse everything for the next 2 weeks

 

[Gilgalaad]

Solid 85.

 

[clarky]

This looks great but after the last round of previews I don't think it will live up to everyone's lofty expectations. Hope I'm wrong, high 70's I think.

 

[Thief1987]

Not sure why there is so much anticipation around this game. I expect that it will get your typical low 80 and that's it.

 

[near]

I think this is going to review really well. Provided it is stable and runs well, and has a moderately compelling story for an RPG, I'm anticipating 90+.

Not that reviews mean much anyway, I've already got my pre-order.

 

[Mortisfacio]

I'm going with 83, but I'd like to see higher. Unless it gets low 70s or less, I'll play it regardless.

 

[SupaComputa]

Not sure why there is so much anticipation around this game. I expect that it will get your typical low 80 and that's it.

Anticipation is because the game looks good, I don't think people are excited based on what they believe the IGN score will be.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

Is a french game right?

 

[Branded]

Not sure why there is so much anticipation around this game. I expect that it will get your typical low 80 and that's it.

But that's... very good?

 

[R3TRO]

78 but I'd love to be wrong.

 

[HRK69]

You can't beat an OP that looks this good

 

[Topher]

Not sure why there is so much anticipation around this game. I expect that it will get your typical low 80 and that's it.

Why wouldn't there be anticipation about this game?

 

[Thief1987]

But that's... very good?

Good enough, but there is a dozen of games of this caliber release every week. So it's returning to my original statement that I'm not sure why this particular game is anticipated.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Low 80s would be my guess.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

90-94 baybeh

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

89

 

[Fbh]

I think it will get low 80s.
My guess is it will be overall good but with a few rough edges and some AA jank.

Really looking forward to it, it's been a while since I've been this excited about a new IP

 

[Itchy Tickles]

I voted for 75-79. I think I will personally really enjoy this game, but for some reason I get this feeling it won't review too high, even though I would rate it higher. Just a weird hunch. I'll be playing it regardless, looks great.

 

[Tg89]

Hope I'm wrong but feel like this will be a low-mid 70s. Feeling a 74 meta.

 

[Hyet]

I'd say 79 to 84

 

[N0S]

Sleeper hit of 2025.

Thats Silent Hill 2 Remake for Xbox.

 

[moogman]

It looks great but I'm a bit worried about the bits I've read about the combat. A QTE to defend on every battle might get a bit much.

I'm hoping for 80+

 

[Fbh]

I voted for 75-79. I think I will personally really enjoy this game, but for some reason I get this feeling it won't review too high, even though I would rate it higher. Just a weird hunch. I'll be playing it regardless, looks great.

Yeah it's one of those games I could see going either way.
What they have shown looks awesome but specially with this being a new studio there's a lot off uncertainty.

Like the story premise is really cool but we don't yet know if there's a compelling narrative beyond that.
The combat looks fun but it's going to need good enemy, encounter and ability variety to remain fun for 30 hours
The levels look visually great but we don't yet know how fun and rewarding they are to explore, etc


I really hope they nail it because the game looks awesome IMO. But I could see a reality where it falters in some areas.

 

[sigmaZ]

Looks like a 70-75 game. Not expecting too much. Might be fun to play for a few hours and drop like most new Gamepass titles.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

I'm guessing low 80s, but cult classic. Similar to Lost Odyssey, which is a high I've never stopped chasing.

 

[Mr Moose]

Compete or find another job.

 

[Success]

Solid 84

The Anti-Woke mob will boost this games score.

 

[Mercador]

Team 76

 

[Hyet]

Solid 84

The Anti-Woke mob will boost this games score.

Why?

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

Solid 84

The Anti-Woke mob will boost this games score.

What media qualifies as "anti-woke mob"?

Not that I expect much sense out of this, though.

 

[Thabass]

Gonna be safe and say high 80's. That said, I hope it's in the high 90's. The game looks so good.

 

[Caffeine]

92 its gonna be the homerun jrpg's needed.

 

[Draugoth]

Embargo lifts at 2pm CST

I will be unavable at the time so dont complain if i dont update the thread immediately

 

[Mr Hyde]

Fingers crossed for a high meta followed by strong sales. Game looks excellent. I'm rooting for you France

 

[Arachnid]

I'm guessing high 70s. I have low expectations from previews, but I'm hoping for the best.

Also Charlie Cox as lead dude is GOATed

 

[sigmaZ]

I'm guessing high 70s. I have low expectations from previews, but I'm hoping for the best.

Also Charlie Cox as lead dude is GOATed

You a big fan of Cox, eh?

 

[Loboxxx]

I hope Bethesda's trick doesn't ruin the release of this game, that would be very sad.

80-90 easy

 

[Arachnid]

You a big fan of Cox, eh?

I'm also a huge helicopter fan, Black Hawks are the best

 

[xenosys]

An 85+ score would be excellent for a first time dev, but probably going to fall somewhere between 82 and 84.

It's unfortunate that Oblivion has been released this week, because Clair Obscure would have had the floor to themselves to mop up all the attention.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Hope it does great since we need more games like this, but man, poor game has a lot of chances of being buried under Oblivion.

 

[Hideous Snake]

Going with 86

 

[Phear]

100.